Stair Tread Specifications & Defects

The stair treads shown in our photo are very dangerous not only because they are pitched and

loose, but because there is danger of stairway collapse.

The stair inspector should be asking: "What caused this weird movement and who made these

goofy repairs?"

Stair Step Treads

Step tread depth (=> 10") (measured 12" from smaller side of irregular stair shapes such

as triangular treads on curves or spirals)

Step tread depth uniformity (<= 3/8" variation)

Stair tread depth for winder stairs (>= 6" at smallest point)

Stair tread uniformity for winder stairs at the 12" walk-line (<= 3/8" variation)

Stair tread slope (out of level on walking surface) - (slope or "rise" must be <= 1 in 48) --

Source: IRC

The previously hidden danger on these stair treads was that someone, trying to make the stairs

more safe, installed rubber stair tread covers that projected past a broken stair tread nose.

The stair treads looked fine but someone stepping on the un-supported edge of the stair tread

cover simply broke it away and fell down the stairs.

Another Stair Code Example - Source BOCA 2001.

Stair riser heights shall be 7 inches (178 mm) maximum and 4 inches (102 mm)

minimum.

Stair tread depths shall be 11 inches (279 mm) minimum. The riser height shall be

measured vertically between the leading edges of adjacent treads. The stair tread depth

shall be measured horizontally between the vertical planes of the foremost projection of

adjacent treads and at right angle to the tread's leading edge.

Stair Step Tread Nose Projection Requirements & Stair Code Citations

Tread nose projection past vertical riser below (3/4" to 1 1/2") required on stairs with

solid risers (exceptions are below)

Tread nose projection uniformity (<= 3/8" variation)

Tread nose curve radius (=< 9/16")

Tread Nose not required if tread depth is => 11"

Tread Nose not required on open stair treads (open riser

Another Stair Code Example - BOCA 2001.

Stair tread nose projection missing or wrong dimension: (falling hazard on descending)

or tread nose extends out too far over tread (risk splitting off or trip on climbing up).

Example: A nosing not less than 0.75 inch (19.1 mm) but not more than 1.25 inches (32

mm) shall be provided on stairways with solid risers where the tread depth is less than 11

inches (279 mm). - BOCA 2001.

Our photograph of badly worn stair treads (above) was provided courtesy of Carson Dunlop

Associates.

Photographs & Sketches of Stair Tread Defects

Stair tread loose, broken, damaged, missing

Stair treads of improper dimension in tread depth (does it fit your foot), tread width (the stairway width side to side), riser

height, or tread nose dimensions.

Stair tread thickness: too think, split, damaged, worn

Stair tread out of level or pitched. The maximum out of level allowed on a stairway walking surface is 1 unit of rise or fall

in 48 units of length - a 2% slope.- BOCA 2001.

Stair tread surface irregular or uneven, slippery with algae, improperly drained (exterior stairs)

Stair treads uneven in width - no variation greater than 0.375 inches is allowed

These steps in Spain were uneven in surface, had no side railing, were too narrow, a bit steep, and had that interesting little swing-

out gate (with no platform) leading up to an upper balcony with not much of a railing, as our friend Nuria was contemplating.

Stair Tread Defects: too narrow tread width, too high tread riser, uneven tread

risers

Bad Deck Stair Tread Example:

The stair treads are too narrow - a single 2x6 was used, making these treads only 5 1/2"

deep. We list additional problems with these deck steps:

The stair stringer is too-deeply notched and could split;

The stair risers are too high, as our client is showing with our tape.

There is no railing and the height above ground is more than 36".

The deck and platform railing is open with no balusters

Tread Detains on Stairs that are Curved or Angled, & Winder Stairs

Angled or Curved stair treads are a particular trip hazard, especially because of the lack of

uniformity and because the tread width at the inside of the curve can be too small for safe

walking.

Our stair photo at above left shows tricky angled stairs that were squeezed onto a sidewalk in

New York City. A passerby agreed to model the risk of falling.

Sketch below courtesy Carson Dunlop.

Stair Tread Width Requirements Vary by Open or Closed Stairway Risers

Closed stair treads using a solid riser are shown at the left of the sketch and open stair treads

are shown at the right sketch.

Notice that the minimum stair tread thickness is increased when the stair tread is not supported

by a solid riser.

Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop. From: http://www.inspectapedia.com/interiors/Stair_Treads.htm

Stair Step Risers

Definition of stair risers: a stair riser is the vertical space between stair treads (treads are what

you step on). If the vertical space is enclosed (see our drawing at page top), the enclosing board

is called the stair riser. If the vertical space between stair treads is open (see our photo at left) the

space is still a stair riser, but it's an "open riser".

Open stair risers with a more than 4-inch opening are e a child hazard, as we detail below.

Stair risers, or the vertical distance between the stair treads, that are too tall are difficult to climb

and are a falling or trip hazard.

Stair risers that are too short can also be a trip hazard if the stair treads themselves (the walking

surface of the stair or step) are not large enough. As we discuss below, generally as we reduce

the stair riser height below about 6-inches, we need to increase the "depth" (front to back

distance) of the stair tread.

Stair risers that are uneven or irregular in height are also a serious trip and fall hazard. That's

because when people walk up and down stairs we are mostly on "auto pilot" - our brains assume

that each step height will be the same as the one we took just before. So a "surprise" such as a

step that is taller or shorter, can make us fall - a particular hazard for the elderly, children, or

people who are physically disabled and have trouble climbing stairs. (Also see ELDERLY &

VETERANS HOME SAFETY).

Step riser specifications riser height (<= 7.75") - this means you rstair risers should be less than or equal to 7 3/4 inches. No taller. Some codes specify slightly taller stair risers, from 8" to 8 1/4" (Canada, for example).

Step riser height uniformity (<= 3/8" variation) - this means that more than 3/8 of an inch in variation of the height of steps from one step to another is a tripping hazard.

Step riser slope (out of vertical) (<= 30 deg measured from horizontal surface of the tread) - this stair specification means the rather obvious hazard that if stairs are pitched or sloped users are more likely to trip and fall. Outdoor stairs that are exposed to wet or icy conditions are an even more serious falling hazard if the stairs are sloped.

Step stair riser openings: open stair risers are permitted provided the opening will not pass a 4" sphere (child safety). This 4-inch opening dimension has the same basis as the rule that requires that the opening between stair balusters must be 4" or smaller.

Stair Riser Defects

As we explained just above, the most common stair riser defects likely to lead to a fall include:

Stair risers of uneven height - no variation greater than 0.375 inches is allowed Stair risers of improper height, too tall Stair risers of improper height, too short

Bad Deck Stair Example:

Nothing is right about the exterior stairs shown in our photo (above) from a 1991 home

inspection:

This stair stringer is too-deeply notched and could split; The stair risers are too high, as our client is showing with our tape. The stair treads are too narrow. There is no railing and the height above ground is more than 36". The deck and platform railing is open with no balusters.

See Deck & Porch Steps or Stairs for more details.

Basic Stairway Tread & Riser Measurements, Dimensions &

Rules

Because more people are injured by trips and falls than other hazards, experts have looked

closely at the specifications for stairs, steps, and rails to reduce the falling hazards.

This work has been translated into stair and railing specifications that are similar among codes

and countries (but not identical). -- IBC, IRC, BOCA, Kingston NY Stair Code, & other

sources. Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop.

Summarizing proper stair dimensions for Closed Riser Stairs

Closed riser stairs include a board or other solid material that encloses the vertical space

between stair treads.

