04.

STAIRCASE
a) Elements of staircase
b) Types of staircases
c) Relationship between rise and tread of a stair
 STAIRCASE

STAIR & STAIRCASE

• STAIRS: are the medium that connects
two different horizontal levels.
• A STAIR is a set of steps leading from one
floor to the other.
• It is provided to afford the means of
ascent and descent between various
floors of the building.
• The room or enclosure of the building, in
which the stair is located, is known as
STAIRCASE .
• A STAIR is the rhythmic arrangement of
treads and risers that are so designed to
provide access to different floors with
comfort and ease.
• The opening or space occupied by the
stair is known as a STAIRWAY.
 STAIRCASE
• In a domestic building the stairs should be centrally located to provide
easy access to all rooms.
• In public buildings, stairs should be located near the entrance.
• Stairs may be constructed by timber, bricks, stone, steel or reinforced
cement concrete.
• Staircases provide access and communication between floors in multi-
storey buildings, and are a path by which fire can spread from one floor
to another.
• Staircase, therefore, must be enclosed by fire resisting walls, floors,
ceiling and doors. It is desirable that the linings to the walls and the
ceilings are non- combustible and of low flame spread.
• Another important aspect in the design of stairs is the strength aspect.
It must be designed to carry certain loads, which are similar to those
used for the design of floor.
Staircase Terminology
 STAIRCASE
• TREAD: It is the upper surface of a
step on which the foot is placed
during ascend or descend.
• GOING: it is the horizontal distance
between two successive riser faces.
• RISER: it is the vertical member
between two successive treads.
• RISE: it is the vertical distance
between two successive tread
faces.
• NOSING: it is the projecting part of
tread beyond the facing of the
riser.
• SCOTIA: is a moulding provided
under nosing to beautify the
elevation of the steps and to add
the strength to the nosing.
Staircase Terminology
Staircase Terminology

Scotia

Rise & Going must stay the same within flight

 STAIRCASE

 FLIGHT: this is defined as an unbroken

series of steps between landings.

 LANDING: it is the level platform at the

top or bottom of a flight between the
floors. A landing facilitates change of
direction and provides an opportunity for
taking rest during the use of the stair.

 HEADROOM: is a clear vertical distance

between the tread of a step and the soffit
of the flight or the ceiling of a landing
immediately over it.

 PITCH: is the angle of the stair from the

horizontal.

 WINDERS: are tapering steps that are

provided for changing the direction of
stair.

 SOFFIT: is the under surface of a stair.

Staircase Terminology

Min Headroom Landing

Total rise
Landing Pitch line
Pitch

Total going
 Flights
1 Flight 2 Flights

Straight Open Riser Dogleg Closed Riser

 STAIRCASE

 STRINGS AND STRINGERS: these are the

slopping members which support the
steps in a stair. They run along the slope
of the stair.
 NEWEL POST: newel post is a vertical
member which is placed at the ends of
flights to connect the ends of strings and
hand rail.

 BALUSTER: it is vertical member of wood

or metal, supporting the handrail.

 HAND RAIL: it is the surrounded or

moulded member of wood or metal fixed
on the top of balusters.

 BALUSTRADE: it consists of handrail,

balusters, and newel post. Provides
protection for the user
 STAIRCASE

HALF SPACE LANDING

•Change stair direction 180⁰

•Landing width = width of stair
•Used in Dogleg Stairs
 STAIRCASE

QUARTER SPACE LANDING

•Change Stair Direction 90⁰

•Landing Width & Length = Stair Width
•Forms Quarter Turn Stair
 STAIRCASE

INTERMEDIATE LANDING

•Allows the Stair to continue in same direction

•Required where more than 16 Risers
•May be used to give a rest
•Width = Stair Width
•Length = Stair Width or greater
 STAIRCASE

Requirements of a good staircase:

A well-planned and designed stair should provide an easy, quick and safe
mode of communication between the various floors.
1.Location- should be at such place where there is sufficient light and
ventilation; could be centrally located so as to be easily accessible from
the different corners of the building.
2.Width- varies according to the situation and the purpose for which it is
provided
public building- 1.2 to 1.8 m residential building- 0.8m to 0.9m ( avg.)
3.Length of flight- should have no fewer than 3 steps and no maximum
than 12.
4.Pitch of stair- should be made flatter by introducing landings to make the
ascent less exhausting and less hazardous. In general, it shouldn’t
exceed 40 degree and not flatter than 25 degree.
5.Headroom- i.e. clear distance between the tread and soffit of the flight
immediately above it; should not be less than 2m.
 STAIRCASE

6. Materials- should preferably constructed of materials that

possess fire- resisting qualities.
7. Balustrade- should be provided specially in open well stairs to
avoid and minimize accidents.
8.Landing- width of landing should not be less than the width of
the stair.
9.Winders- should be avoided, however should be kept at lower
end of flight only; not suitable for public buildings.
10.Step proportion- the rise and tread of each step in one flight and
in flights and landing between floors should be rhythmic;
should be proportioned to ensure a comfortable access to
the stairway.
11.Local fire and building codes should be checked for fire exit
stair requirements.
 2.0 m headroom

Landing

Handrail

Pitch line

Landing
Width of Staircase

900mm

900mm

900mm
The width of every staircase shall not
be less than 900 mm
The width is measured from the inner
side of the wall, balustrade or handrail.
Risers & Treads
The height of a riser shall not be more
than 175 mm.

