CIVIL ENGINEERING DRAWING

STAIR CASE
STAIRS AND STAIR CASES

A series of steps which provides access from one

floor to another is called a stair and the part of
the building accommodating the stair is known
as stair case.

A stair may be constructed with steps either

rising continuously or with a break in the form
of landing in between.

All the steps should be so designed and

constructed that up and down movements from
one floor to another can be made with ease,
comfort, quickness and safety.
 The stairs may be consisting of any suitable
material such as timber, bricks, stones, steel,
reinforced cement concrete etc.

The provision of a stair in a building is essential

for the movements of inmates from one floor to
another floor or roof of that building.

Now-a-days, in most modern residential and

public buildings of multi-storey nature, a lift
system is provided for convenience and quick
movements of the users from one floor to the
other. In such buildings too, a stair is essential
for the movements of the users in case of failure
of the lift system due to some mechanical defect
or non-supply of electric power.
 IMPORTANT TECHNICAL TERMS
Step:- The combination of a tread and a riser supported by a string is
called a step.

Tread:- The horizontal top surface of a step on which foot is placed

while going up or coming down a stair is known as tread.

Riser:- The vertical face of a step is called riser.

Going or run:- The horizontal distance between any two adjacent

risers in a stair is called going or run.

Rise:- The vertical distance between any two adjacent treads in a stair
is called rise.
 Bull-nose step:- The step with one or both ends
rounded is known as bull nose step. This type of step is
generally provided at the bottom of a flight and is
always projecting beyond the face of the newel post.

Nosing:- The projecting edge of a tread beyond its riser

in a step is called nosing. The line joining nosing of all
steps in a flight is known as line of nosing.

Pitch or slope:- The angle between the line of nosing

and the floor or landing is called pitch or slope of a stair.
o String or stringer:- The inclined support to which
the ends of treads and risers of a stair are fastened
is called a string or stringer.

o Hand rail:- As inclined member at a convenient

height projecting above steps of a stair to provide
assistance and safe-guard to the users is called
hand rail.

o Balusters:- The vertical members provided in

between the steps and the hand rail are called
balusters. These members act as intermediate
supports to the hand rail.

o Newel or newel post:- The posts provided at the

bottom, top and all the turning points in a stair to
support the hand rail are known as newel or newel
posts.
Soffit:- The under surface of a stair is called soffit.

Flier:- A step of uniform width is called flier. This type of step is

rectangular in plan. Such steps are always preferred even
at turning points of a stair as they are safe for quick
movements of the uses.

Winder:- A step of non-uniform width is known as winder. This

type of step is usually triangular in plan. Such steps are
only provided for changing the direction of a stair and
should be avoided as far as possible since they are
dangerous for quick movement of the users.

Landing:- The horizontal platform provided in between any two

flights of a stair is called landing. The landing which
provides 90 turn in the layout of a stair is known as
quarter space landing and if the turn is through 180, it is
called half-space landing
Flight:- A series of steps without any break in
between is known as flight.

Head room:- The height between the line of

nosing to the soffit of a flight or ceiling of
roof immediately above is called head
room.

Width of a stair case:- The width of

enclosure accommodating the stair in a
building is called width of stair case. It
depends upon the layout and width of the
stair.
Riser and Tread:
The height covered in one step of a stair is called riser.
Width or horizontal platform required for one step of stair
is called treat or going.
For public buildings, riser is usually made equal to 6-in
while the tread is kept equal to 12-in.
Number of risers = Height to be covered in inches
Riser in inches
 Flight of Stairs
A series of stair-steps arranged
together usually in a single line
is called a flight.
Maximum number of steps in a
single flight must not exceed 12
to 15.
Number of treads in a flight of
stair is always one lesser than
the number of risers because
the top horizontal surface
serves the purpose of one tread.
Number of steps required for a
stair may be found out as
follows:
 Landing in Stairs
The horizontal platform provided between two flights of a
stair is called landing.
 REQUIREMENTS OF A GOOD STAIR

It
must be well designed so as to provide
maximum comfort, ease and safety.

It should be centrally located in a building.

All the steps should have uniform width and

height.
It must be constructed of sound materials.

It should have good workmanship.

It must be properly ventilated and lighted.

 PRINCIPLES TO BE OBSERVED WHILE
PLANNING AND DESIGNING A STAIR

1. Pitch of the stair:- The pitch or slope of the stair

should not be more than 40 and should not be less than
25 for comfortable ascend and descend.

2. Width of stair:- The width of a stair must not be less

than 0.85 m so that a person going up can pass a person
coming down without any difficulty. The minimum width
of stair in a residential building should be 1.05 m
whereas in case of a public building, a minimum width of
1.5 m is desirable.

3. Length of flight:- The number of steps in a flight

should not be more than 15 otherwise it becomes difficult
to move up and down the flight. The minimum number
of steps in a flight should be 3.
4. Width of landing:- The width of landing should not be
less than the width of its stair case.

5. Head room:- An adequate head-room must be provided.

It should not be less than 2.1 m.

6. Winders:- They should be avoided as far as possible.

But they are to be provided when the area of staircase is
limited. In such case, winders should be placed at the
lower end of a flight. In a quarter space i.e 90 turn, only
three winders should be provided.

7. Hand rails and balustrades:- A stair should be

provided with a hand rail along with balustrades to
provide assistance, comfort and safety to the users. The
height of hand rail should neither be more than 0.85 m
nor less than 0.75m.
8. Materials:- The stair should be constructed
from sound materials preferably of fire resisting
quality. It should be constructed of R.C.C.
according to building bye-laws being followed in
the locality.

9. Location:- The staircase should be located in

such a position that it is easily and quickly
approached. A central position in a building
would be ideal. Both light and ventilation
should be available especially at turning points.
In a residential building, the stair should be
located near the main entrance and screened
from outside for privacy. In public buildings, it
should preferably be located obvious from the
main entrance.
CLASSIFICATION OF STAIRS
ACCORDING TO THEIR
LAYOUT
PROF. DR. LIAQAT ALI QURESHI
PLAN
SECTION
ELEVATION