Stair riser height: ideal: 7 3/4, or in some jurisdictions 8 to 8 1/4" tall. Some older homes include a very steep stairway to access the home's attic. The stairs were very tall or "steep" when there was simply not enough horizontal space for a longer and less steep stairway. It may be impractical to fix this condition by a new stairway for the same reason - there just isn't enough space. Be sure to reduce the falling hazard at steep stairs by providing good lighting and secure handrails. (See Attic stairs)

Stair tread nosing: required, 1" to 1 1/2" projection beyond the riser face Stair tread run (or horizontal depth): 8 1/4 to 9" Stair tread thickness: 1" or greater, tread is supported by the riser.

Summarizing proper stair dimensions for Open Riser Stairs

Open riser stairs do not include a solid board or other material that fully encloses the open space

between stair treads (see the sketch above).

Open riser stair treads should be to 9 1/4" in depth and will typically be greater at shorter stair riser heights.

Open riser stair treads must be at least 1 1/2" thick because the tread, not supported by a riser, may otherwise split.

Open riser stairs are allowed a"back slope of at most 1 1/2". Take a look at the sketch above. Because there is no solid vertical riser to enclose the space between stair treads, the concept of a stair tread "nose" does not apply. But if stair treads are constructed so that the front edge of a tread is more than 1 1/2" behind the back edge of the stair tread below, the treads can become a trip hazard.

See these detailed articles on the proper dimensions for safe stairs and steps:

Stair dimensions: width height &c

Stairway headroom

Stairway landings

Step riser dimensions

Step stringer defects

Step tread dimensions

Stair tread nose dimensions

Rules for Constructing Stairs that are Curved or Angled, &

Winder Stairs

Angled or Curved stair treads are a particular trip hazard, especially because of the lack of

uniformity and because the tread width at the inside of the curve can be too small for safe

walking.

Our stair photo at above left shows tricky angled stairs that were squeezed onto a sidewalk in

New York City. A passerby agreed to model the risk of falling. Sketch courtesy Carson Dunlop.

My daughter fell down curved stairs at a shopping mall where the triangular tread hazard was

combined with a beautiful, architect-designed handrail that was about 8" in diameter - she was

unable to grasp it as she was falling.

The photo shows her sister grasping n added handrail that was welded on to correct this unsafe

condition.

The original "fat" hand railing that no one could grasp when falling is along the diagonal-right

side of the photo. From: http://www.inspectapedia.com/interiors/Stair_Risers.htm

Need to Measure your Stairs ?

When it comes to measuring your new staircase it is important that you get the correct measurements , use this guide to help you understand the measurements we require to calculate your new staircase.

Straight Staircases

RISE For a straight staircase measure your rise measurement first, this is the distance from the finished floor

level where the staircase starts to the finished floor level on the upper floor where the staircase is going to. If your floors are slightly out of level the make sure you get your rise from the points where the staircase is going to sit.

GOING

Once you have your rise you can work out the going distance (Dimension G)for the stairs this is the distance the staircase will project along the floor, look at our rise and go chart to see the correct going to suit your rise height when trying to achieve a 42 degree pitch.

WIDTH

If you are measuring a staircase for between walls make sure you measure the narrowest point and allow a clearance, this is OK if the staircase is assembled and the staircase can slide into place without having to be turned in the hole (between the walls) and is also OK if the staircase is ordered flatpack for assembly in situ between the walls, but if your staircase is going to need turning in between the walls you need to allow more clearance normally 75mm is OK but this needs checking before ordering, to work this out you need to draw a rectangle to scale (draw a rectangle the proposed width by 244mm which is the typical depth of the stair stringers we use and measure across the furthest points to check you can rotate the staircase) The width is also important when it comes to your landing room at the top and the bottom as this needs to be equal or more than the width of the staircase.

The width of a standard domestic staircase is 860mm over all the strings, the minimum width we would recommend for a Loft staircase is 600mm over all the strings.

If you are measuring a staircase which is to have handrails to one side and it is quite tight to the well hole you need to think about finger room between the handrail and the side of your stairwell the minimum clearance we recommend is 40mm this would mean you need to allow 55mm clearance on you over all string measurement from the finished well size.

New - Order a Straight flight online at Tradestairs.com

As with straight stairs start with your rise measurement and use the rise and go chart to work out the number of risers required and the going size your treads need to be to give you a 42 degree pitch, take

your going dimension G1 and work out haw many goings will fit and what width you are left with remember the width of a standard domestic staircase is 860mm, you will probable have 2 choices of rise heights to choose from eg :- 12 or 13 risers these will have different going sizes you need to choose the one that suits best, Your next size the G measurment is governed by the number of goings you need and the width of the staircase.

With a quarter landing staircase you will only need to allow the width of the staircase in the corner for your turn, with a winder staircase things get a little more complex. With the UK building regulations there are 2 important factors to remember ; -

1. Minimum 50mm Going - at the inside edge of your winder treads you must have a minimum going of 50mm, this means on a typical 860mm wide staircase with a standard 90mm newel post in the corner the typical area for a 3 tread winder corner increases by around 30mm so on a 860mm wide stair the typical winder box size is 890 x 890mm.

2. Winder Walk line Going - UK building regulations require the distance in the center of a winder tread to have a going no less than the going on the main part of the staircase, on staircases wider than 800mm Overall strings this is not normally an issue but on narrower staircases it is required to increase the winder box size by more than the 30mm as detailed above for the 50mm goings to achieve a walk line going that meets the requirements. EG - a 600mm wide staircase would need a winder box size of typically 750 x 750mm.

With half landing staircases and Double winder staircases all the perimeter dimensions are

required.

From: http://www.stairsuk.co.uk/measuring-stairs.html

9.8.2.1. Uniform Treads and Risers

1) Treads and risers shall have uniform rise and run in any one flight.

9.8.2.2. Minimum Number of Risers

1) Except for interior stairs within a dwelling unit, at least 3 risers shall be provided for interior

stairs.

9.8.3. Stair Dimensions

9.8.3.1. Rise, Run and Tread Depth of Stairs

1) Except as provided in Subsection 9.8.5., the rise, run and tread depth of stairs shall conform to

Table 9.8.3.1.

Table 9.8.3.1.

Rise, Run and Tread Depth of Stairs

Forming Part of Sentence 9.8.3.1.(1)

Stair Type Rise, mm Run, mm

Tread Depth,

mm

max. min. max. min. max. min.

Service(1) no limit 125 355 no limit 355 no limit

Private(2) 200 125 355 210 355 235

Public(3) 200 125 355 230 355 250

Notes to Table 9.8.3.1.:

(1) Service stairs serve areas only used as service rooms or service spaces.

(2) Private stairs are interior stairs within dwelling units and exterior stairs serving a single

dwelling unit

(3) Public stairs are all stairs not described as service stairs or private stairs.

9.8.3.2. Nosings

1) Curved or beveled leading edges of treads

a) shall not reduce the required tread depth by more than 15 mm, and

b) shall not, in any case, exceed 25 mm horizontally.

(See Appendix A.)

9.8.3.3. Stair Width 1) Exit stairs and stairs used by the public shall have a width, measured between wall faces or

guards, of not less than 900 mm. 2) At least one stairway between each floor level in a dwelling unit shall have a width between

wall faces of not less than 860 mm.

9.8.3.4. Head Room 1) The head room measured vertically from a line drawn through the outer edges of the nosings

shall be not less than 1.95 m for stairs located in dwelling units and 2.05 m for all other stairs.

9.8.4. Landings

9.8.4.1. Dimensions of Landings 1) Landings shall be at least as wide and as long as the width of stairs in which they occur,

except that

b) the length of landing for all other stairs in a straight run need not exceed 1100 mm.

(See also Articles 9.9.6.2. and 9.9.6.6. for landings in exits.)