The width of a tread shall not be less

than 250 mm.

Riser The risers and treads within each flight

max 175mm of stairs shall be of uniform height and
size.

Tread
min 250mm
Landings of Staircase

A landing shall be provided at every

floor level .
min 900mm
An intermediate landing shall be
provided in between floor levels at
intervals of not more than 16 risers.

The length of any intermediate

landing, measured in the direction
of travel, shall not be less than 900
mm.

min 900mm
Handrail

• A handrail shall be provided on at

least one side of the flight of
• staircase.

• The height of the handrail shall be

between 750 mm and 900 mm
above the pitch line.
Handrail
• A handrail need not be provided for
a flight of not more than 5 steps.

• A handrail may terminate at the

Between landing and the ends of the
750mm – handrail should be properly formed
900mm or rounded off so that they do not
Pitch line pose a danger to the user.
Protection from falling
The height of a barrier shall not be less
than 900mm

Barrier The size of any opening or gap in a

barrier shall not be large enough as to
1o0mm permit the passage of a sphere of a
diameter of 100 mm.

Any triangular opening or void formed

around a tread, riser and the bottom
150mm edge of the barrier, the size of any
opening or gap shall not be large
enough as to permit the passage of a
sphere of a diameter of 150 mm

Pitch line
After a maximum of 12 risers an intermediate landing should be provided.

Staircases of widths wider than 2300 mm should be separated by a handrail into

segments.
 STAIRCASE

TYPES OF STAIRCASE
STAIRCASE
STAIRCASE
STAIRCASE
STAIRCASE
one side is closed while the other is open
STAIRCASE

Double Open Sided Stairs

Classification of Stair
 STAIRCASE

ACCORDING TO THE MATERIALS

TIMBER STAIRS:
 these stairs are light in weight
and easy to construct
 But they have very poor fire
resistance.
 They are used only for small
rise residential buildings.
 Sometimes, fire resisting hard
wood of proper thickness may
be used.
STAIRCASE
BRICK STAIRS:
 These are not very common, except at the entrance.
 However, brick stairs of single straight flight are
often made in village houses.
 The stairs consist of either solid wall, or also, arched
openings may be left for obtaining storage space.
 The brick steps need frequent maintenance, so,
these are faced with stone slabs or cement-
plastered at the top of treads and sides of risers.
 STAIRCASE
STONE STAIRS:
 These are widely used at places where stone is readily available.
 Stone stairs are quite strong and rigid, though they are very heavy.
 Stone used for construction of stairs should be hard, strong and
resistant to wear.
 STAIRCASE

CONCRETE STAIRS:
 these are the stairs widely
used for residential, public
and industrial buildings.
 They are strong, hard and
fire resisting.
 These are usually cast-in –
situ
 Sometimes may be precast.
 a wide variety of finishes can
be used on these.
 STAIRCASE
METALLIC STAIRS:

 Stairs of mild steel or cast iron

are used only as emergency
stairs.
 They are not common in
residential and public buildings,
though they are strong and fire
resistant.
 These are commonly
used in factories, go-downs,
workshops, etc.
STAIRCASE

 GLASS STAIRS:
Feature Staircase at Lobby, New Majestic Hotel, Singapore

COMBINATION OF MATERIALS
STAIRCASE
ACCORDING TO THE CONFIGURATIONS-
1. STRAIGHT FLIGHT STAIRS
2. 2. TURNING STAIRS
a. QUARTER TURN
b. DOG-LEG / HALF TURN
c. OPEN NEWEL / OPEN WELL
d. BIFURCATED
3. CONTINUOUS STAIRS
a. GEOMETRICAL
b. CIRCULAR
c. SPIRAL
d. HELICAL
 STAIRCASE
Straight Flight Staircase

Common or simplest type of stair

that provides direct connection to
the upper floor without a turn.
Used mostly to form an access to
entrance porch or portico.
Used in places where staircase hall
is long, narrow and other form of
stair may not be practically possible.
All the steps are in the same
direction.
If the ascending is steep,
intermediate landing may be
introduced.
 STAIRCASE
Straight two-flight stair
with half-landing

Length of Intermediate landing

should equal the stair width up
to 4’-0”.

Intermediate landings are

introduced to lessen the fatigue
factor.
STAIRCASE

2. TURNING STAIRS
a. QUARTER TURN.
b. DOG-LEG / HALF TURN
c. OPEN NEWEL / OPEN WELL
d. BIFURCATED
 STAIRCASE
Quarter-turn stair with landing

Two straight flights at 90 degrees

with quarter space landing.
A stair which changes its
direction either to the left or to
the right
The turn being affected by
introducing a quarter space
landing or a winders.
Types:
•Newel quarter turn
•Geometrical quarter turn.
 STAIRCASE
Half turn stairs

Two straight flights

at 180
degrees turn with mid landing.

