STAIR

CONSTRUCTION
GROUP 3
BLDTEC2
STAIRS
Are Series of steps, each elevated a measured
distance, leading from one level of a structure
to another

Main stairways are usually installed until after

interior wall surfaces are complete and finish
flooring or underlayment has been laid.

Basement stairs should not be installed until

the concrete floor has been placed.
TYPES OF STAIRS
Two stair categories:

1. Service stairs
2. Main stairs

Either of these may be

closed, open, or a
combination of open and
closed.
Platform/Landing: Horizontal
section between two flights of
stairs.

Straight run: Stairway that does

not change direction. Easiest to
build. A long run of 12 to 16 steps
has the disadvantage of being
tiring.

Stairwell: The rough opening in

the floor above to provide
headroom for stairs.
STAIR PARTS
Riser: The vertical stair member between two
consecutive stair treads.

Tread: Horizontal walking surface of a stair.

Unit rise: The height of the stair riser; the

vertical distance between two treads.

Unit run: The width of a stair tread minus the

nosing.

Headroom: The clear space between the floor

line and ceiling.
STAIRWELL
FRAMING
Figure 18-7. When a closet is
located directly above the
stairway, the closet floor is
sometimes raised for additional
headroom.
STAIR DESIGN Most important in stair design is the
mathematical relationship between the
riser and tread.

Sizes:

Riser: 0.15m - 0.20m

Tread: 0.28m - 0.30m

Railing: 0.9m
 0.03m

0.3m 0.26m 0.23m

0.16m 0.18m 0.20m

STAIR CALCULATIONS
Sample calculation: 2.60 meters high

1. Calculate the number of steps that will be needed

Considering an ideal riser of 18 cm, the height of the space is divided by the

height of each step. The result should always be rounded up:

260/18 = 14.44 = 15 steps

2. Calculate the height of each riser

The height of the space is divided by the number of steps that we have just

obtained:

260/15 = 17.33 cm height for each riser

3. Calculate the width of the tread

Apply the Blondel formula:

(2 x 17.33 cm) + (1 x tread) = 64

Each tread will measure 29.34 cm

* The resulting staircase will have 15 steps of 29.34 cm of tread and 17.33
cm of riser
STAIRWELL LENGTH TABLE
TREADS & RISERS
The thickness of a main stair tread is generally 0.02m.

Hardwood or softwoods may be used.

Nosing: The part of a stair tread that projects beyond the riser.
TYPES OF STRINGERS
1. Built-up stringer:
● Simplest type
● Formed by attaching cleats on
which the tread can rest.
● Often used for basement stairs
2. Cut-out stringer:

● Rise and run are cut

● Commonly constructed for
either main or service stairs
● Prefabricated
3. Housed stringer:

● Edges of the steps are covered

with a board.
● A popular type of stair
construction
● Prefabricated
4. Mono Stringers:

● Uses a single ‘beam-like’ stringer

that supports the center of the
treads from the bottom.
● There are no risers
OTHER KINDS OF STAIRS
1. Winder Stairs

Conditions are frequently regarded as

undesirable.

Use of winder stairs may sometimes be

necessary where space is limited.
2. Open Stairs: Open on one or both sides. Requires decorative enclosure and
support for a handrail.

Working Knowledge: Main purpose of balusters is to prevent anyone, children

especially, from slipping under the railings and falling to the floor below.
3. Spiral Stairways

Metal spiral stairways eliminate framing

and save space.

Use of spiral stairs is often restricted by

building codes.

Some codes permit use of a spiral

stairway for exits in private dwellings in
some situations where area served is not
more than 400 square feet.
4. Disappearing Stair Units

Operates through an opening in

the ceiling and swing up into the
attic space when not in use.

When a disappearing stair unit is

used to provide attic access, the
attic floor should be designed for
regular floor loading.
REFERENCE:
https://www.g-w.com/pdf/sampchap/9781590706480_ch18.pdf

https://www.archdaily.com/892647/how-to-make-calculations-for-staircase-designs

https://theconstructor.org/building/staircase-stringer-types-procedure/32712/