9.8.4.2. Required Landings 1) Where a door swings towards a stair, the full arc of its swing shall be over a landing.

2) Except as provided in Sentence (3), a landing shall be provided at the top and bottom of each

flight of interior stairs and where a doorway occurs in a stairway. 3) Where a door at the top of a stair in a dwelling unit swings away from the stair, no landing is

required between the doorway and the stairs.

9.8.4.3. Height between Landings 1) The vertical height between any landings shall not exceed 3.7 m.

9.8.4.4 Height over Landings 1) The clear height over landings shall be not less than 1.95 m in dwelling units and 2.05 m for

other landings.

9.8.5. Curved Stairs and Winders

9.8.5.1. Curved Stairs in Exits 1) Curved stairs used in exits shall conform to the requirements of Article 3.4.6.8.

9.8.5.2. Curved Stairs not in Exits 1) Except as permitted in Article 9.8.5.3., a curved stair not required as an exit shall have an

average run of not less than 200 mm and a minimum run of 150 mm and shall have risers

conforming to Article 9.8.3.1.

9.8.7. Handrails

9.8.7.1. Required Handrails 1) Except as permitted in Sentences (2) and (3), a handrail shall be provided on

a) at least one side of stairs less than 1100 mm in width,

b) 2 sides of stairs 1 100 mm in width or greater, and

c) 2 sides of a curved stair used as an exit.

9.8.7.2. Continuous Handrail 1) At least one handrail shall be continuous throughout the length of the stairway, including

landings, except where interrupted by

a) doorways, or

b) newel posts at changes in direction.

(See A-3.4.6.4.(5) in Appendix A.)

9.8.7.3. Termination of Handrails 1) Handrails shall be terminated in a manner that will not obstruct pedestrian travel or create a

hazard. (See Appendix A.) 2) At least one handrail at the sides of a stairway or ramp shall extend horizontally not less than

300 mm beyond the top and bottom of the stairway or ramp. (See A-3.4.6.4.(5) in Appendix A.)

9.8.7.4. Height of Handrails 1) Height of handrails on stairs and ramps shall be measured vertically from a line drawn

a) through the outside edges of the stair nosing, or

b) from the surface of the ramp, floor or landing below the handrail.

2) Except as provided in Sentences (3) and (4), the height of handrails on stairs and ramps shall

be

a) not less than 800 mm, and

b) not more than 965 mm.

3) Where guards are required, handrails on landings are permitted to be not more than 1 070 mm

in height. 4) Handrails not meeting the requirements of Sentences (2) and (3) are permitted provided they

are installed in addition to the required handrails.

9.8.7.5. Ergonomic Design 1) A clearance of not less than 40 mm shall be provided between each handrail and the wall to

which it is fastened. 2) Required handrails shall be constructed so as to be continually graspable along their entire

length with no obstruction on or above them to break a handhold, except where the handrail is

interrupted by newels at changes in direction. (See Appendix A.)

9.8.7.6. Projections into Stairway 1) Handrails and constructions below handrails, including handrail supports and stair stringers,

shall not project more than 100 mm into the required width of a stairway.

9.8.7.8. Attachment of Handrails

(See Appendix A.)

1) Handrails shall be attached to wood studs, wood blocking, steel studs or masonry at points

spaced not more than 1.2 m apart. 2) Attachment to wood studs and blocking required in Sentence (1) shall consist of not less than

2 wood screws at each point, penetrating not less than 32 mm into solid wood.

From: http://www.amezz.com/cnbcstairref.html

Stair & Staircase Regulations

The most important dimension Pear Stairs need is a measurement from the Finished Floor to

Finished Floor. (See Home Page, "who measures your staircase").

We will then provide you with all the drawings you need once you have agreed to purchase the

staircase. Pear Stairs will check your stair & staircase building regulations and will ensure you

don’t fall foul of the regulations.

If you want to be involved in the building regulations then read on:

Building Regulations Steepness of Stairs

ALL steps must have the same rise. You cannot have 200mm for the first three risers and

205mm for the remainder.

However if there is a flat landing between a staircase it can be interpreted that you can have a different

rise and going on the bottom flight to the top. Pear Stairs do not recommend this practice. It is not

considered excellent practice.

For the actual stair & staircase building regulation for this issue go to point 1.1 (Page

6) Building Regulations Part K

Categories under the Staircase Building Regulations

The staircase building regulations consider three categories.

Private Staircase - for a domestic property.

Institutional & Assembly Stairs - are for serving a place where a substantial number of

people will gather.

(Public Staircase).

Other - are defined as offices, disabled, factories and common

stairs

serving more than one dwelling. (Semi Public

Staircase).

For the actual stair & staircase building regulation for this issue go to Point 1.2 (Page 6)

at Building Regulations Part K.

The Rise And Going.

The most important regulation regarding domestic staircases is that:

1. Maximum rise of staircase 220mm.

Minimum going of staircase 220mm.

Private Staircase (Domestic) Max Rise = 220mm, min going 220mm.

Institutional & Assembly Max Rise = 180mm, min going 280mm.

Other (Semi Public) Max Rise = 190mm, min going 250mm.

2. The maximum pitch of a domestic property is 42°

Private Staircase (Domestic) = 42° Maximum.

Institutional & Assembly Stairs (Public) = 33° Maximum.

Other (Semi Public) = 38° Maximum.

3. Please Note that your stair tread cannot be too long or the riser too short because building

regulations

also state:

Twice the rise plus the going (2R+G) should be between 550mm and 700mm. For the actual

stair & staircase building regulation regarding categories for steepness of stairs go to

1.3; 1.4; 1.5; & 1.6 (Page 6) at Building Regulations Part K

Construction of Steps.

Building regulations stipulate that staircase steps should be level. Nosings should be at least

16mm.

For the actual stair & staircase building regulation regarding construction of steps go to point 1.8 (Page

6) at Building Regulations Part K.

Open Risers.

All stairs which have open risers should be constructed so that a 100mm sphere cannot pass

through.

This regulation has been stipulated by the government in order that children’s heads cannot get stuck in

any opening. For the actual stair & staircase building regulation regarding Open risers go to point 1.9

(Page 6) at Building Regulations Part K.

Head Room.

A headroom of 2m is required at all points on and off a staircase and as you pass down a

staircase.

For the actual stair and staircase building regulation regarding Headroom go to point 1.10 (Page

7) Building Regulations Part K.

Headroom for Loft Conversions.

For loft conversions the headroom will pass the building regulations if the centre of the stair

width is 1.9m reducing to 1.8m at the side of the stair.

Please Note where there are real difficulties in the height some building control officers will

allow you to build a newel out from the wall to meet the regulations. This does make the

staircase narrower but this may be the only option.

For the actual stair and staircase building regulation regarding Headroom go to point 1.10 (Page

7) at Building Regulations Part K.

Minimum Width of Staircase.

There are no recommendations as to the width of a staircase - Yes Really!

There are rules for direct fire escapes and disabled access and you will have to consult Part M of

the building regulations Building Regulations Part M and talk to your building control officer

who can interpret these rules differently.

However Pear Stairs recommend: To make a staircase visually pleasing and comfortable we

would recommend that you don’t try to have a staircase narrower than 860mm overall string.

For the actual stair and staircase building regulation regarding minimum width of staircase go to point

1.11 (Page 7) at Building Regulations Part K.

Maximum Width of Staircase.

The maximum width of a public staircase is 1800mm. However this is easily overcome by

putting an additional handrail, newel and spindles in the staircase.

For the actual stair and staircase building regulation regarding maximum width of staircase go to

point 1.12 (Page 7) at Building Regulations Part K.

Landings.