Consumes less space and is

mostly used in the residential
buildings.

A level landing is placed across

the two flights at the change of
direction.
Types:
•Dog legged stair
•Open newel half turn stair
•Geometrical half turn stair
 STAIRCASE
Open newel/ open well stair

• Two or more than two straight

flights arranged around a well(
space).

• The space between two flights vary

from 15cm to 100 cm

• The intermediate short flight has 3

to 6 steps with quarter space
landing on its either side.

• Used when length of stair room is

limited.
Open newel/ Open well stair
 Bifurcated stair

• The flights are so arranged that

there is a wide flight at the start
that is sub-divided into narrow
flights at the mid-landing.

• The two flights start from either

side of the mid-landing.

• Commonly used in public

building
 3. CONTINUOUS STAIRS
Stairs that do not have any landing or any intermediate newel post.

1. GEOMETRICAL STAIR

2. CIRCULAR STAIR

3. SPIRAL STAIR

4. HELICAL STAIR
Geometrical stair

• The stringers and the hand rails

are continuous without any
newel post intervening.

• Similar to open newel stairs

but the well is curved and some
steps are in form of winders.

• May be either with half space

landing or without any landing.
Circular stair with central well

• Used when less space is available.

• Commonly used as service access

provided at the backside of the various
floors.

• Steps radiate from a newel post or well

hole in the form of winders.

• Landing platforms always occur in 90

degrees quadrant section.

• Curvilinear configuration makes it

appealing.
Spiral stair with central column

• All steps are in winders.

• Used where there is limited

space.
Helical stair

• Structurally complex.

• Aesthetically appealing
CALCULATION
 Design of stair
• It is the calculation of number of steps with the presumption of
comfortable access to desired floor.
• The size of the steps should be assumed in such a way that the
stair can be accommodated in the given space with highest level
of comfort.
• Stair is the center of focus in building & attention should be given
for comfort and aesthetic beauty.
• Relation between riser and tread is the governing factor in
staircase design.
• Other factors are; Height, Space of stair well, Width, Geometrical
configuration.
 Ideal requirements of stair

• Step proportions
• T + 2R = 60-64 cm
• T * R = 400-426 cm2
• T + R = 40-45 cm
• Adopt standard size of going/riser as 300/150
respectively and for each 25mm reduced from going
add 12-13mm to riser.
• Standard values
• For residential building: T = 22-27 cm, R = 15-17 cm
• For public building: T = 25-30 cm, R = 10-15 cm
• Usual sizes of steps: (R X T)
• For public buildings ranges from 10x30 cm to15x25 cm
• For residential building ranges from15x27 to 17x22cm.
 Dimension for Stair (IS Code)

Types of bldg. Riser (mm) Tread (mm) Slope Unobstructed

width of
stair
Min. Opt. Max. Min. Opt Max Opt. Max Min. (mm)
.
Residential 100 175 190 225 250 350 350 420 800

Semi-public 100 165 190 250 275 350 310 380 1000
(Factory, office,
school, shop)
Public 100 150 180 280 300 350 270 330 1000
(cinema, theatre, 1200 for hospitals
stadium,
hospitals)
Procedure of design of Stair
• Given the level difference between two floors (ceiling height plus
thickness of floor slab).
• Assume the types of building and stair and accordingly the size of
riser(R).
• Find the number of risers by NR = (level difference/size of riser).
• Find the number of treads by NT = (NR - 1).
• Assume the size of tread (T).
• Assume the width of the stair.
• Consider the size of landing (L) equal to width of stair.
• Assume the entry space (E), generally equal to landing).
• Find the total length of stair = (NT * T) + L +E.
• Adjust the size of riser and tread if required.

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PROBLEMS
• Design a dog legged staircase for a residential building in a lobby
of 4.5 m X2.1 m and floor height 3.0 m. Assume the necessary
data. Draw a neat sketch to support your design.

• Design a suitable staircase for a residence in an external space of

5000 mm X 2500 mm. The thickness of wall is 230mm, structural
slab is 100 mm and the floor to ceiling height of the building is
2900 mm. support your answer with appropriate sketches.

• Design a suitable staircase for a space of 4800mm X 4000mm

dedicated for a staircase well in an office building. The height
between floors is 3300mm. Support your design with plan and
section.

• The inside dimensions of staircase are 2.6mX 5.2m. The ceiling

height is 2.85m and RCC slab thickness be 150mm. Design a
appropriate RCC staircase for the space and provide neat figures.
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PROBLEMS
• Design a suitable staircase for a stair hall of a public building,
which measures 4.25m X 5.25m. The vertical distance between
the floors is 3.9m. Support your design with required figures.

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