1. Landings must be provided at the top and bottom of every stairs.

2. The landing distance in front of the top and bottom step must be wider than the width of the

staircase.

3. No door should swing closer than 400mm on to the front of any step.

4. All landings should be level other than the ground floor level which can have a gradient but

not exceeding 1:20.

Landings Next To Doors.

For the detailed stair and staircase building regulation regarding landings go to point 1.15 (Page 7) at

Building Regulations Part K, point 1.16 (Page 7) at Building Regulations Part K and point 1.17 (Page 8)

at Building Regulations Part K .

Length of Staircase.

For domestic properties there are no restrictions as to the length of a flight up to 36 risers.

For public buildings such as a shop for assembly purposes then the number of risers are restricted

to 16. Above 36 risers there should be a change of direction of at least 30°. For the detailed stair

and staircase building regulations, regarding length of flight go to points 1.13 & 1.14 (Page 7)

at Building Regulations Part K.

Stairs That Turn Direction.

Winder Box.

For most staircases the building regulations require the centre of the staircase dimension

“A” above must be equal length and also be the same or bigger than the dimension as the

going on the straight flight of the staircase “B”. If the staircase is wider than 1000mm then

seek Pear Stairs help. For the actual stair and staircase building regulation regarding

winder boxes go to point 1.18 (Page 8) at Building Regulations Part K.

Space Saver Staircases (Alternating tread stairs).

These are staircases that break the rule of “a maximum pitch of 42°”

The use of these staircases are quite often interpreted differently by different building Inspectors, they

do not like their use. The building regulation rules state that they can be used to a single room only if

there is no other alternative.

The maximum rise is 220mm and minimum going is 220mm. For the actual stair and staircase building

regulation regarding space saver staircases (Alternating tread stairs) go to points 1.23 & 1.24 (Page 9) at

Building Regulations Part K.

Handrails for staircases.

Stairs should have a handrail on at least one side if they are less than 1m wide. They should have

a handrail on both sides if they are wider. You do not need a handrail on the first two steps up.

In all the buildings handrail height should be between 900mm and 1000mm measured to the top

of the handrail to the pitch line.

A 100mm sphere cannot pass through any openings.

For the actual stair and staircase building regulation regarding Handrails go to 1.27, 1.28, 1.29

(Page 9) at Building Regulations Part K.

Staircase Building Regulations are covered by further regulations parts M1 and M2.

Building inspectors are now asking for no nosings on staircases for offices or with disabled

access. (Pear Stairs have been making more of these this last year).

They are also asking for no open risers for offices.

The rise should be between 150mm and 170mm and going between 250mm and 450mm. Some

building inspectors are avoiding any steps into a building and are insisting on ramps. Please

check with building inspector.

From: http://www.pearstairs.co.uk/pages/staircase_buillding_regulations/default.aspx

2.

Stairs

A universally accessible home would not include stairs, as even one step can constitute a barrier

to an elderly person or someone in a wheelchair. However, if stairs are needed in the renovation

of an existing house, or for other reasons, there are certain proportions and layouts that are safer

and more accessible than others. It is a good idea to design the stair with the width and structure

to fit a stairlift if needed.

Generally, simple stairs are the safest and easiest to use. A single flight of straight stairs, as

shown in figure 12.1 A, or straight flights of stairs connected by a flat landing such as that shown

in figure 12.1 B are ideal. Geometrical stairs can also be accessible. Spiral stairs and stairs with

winder treads, illustrated in figure 12.1 C, should be avoided.

Figure 12.1 A - Straight flight

for long flights a middle landing may be helpful straight flight: presents the least number of obstacles and stair lifts can be fitted easily provided

there is sufficient width

Figure 12.1 B - Flight with 180° turn

flight with 180° turn: landing allows respite from climbing

Figure 12.1 C - Flight with 180° turn and winders

flight with 180° turn and winders: winders are not acceptable

Figure 12.2 - A long straight flight with a landing

handrails on one or both sides to suit users long straight flight with middle landing: allows users to rest halfway

The staircase will be safest if it:

is well lit, without glare provides a landing at the top and the bottom for the user to steady themselves before changing

direction has no doors that obstruct the top or bottom landings consists of more than one step.

Rather than allowing a small change in level that requires a single step, it is better to design the

floor surface to be level. If this is not possible, a small ramp is the best way to connect the two

levels.

Figures 12.3 and 12.4 illustrate the dimensions of a preferred stair.

Figure 12.3 - Principles of step design

treads large enough to provide adequat footing good slip resistance nosing projection round nose to reduce chance of toe catching preferably the riser should be modified by: insertion of timer fillet, carpeting, no open risers and

uniform riser height

Figure 12.4 - Step dimensions

going 250 to 265mm preferred 25mm maximum riser 170 to 180mm preferred tread

The dimensions do not replace those outlined in building regulations. Each step will be safest if

it has a:

comfortably sized tread slip resistant tread or nosing solid and non-transparent vertical back, or rise, so that nothing can get caught in between each

step nosing in a colour that contrasts with the rest of the tread and does not project more than

25mm, as illustrated in figure 12.3 treads and risers of consistent dimension throughout a flight.

Closed, opaque risers and colour contrasting nosings assist people with vision impairment. A

change of flooring surface and colour at the head and foot of a flight of stairs will also assist

people with vision impairment.

Stairs should be at least 850mm wide but around 1000mm is easier to negotiate. Stairs greater

than 1200mm wide can accommodate a stairlift as illustrated in figure 12.5.

Figure 12.5 - Width of a staircase

clear opening, 850mm minimum, 900mm preferred, 1200mm will allow easy movement of furniture and addition of a stair lift

handrail on one or both sides to suit the occupants' needs

Landings should be the same width as the stair and at least 850mm in length. Headroom must be

at least 2000mm measured from the line of the nosing as shown in figure 12.6.

Figure 12.6 - A straight flight of stairs

good general lighting consider recessed shelves at top and bottom of stairs if wall allows 2 way switch level handrail minimum headroom 2000mm for handrail configuration, see Figure 13.11 2 way light switch or sensor 300mm tread depth consider low level lights for step dimensions see Figure 13.6

Stairs must be fitted with a handrail on one side and for people with a preferred hand, handrails

may be needed on both sides. Handrails need to be placed so that:

they do not reduce the clear width of the stair they are between 865mm and 1000mm apart, and at a height that suits the intended user they are easy to grip they extend 300mm beyond the end of the flight of stairs, with a downward sloping end to

indicate to people with impaired vision that there are no more stairs

from: http://www.buildforlife.com.au/www/html/197-stairs.asp

How to Build Stairs Doug Adams

There are two different classes of stairs. The first class is a mill-made stair, which is usually

fabricated in a mill shop and shipped to the job site as a kit, ready for assembly and

installation. The second class, a carpenter-built stair, is just that — a stair built on site by a

carpenter. This type of fabrication is less expensive and allows the stair to be covered with

carpet. A carpenter-built stair can be dressed up with a hardwood or paint-grade skirt board. And simple wall-mounted railing is a popular option to complete either type of stair.

When constructing a stair, functionality is the most important consideration. Extreme

accuracy must be used for a safe design. Before beginning construction, you should consult

not only the national building-code requirements, but also the local building-code

requirements. Some municipalities have stricter codes than others, and checking first will eliminate the need to rebuild later.

Cutting the Stair

Now that we have directions on paper as to how to build our stair, it is time to begin cutting.

Carpenters always measure twice and cut once, a good rule to follow when cutting stairs. Stair

building can be expensive; you only want to purchase the materials once, so purchase and cut

wisely.

When you start the project, make sure your work area is clean and well lighted. Working in

comfortable surroundings makes a difficult task a little easier.

Lay out the stringers to begin the actual stair project. Do this by setting the rise and run of the

stair on the framing square. The framing square clamps should be adjusted to 7 3/8 inches by 10

inches. Next, mark off the number of treads and risers that are needed for this stair. Always start

with the first riser and end with the top riser, and draw in the second floor line. At this point it is

helpful to count the number of risers so there isn't a layout error. Repeat this procedure for all

three stringers.

After you have marked the treads and risers, it is time for the final adjustments to the stair

stringer. As with any well-planned work of art, tweaking the design may be necessary. In

order for all of the risers to be in code-compliance, adjusting the top and bottom risers may

be necessary. In our example when a 1-inch-thick tread will be added to the bottom tread

cut, our bottom riser will be 1 inch too high. The opposite is true at the top. When we add

the top tread, its thickness deducts 1 inch from the exposed riser height. To correct this

situation we will deduct 1 inch from the bottom riser cut at the floor-level portion of the stringer.

After you have successfully laid out the stringers, cut off the triangular portions. A power

saw is the best tool for this task, but be careful not to cut beyond your marked layout lines,

which will weaken your stringers. The final cutting of the triangles can be cut out with a

handsaw. After all three stringers are cut out, place them together to make sure they all

match. Three perfect matches are what you want to achieve. Anything less than three perfect stringers and you may want to consider going back to the drawing board.

With three good-looking stringers on your bench, you can now take the left and right

stringer and position them on top of the 1-by-12-inch skirt boards. On each skirt board,

trace the cut where the stringer meets the floor and the top riser. Cut these lines out and

also make a plumb cut on the bottom of this board at the height of the baseboard. Attach

the skirt boards to the two stringers. These two stringers are now finished and can be nailed

on top of the drywall. If no drywall is in place, fill out the stringers to the thickness of the

drywall. Always, always, nail or screw to the studs. The center stringer is now ready to be mounted to the top header and attached to the blocking at the floor.

Now that your stringers are in place, it is time to double-check all of your cuts. Check the tread

cuts for level and plumb. Check your measurements in every direction, left to right and front to

back. Check the top and bottom riser--does it allow for the finish tread height? The top riser

should offer a tread thickness of more than 7 3/8 inches and the bottom riser should be tread

thickness less.

If after you have double-checked all of your cuts, and you are satisfied that you're on the right

path, it is time to rip the risers to the correct heights and nail them into place. Don't forget to glue

and nail them for long-lasting durability. Your treads should be 11-1/4 inches so they will not

need to be ripped, just cut them to length, glue and nail into place.

Nail the treads and risers to the stringers. Install by nailing through the back of the risers and into

the treads, always using cement-coated fasteners.

Your stair is now complete except for the wall or handrail. Because our example stair is located

between two walls, we will need to put a wall-mounted handrail in place to meet code

compliance. Mount the handrail at 34 inches above the leading edge of the tread. It should be

198 inches in length and contain a wall rail bracket screwed into a stud or backing, every 4 feet.

In the case of an open rail section to one side of the stair, it is easiest to mount the balusters on an

angle cap.

You are now ready for inspection!

Stair building is an art. Do not expect to be able to learn it all in just one article. Many

experienced carpenters have difficulties building stairs. So if you've pulled your hair out a

little trying to achieve a quality stair project, you're in good company. Be patient and with a little practice, you'll be making your way up in the world on the steps you've just built.

STAIR-BUILDING TIPS

1. To create a softer edge where the carpet breaks over the tread edge, route the edge with a 1/2-

inch round overbite prior to installing the treads into the stringers.

2. If your material is spiltting, predrill your holes. This can also help prevent squeaking in the

future.

3. Glue blocks can be placed at the underside between the tread and riser intersection.

4. Another very important but sometimes overlooked item is to seal the underside of your stair.

This will prevent the stair from squeaking and warping.

Side Note 2:

STAIR-BUILDING TERMINOLOGY

Stair building is an art form with its own terminology. Here are some terms you may encounter when researching stair design:

Treads: Horizontal walking surface of the stair.

Riser: Vertical surface between two treads.

Carriage stringer: Support for the treads and risers; usually cut to have the treads sit on the horizontal plane and the risers nailed to a vertical cut.

Mop board/skirt board: Piece of lumber placed next to a carriage stringer and used to provide trim along a wall.

Wall rail: The grab bar along the pitch of the stair; usually mounted 34 inches off the leading edge of the tread. A wall rail should be 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch in diameter for ease of grip.

Handrail bracket: Metal piece of hardware that is used to mount the wall rail to the wall.

Handrail: Shaped wood member used in conjunction with posts and balusters to provide a safety barrier on an open balcony or open pitch section of the stair. This railing can also be wall mounted.

Post (newel): Vertical wood or support member at the landing or start of a stair. A post can be square or turned. A standard post diameter is 3½ inches.

Wall cap: Board used to decorate a half wall or used to mount balusters onto.

Balusters: Upright support of a handrail that prevents objects or people from going over the edge of a balcony or open side of a stair. Balusters are also referred to as spindles, pickets or turnings.

Headroom: Space from the leading edge of a tread to the header directly above. Six feet, 8 inches is a minimum guideline to follow.

Total rise: The dimension from one finished floor to the finished floor above.

Nosing: The overhanging lip of the tread. Standard nosing is 1 1/4 inches.

Tread depth: The cut dimension of the stringer; depth of the horizontal walking surface less the nosing dimension. Standard tread dept is 10 inches.

Riser height: The vertical dimension between two treads; this dimension must be equal throughout the total flight. Standard rise height is 7 5/8 inches and should not exceed 7 3/4 inches.

Total run: The length of all of the treads combined.

From: http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/article.asp?article_id=60182

3.

Stairway, Railing, Landing Basic Dimensions & Rules

Because more people are injured by trips and falls than other hazards, experts have looked

closely at the specifications for stairs, steps, and rails to reduce the falling hazards.

This work has been translated into stair and railing specifications that are similar among codes

and countries (but not identical). -- IBC, IRC, BOCA, Kingston NY Stair Code, & other

sources.

Stair and Railing Specification Topics for stair (U.S. and International Residential Codes)

include the items listed below.

Stair Dimensions for Straight Stairway Runs: Stair width,

landing length

Stairwell width and stair landing platform

requirements are summarized by these sketches courtesy Carson Dunlop.

The minimum recommended stair width is between 34" and 36" ACROSS.

The minimum recommended stair landing length is 36" (or a length and width sufficiently

greater than the swing of the door if a wider door is present.

Is a landing required at the top of stairs?

Note: a stair top landing is not required if the door at the top of the stair opens away from the

stairwell.

In these sketches required handrails have been omitted for clarity.

Stairway Height, Width, Headroom Requirements

Stairway headroom or "overhead clearance": the distance from the top of the stair tread to the ceiling above, measured at the stair tread nose, should be six feet eight inches (or more). (Stairway headroom should be => 6'8" over tread or landing)

Stairway maximum height: the total vertical rise of a straight run of stairs should be twelve feet or less between floors. For higher total rises a landing may be required.

(Stairway maximum height should be <= 12' between floors - this means landings could be required)

Also see Stairway headroom and see Stairway landings

Exceptions to stair dimension requirements may be made for stairs giving access to non-living

areas of a building such as storage lofts and mechanical rooms. Check with your local building

officials.

Step Riser Height Specifications & Common Stair

Construction Mistakes

Stair Step Risers

Step riser specifications riser height (<= 7.75") Step riser height uniformity (<= 3/8" variation) Step riser slope (out of vertical) (<= 30 deg measured from horizontal surface of the tread) Step risers: open risers are permitted provided the opening will not pass a 4" sphere (child

safety)

Stair Riser Defects

Stair risers of uneven height - no variation greater than 0.375 inches is allowed Stair risers of improper height, too tall Stair risers of improper height, too short

Bad Deck Stair Example: Nothing is right about the exterior stairs shown in our photo from a

1991 home inspection:

This stair stringer is too-deeply notched and could split; The stair risers are too high, as our client is showing with our tape. The stair treads do not have enough depth - the treads were made from a single 2x6 (so they are

5 1/2" in depth). There is no railing on the steps although the height above ground is more than 30". The deck and platform railing is open with no guardrail balusters.

Closed stair treads using a solid riser are shown at the left of the sketch and

Open stair treads are shown at the right sketch. "Open stair treads" means that no solid riser is

installed between the stair treads.

Stair tread nose projection and radius: stair treads should have a projecting nose that is

rounded and projecting a maximum of 1.5 " over the tread below.

The requirements for a projecting stair nose over the tread below may be amended for open riser

stairs in some jurisdictions, but in no case should the front of a stair tread be more than 1.5" back

from the inside edge of the tread below - see sketch annotations. [Click any of our images to see an

enlarged, detailed version]

Stair tread thickness: The minimum tread thickness for stair treads supported by risers is 1".

Notice that the minimum stair tread thickness is increased to 1.5" when the stair tread is not

supported by a solid riser.

From: http://www.inspectapedia.com/interiors/Stair_Dimensions.htm

Stairs

A large number of questions have been asked about domestic staircases. Here are the general

requirements for stairs Domestic Stairs Design Requirements:

Width of stair flights and landings

The clear, or effective, width of a stair should allow users to move up and down unhindered and,

on stairs giving access to a dwelling or domestic building, permit people to pass on a flight.

The effective width should be measured between handrails or, where there is no handrail present,

between any walls or protective barriers. It should be clear of obstructions, as described in the

diagram to clause 4.3.1. The effective width of a stair should be in accordance with the

recommendations of the following table:

Effective widths of flights and landings

Private Stair Any other stair

900 mm [1], such as from one storey to another or

connecting levels within a storey; or

600 mm where serving only sanitary accommodation

and/or one room, other than accessible sanitary

accommodation , a kitchen or an enhanced apartment.

1.0 m generally, such as to an external flight to

a domestic building or a common access within

a building containing flats or maisonettes ; or

900 mm to an external flight serving a single

dwelling, to which the public have access.

Notes:

1. The effective width of a private stair may be 800 mm where a continuous handrail is fitted to both

sides of a flight. The projection of any stringer or newel post into this width should be not more than 30

mm.

Stair Lifts

A stair lift may be fitted to a private stair and may project into the effective width of the stair.

However, in such cases, at least 1 handrail should be present and, when not in use, the

installation should:

a. permit safe passage on the stair flight and any landing; and

b. not obstruct the normal use of any door, doorway or circulation space.

Number of rises in a flight

The act of climbing stairs can be tiring to many people. Whilst landings can provide a safe

resting point, the flight itself is not intended to do so. The maximum number of rises between

landings should therefore be limited.

Generally, a flight should have not more than 16 rises. Below a minimum number of steps, it

becomes difficult to signal a change of level, which can contribute significantly to a trip hazard.

Generally, a flight should have at least 3 rises. However, people tend to take greater care at

certain locations, such as at an external door, and a single step or 2 steps may be appropriate

under certain circumstances.

There may be less than 3 rises:

a. other than at an accessible entrance, between an external door of a building and the ground or

a balcony, conservatory , porch or private garage; or

b. wholly within an apartment other than where affecting provisions within an enhanced

apartment or

c. wholly within sanitary accommodation , other than accessible sanitary accommodation or

d. between a landing and an adjoining level where the route of travel from the adjoining level to

the next flight changes direction through 90º (i.e. on a quarter landing as the first step).

Risers and treads

All stairs providing access to and within buildings should be designed to be accessible by most

persons with reduced mobility. Open risers on a flight can be a hazard. When ascending a stair,

people may be at risk of trapping the toes of shoes beneath projecting nosings, and of tripping as

a result. In addition, many may feel a sense of insecurity when looking through spaces present

between treads. A stair should have contrasting nosings to assist in identifying the position of

treads and risers should be profiled to minimise tripping as shown below. Open rises should not

be used unless a stair is intended for descent only, such as in a dedicated escape stair on an

escape route.

However, a private stair may be constructed with open risers and without contrasting nosings as

occupants will be more familiar with the stair through frequent use.

Small children can climb or fall through gaps in stair treads and the size of such gaps should be

limited to prevent this. In a flight with open rises, the treads should overlap by at least 15 mm.

Any opening between adjacent treads in a flight should be small enough to prevent the passage

of a 100 mm sphere.

Stair landings

Clear space is needed to the head and foot of any stair flight to allow people to move between a

flight and an adjacent level surface safely. People may also wish to pause on stairs, particularly

during ascent, and any intermediate landing should provide a temporary respite and be of a size

to allow this whilst still permitting others to pass safely.

A stair landing should:

• be provided at the top and bottom of every flight. A single landing may be common to 2 or

more flights; and

• be level except, in external locations, for any minimal crossfall necessary to prevent standing

water; and

• have an effective width of not less than the effective width of the stair flight it serves; and

• be clear of any door swing or other obstruction, other than to a private stair , as noted below.

The minimum length of a stair landing, measured on the centreline of travel, should be either 1.2

m or the effective width of the stair, whichever is less. However where, on an intermediate

landing, a change of direction of 90º or more occurs, the centreline length need not be measured

if the effective width of the stair is maintained across the landing. On landings to external stair

flights , where tactile paving is used, the minimum length of landing should be 1.2 m.

Other than at an accessible entrance, a landing need not be provided to a flight of steps between

the external door of:

• a dwelling and the ground, balcony, conservatory , porch or private garage, where the door

slides or opens in a direction away from the flight and the total rise is not more than 600 mm; or

• a dwelling , or building ancillary to a dwelling , and the ground, balcony, conservatory , or

porch , where the change in level is not more than 170 mm, regardless of method of door

operation.

On a private stair , other than on an intermediate landing, common to 2 flights

• a door to a cupboard or duct may open onto a top landing if, at any angle of swing, a clear

space of at least 400 mm deep is maintained across the full width of the landing.

• a door may open on to a bottom landing, if, at any angle of swing, a clear space of at least 400

mm deep is maintained across the full width of the landing and the door swing does not encroach

within space designated for future installation of a stair lift.

Stair flights consisting of both straight and tapered treads. On that part of a flight consisting of

tapered treads, the going of the tapered treads should be uniform and should not be less than the

going of the straight treads. At the inner end of the tread, the going should be at least 50 mm.

Tapered treads on a stair should be constructed in accordance with BS 585: Part 1: 1989,

Appendices B1 and B3, irrespective of material or whether it contains open rises.

In a flight less than 1 m wide the going should be measured at the centre line of the flight as

described in clause 4.3.1. In a flight 1 m wide or more the going should be measured at 2 points,

270 mm from each end of the tread, as described in clause 4.3.1 and the minimum going should

be at least the going of the straight treads.

Handrails to stairs and ramps

Handrails to a stair and ramp flights will provide support and assist safe passage. As the full

width of a flight may be used, either by people passing or by person who favours one side, a

handrail should generally be provided to both sides of a stair or ramp flight. A handrail should be

provided to both sides of any flight where there is a change of level of more than 600 mm, or

where the flight on a ramp is longer than 2m.

However:

• handrails may be omitted to the flight of a ramp, serving a single dwelling, where the change in

level is less than 600mm; and

• a handrail need only be provided to one side on a flight of a private stair.

Where a handrail is provided to only one side of a private stair flight, the side on which a

handrail is not fixed should permit installation of a second handrail at a future date. A second

handrail will provide additional support to a person using the stair and may be installed provided

a clear width of 800 mm is maintained.

The extension of a handrail at landings allows an individual to steady themselves before

ascending or descending. For a person with impaired vision, the change in slope of the handrail

and its return into a wall can also signal the start or finish of a flight. A handrail on a stair or

ramp flight should:

a. extend at least 300 mm beyond the top and bottom of the flight as shown in the diagram

above. However the 300 mm extension may be omitted where the handrail abuts a newel post;

and

b. have a profile and projection that will allow a firm grip; and

c. end in a manner, such as a scrolled or wreathed end, that will not present a risk of entrapment

to users; and

d. contrast visually with any adjacent wall surface.

However, only sub clause b. need be provided on a private stair or to a ramp providing access

within a single dwelling , as users are likely to be familiar with the layout and use of the flight. A

stair or ramp that is more than 2.3 m wide should be divided by a handrail, or handrails, in such a

way that each section is at least 1.1 m and not more than 1.8 m wide. This does not apply to a

stair between an entrance door to a building and ground level, where not forming part of an

escape route.

Height of handrails

A handrail should be fixed at a height of at least 900 mm and not more than 1.0 m, measured

vertically above the pitch line of a flight on a stair or ramp and on a landing where a handrail is

provided.

Headroom on stairs and ramps

A flight or landing on a stair or ramp should have clear headroom of at least 2.0 m extending

over the whole of the effective width. Height should be measured vertically from the pitch line of

the flight or from the surface of the landing.

In a dwelling where any portion of a flight or landing lies outside the area needed to maintain the

effective width of a flight or landing, a reduction in headroom may be considered, provided that

no dangerous obstructions or projections are created.

Head room = 2m vertically from pitch line

Max number of risers = 16

Min number of risers = 2

Landings top and bottom of stairs same width as stairs

Detail

Max Rise (R)= 220mm

Min Going (G) = 220mm

Max pitch = 42 degrees

Formula = (2R+G) between 550mm and 700mm

Common stair dimensions are 200mm risers and 225 goings

Width of Stairs

Clear width of stairs = 800mm

600mm if access is to a single room not being a kitchen or living room

Handrails:

on one side for stairs 1m or less

on both sides for stairs greater than 1m

between 900mm and 1m high

Balustrades:

Balustrades are to be constructed so that a child cannot easily climb them i.e. they should be vertical.

All openings in the staircase should be smaller than 100mm. i.e. so that a ball of 100mm diameter

cannot pass through the gap. (The space formed by the tread, riser and the pitch line may be ignored.)

From: http://www.carryduffdesigns.co.uk/technical/stairs.html

4.

Steps and Stairs

There is nothing in OHS legislation specifically on steps and stairs.

However, there are a number of sources providing guidance and information. Steps and stairs

should comply with the Building Code of Australia as well as the Australian Standard AS 1657-

1992: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders - Design, construction and

installation.

Stair design A NSW WorkCover Guidance Note Preventing slips, trips and falls makes the following

recommendations:

The dimensions for the 'rise' (R) should be: minimum 115mm, maximum 190 mm. However, it is

very important that the 'rise' is in proportion to the width of each step, ie the 'tread' or the

'going'. The dimensions for the 'going' (G) - that is the top part of the step - are minimum 250

mm and maximum 355mm.

According to the Guidance Note, correct stairs should have dimensions as follows: 2R + G =

minimum 550, maximum 700.

The Australian Standard has more detailed, and slightly different, advice:

Rises and goings:

all rises and all goings, in the same flight of stairs, shall be of uniform dimensions within

a tolerance of +/-5mm

for each rise: miinimum 150mm, maximum 215mm

for each going: minimum 215mm, maximum 305mm

the product of the going and the rise, measured in millimetres, shall be not less than

45,000 and not more than 48,000

the tread width shall be not less than the going and there shall be a minimum overlap or

10mm

Guardrails and handrails The Australian Standard specifies:

Except where there is a fixed structure at a distance not greater than 100mm from the

stairway stile, stairways and stairway landing shall be provided with guardrailing on any

exposed side.

The guardrailing must be constructed to comply with one of the following requirements:

o A top rail, supported by posts, parallel to the floor or sope of a walkway at a

vertical height of not less than 900mm nor more than 1100mm above the standing

level of such a platform or walkway. There must also be one or more

intermediate rails parallel with the top rail and the floor with a maximum distance

of 450mm between rails or between the lowest rail and the top of the toe-board

where fitted. Where a toe-board is not fitted, the maximum distance between the

lowest rail and the floor must not be greater than 560mm. Alternatively, the space

between the top rail and the floor may be provided with suitable infill fixed to the

top rail and to the floor, toe-board, or a bottom rail not more than 80mm above the

floor; OR

o Welded mesh, supported by posts and provided with a reinforced top edge

capable of withstanding the prescribed design loads

NB: "Infill" may be pipe, bar, solid or perforated plate, expanded metal, metal mesh, or any other

material. May be pipes or bars arranged vertically, horizontally or any other configuration - as

long as gaps not greater than 450mm.

With regard to handrails:

Every stairway shall be provided with at least one handrail which shall have a smooth

continuous top surface throughout the length of each stairway flight. Where the width of

the stairway exceeds 1000mm, a handrail shall be provided on each side.

Landings (4.4)

Landings at point of access to the stairway and any intermediate landing in the stairway shall be

designed and constructed in accordance with the requirements of Clause 3.3 (deals with the floor

of stairs, landings, etc) and with the following:

a. The length and the width of the landing shall be not less than the width of the stairway

b. The landing shall have a minimum vertical clearance of not less than 2000mm

c. Every access landing shall provide standing space of at least 600mm clear of cross-traffic

or door swing.

Slips, trips and falls Slipping, tripping or falling are risks that can be associated with steps and stairs, and can lead to

serious injuries. Under s21 of the 2004 OHS Act, the employer has a duty of care to provide and

maintain a safe and healthy workplace - all potential hazards must be identified, the associated

risk assessed and then controls introduced to eliminate or reduce those risks as far as practicable.

Also under the Act (s26), persons who 'manage or control' workplaces must ensure that the

workplace and the means of entering and leaving it are safe and without risks to health.

From: http://www.ohsrep.org.au/faqs/workplace-and-amenities/steps-and-stairs/index.cfm

5.

Where do I start ?

Ok so you need a new staircase but don't know where to start, the first area to focus on is the layout of the staircase and the size the staircase will take up and the size of the stairwell required, the information below and the staircase layout plans we have online will help you with this. Once you know the type of staircase you need the next step is to decide on the style and materials you would like the staircase making in, you will find ideas across the whole web site and an idea to costs in this section.

Staircase Layout

The first thing you need is the layout of the staircase, this is governed by your sizes and the rules set out in Building Regulations document K.

Are you going to design the stair layout yourself ? Do you have drawings prepared by your Architect? Is the staircase a Replacement Staircase?

Designing the Staircase Layout The first thing to do when sorting out a new staircase is to measure the total rise, this is the measurement from finished floor to finished floor level. ( Floor to Floor)

Once you have established the rise the next step is to establish the number of risers required for this particular staircase,

for a domestic staircase the individual step rise must be no more than 220mm to stay within building regulations (Part K). The height of a riser on a standard staircase is 200mm so idealy you should be looking to get as close to this as possible.(Eg :- 2600mm Total Rise (floor to floor) divided by 13 would equal 200mm, equaling 13Nº risers.) Or just let Stairplan know the floor to floor measurement on your enquiry.

Now you have the number of risers required you now also know the number of treads required, you require 1Nº less tread than the number of risers. (Eg :- 13Nº risers 12Nº treads.)(The top tread is only a nosing that attaches to the Trimmer Joist at the top of the staircase.)

The next thing you have to do is work out the tread size required otherwise known as the going, the going is the measurement from the face of one riser to the face of the next riser. The minimum going for a domestic staircase to comply with building regulations is 220mm and the pitch of a domestic staircase must not exceed 42º. Use the chart on the Rise and Go page to help you identify the correct Going size to suit your riser height. (Eg:- for a riser height of 200mm a going of 223mm should be chosen.) Width - there is no restriction with how narrow you can go with a staircase but the width of a standard flight of stairs is 860mm, For a main staircase I would suggest trying to maintain a width between 800mm and 900mm and I would not recommend a width of less than 600mm for a loft conversion. Will a Straight flight fit? Well you have the going size of each tread now and the number of treads required so you will have a total going length for the staircase, on top of this total going length you will need to add on the thickness of the top riser and the depth of the Nosing used in the construction of the staircase.(Our standard nosing overlap size is 20mm, the standard riser thickness is 9mm making the add on 29mm, we suggest you use 30mm). The room you need at the top and the bottom need to be at least the width of the staircase, if you have a door opening in to the space at the bottom of the staircase you need to be 400mm away from the door when it is open, at the top you don't want any doors opening into this space at the top of the staircase, for more information on this look at the relevant pages in the Building Regulations.

A Straight Flight Wont Fit? Corners - When it comes to corners you have a number of options the simplest option is a 90º quarter turn landing for this you only need to allow the width of the staircase, the next option is a 3Nº tread kite winder for this you need to allow approximately 900 x 900mm for a standard width staircase (860mm) in the corner, depending on your going and the width of your staircase the size of a 3Nº tread winder changes, a good guide for the minimum size is 750 x 750mm for a 600mm wide staircase, the next option is a 4º tread winder for this you need to allow approximately 960 x 960mm on a standard 860mm wide staircase, again depending on your going and the width of the staircase this size will change. When you send in your enquiry on a winder staircase you can leave this technical detail down to us this is just a guide for you to understand the space you need.

Headroom You need a minimum of 2000mm of clear headroom above the pitch line on a domestic staircase to comply with building regulations (there is a slight relaxation on this for loft conversions look at the appropriate page in the building regulations).A typical size for your Stairwell is to have it the same size as the staircase layout, usually you wouldn't get away with a staircase being more than half a tread under the stairwell on a typical standard rise height staircase. Take care when your planning on where to put your staircase especially when your going into your loft and make sure you stair well opening is big enough. Don't always rely on your architects drawings sort your stairs out while it is still possible to alter your stairwell as it could get expensive to alter it later. If your staircase is going to go over your exiting set of stairs think about the headroom on the flight below also. If you are trying to plan a staircase to go up into your loft a good place to start is in the loft this is because you are usually limited to where you can exit the staircase in the loft space due to the head room in the loft space.

From: http://www.staircases.biz/staircases_wheredoistart.htm

6.

Why do we need to worry so much about falls on stairs?

Stairs of all types have been used since ancient times, and because they are inherently

hazardous, people have been falling on them, getting hurt or even killed in the process. In

North America tens of people die and tens of thousand people get injured every year from

the falls on stairs. The American National Council on Compensation Insurance estimated in

2001-2002 that the cost of such fall injuries was second only to those caused by motor vehicles.

The vast majority of stairway falls result from a loss of balance, just as falls are on the level. Please see our OSH Answers document on Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls.

A very common contributing factor is neglecting to use handrails. The consequences can be quite nasty.

Because stairway accidents can cause severe injury and even death, building codes for

stairs and ramps are justifiably very rigorous. Good design can substantially reduce the

potential for mis-stepping by providing us with the means to retrieve our balance, but even

the best design cannot eliminate falling hazards entirely. The need for proper design also

applies to ramps. The fact is that some incidents can be caused by inattention and unsafe

behaviour.

The best approach to minimize the hazard of falling down stairs is to encourage the building

of well-designed stairways, combined with training focused on raising our awareness of the potential for disaster.

What factors must we consider in designing safer stairs?

Stair dimensions

Figure 1 shows the recommended dimension ranges for all the important elements of stairways.

Figure 1

Figure 1: Legend

A - Optimal range: 30º-35º

B* - Handrail height: 80-96.5 cm

C* - Riser height: 12.5-20 cm

D* - Step width: 90 cm min. E* - Tread depth: 23.0-35.5 cm

Within a staircase, treads shall have a uniform run and tread depth that does not vary more than 0.6 cm*.

* Values are from the National Building Code of Canada (2005). Always check with your local jurisdiction as requirements are different in each area.

The maximum range for a stair slope is 20º-50º. However, because the majority of people

prefer a slope of 30º-35º, this is the recommended range.

Steeper stairs change the way you climb them because the steeper they are the more effort

you exert. The ratio of riser height and tread depth has to be adjusted accordingly. (See Figures 2 and 3)

Figure 2

Figure 3

From: Kodak's ergonomic design for people at work. 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons, 2004. p.244

The dimension of risers or treads in a stairway should not vary more than 1 cm. When doors

open directly into the stairwell, a 50 cm-wide platform should be provided beyond the swing

of the door. The recommended maximum number of steps between landings is 18, with no

more than two flights without a change of direction. The depth of any landing should be at least equal to the width of the stairs.

Stair surface

To reduce the risk of slipping on stairs, non-slippery surface on the whole steps or at least

on the leading edges is crucial. Such a surface can be made of rubber, or metal or painted

with special slip-resistant paint. Regular maintenance of the stairs in good repair plus good

housekeeping can reduce hazards for tripping.

Stair handrails

Attempts to design aesthetically pleasing stairways including handrails must not

compromise functionality.

The prime function of the handrail is for holding as support while going up or down stairs.

It is therefore crucial to be able to grasp it quickly, easily and firmly if you should start losing your balance.

Figure 4 shows the recommended cross-section and dimensions of a good handrail. Ideally

the cross-section should be round (diameter 4-5 cm, with circumference of 12-14 cm) to allow for a good firm grip.

Figure 4

You should be able to run your hand smoothly along the entire length without having to

adjust your grip. You should apply the so-called "tennis-racket grip" at all times when possible.

Guardrails of at least 40 cm above the surface of the stairs are needed to prevent falls off the side of the stairs that are not equipped with a banister.

Visibility on stairs

Improving visibility on stairs significantly reduces the risk for common mishaps caused by

misjudging distances. Otherwise you can trip on a step or miss it completely. You can catch

a heel on the edge of a step. Such mishaps are a routine cause of twisted ankles, sprained knees or more serious injuries incurred by a total fall.

Recommended illumination should be at the minimum 50 lux level.

Use angular lighting and colour contrast to improve depth perception.

Use matte finishes on the treads to avoid glare.

Avoid patterned carpeting that may visually hide differences in depth. Be very cautious on stairs if you are wearing bifocal glasses.

Work activity

Use any means to persuade people to grasp the handrail while both ascending or

descending stairs.

Avoid carrying objects with both hands.

Do not carry bulky objects that block your vision.

Housekeeping

Good housekeeping is also vital to stair safety:

Nothing should be sticking out the surfaces of stairs, handrails or bannisters (like

nails or splinters) that could cause a fall.

Spills, wet spots, or any debris should be immediately cleaned up.

Broken or malfunctioning lighting should be repaired or replaced.

From: http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/stairs_fallprevention.html

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