STUDY SHEET ON STAIRS

Contents
1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 2 DEFINITION.................................................................................................................................. 2 CLASSIFICATION OF STAIRS ......................................................................................................... 2 TYPES OF STAIRS ......................................................................................................................... 2 4.1 Single straight flight stairs ......................................................................................................... 2 4.2 Inclined slab stair with half space landings ............................................................................... 2 4.3 String beam stairs ..................................................................................................................... 3 4.4 Cranked slab stairs ................................................................................................................... 3 4.5 Cantilever stairs......................................................................................................................... 3 4.6 Spiral stairs ................................................................................................................................ 3 5.0 6.0 7.0 PRIMARY FUNCTION OF STAIRS .................................................................................................. 3 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF STAIRS ................................................................................... 3 MATERIALS FOR STAIRCASES ...................................................................................................... 4

7.1 CONCRETE ..................................................................................................................................... 4 7.1.1 IN SITU CONCRETE STAIRS .................................................................................................... 4 7.2 METAL STAIRS ............................................................................................................................... 4 7.3 TIMBER STAIRCASE ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE................................................................................. 5 7.4 HANDRAILS AND BALUSTERS ........................................................................................................ 5 7.5 SURFACE FINISHES ........................................................................................................................ 5 8.0 9.0 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................... 6 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................ 7

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STUDY SHEET ON STAIRS 1.0 INTRODUCTION

From ancient times man has built multi floored structures and to get to the upper floors he has had to devise ways and means to do this. One way is by inventions and use of stairs. This study sheet looks at stairs in terms of their features, classifications, types, construction and their terminologies.

2.0

DEFINITION

Stairs are a set of steps that primarily are a means of providing circulation and communication between various levels in a building. Further, it is also the means of escape in cases of fire and other emergencies.

3.0

CLASSIFICATION OF STAIRS

There two main classifications of stairs these are: Escape stairs- these serve as escape stairs in cases of fire and other emergencies. They are limited in design by regulation as to the choice of materials, position and sizing of the complete stairway. Accommodation stairway-these are not limited in design and normally are found in the building interiors as a means of vertical circulation within. When it comes to escape stairs it is important to note the following points: o o o o o Constructed from non-combustible materials. Stairway protected by a fire resisting enclosure. Separated from the main floor area by a set or sets of self-closing fire-resisting doors. Limitations as to riser heights tread lengths and handrail requirement usually based upon use of building. In common with all forms of stairs, all riser heights must be equal throughout the rise of the stairs.

4.0

TYPES OF STAIRS
Cranked slab stairs Cantilever stairs Spiral stairs

Stairs can be arranged of various types which include; Single straight flight stairs Inclined slab stair with half space landings String beam stairs

4.1 Single straight flight stairs type of stairs that rises from one floor to the next in one direction with or without an intermediate landing. 4.2 Inclined slab stair with half space landings- these stairs have the usual plan format for reinforced concrete stairs giving a more compact plan layout and better circulation than the single straight flight stairs. The half space or 180 turn landing is usually introduced at the mid-point of the

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STUDY SHEET ON STAIRS

rise giving equal flight spans, thus reducing the effective span and hence the bending moment considerably. 4.3 String beam stairs- these are an alternative design for the stairs described above. A string or edge beam is used to span from landing to landing to resist the bending moment with the steps spanning crosswise between them; this usually results in a thinner waist dimension and an overall saving in the concrete volume required but this saving in material is usually offset by the extra framework costs. 4.4 Cranked slab stairs- these stairs are very often used as a special feature since the half space landing has no visible support being designed as a cantilever slab. Bending ,buckling and torsion stresses are induced with this form of design creating the need for reinforcement to both faces of the landing and slab or waist of the flights; indeed the amount of reinforcement required can sometimes create site problems with regard to placing and compacting the concrete. 4.5 Cantilever stairs- sometimes called spine wall stairs and consists of a central vertical wall from which the flights and half space landings are cantilevered. The wall provides a degree of fire resistance between the flights and are therefore used mainly for escape stairs. 4.6 Spiral stairs- used mainly as accommodation stairs in the foyers of prestige buildings such as theatres and banks. They can be expensive to construct being normally at least seven times the cost of conventional stairs. The plan shape is generally based on a circle although it is possible to design an open spiral stair with an elliptical core.

5.0

PRIMARY FUNCTION OF STAIRS

They are a means of circulation between the various levels of multi storey building. They are a safe means of travel between floors. They enable easy travel between floors. They also serve as a means of conveying fittings and furniture between floors.

6.0

FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF STAIRS

Stairs should be easy to ascend and therefore should have a pitch of 38 minimum and 42 maximum. All stairs should have uniform dimensions with all treads having the same thickness and all risers having the same heights to avoid the occurrence of accidents. Staircases should have the following functional requirements. o o o o APPEARANCE: The staircase must be aesthetically pleasing by being designed to suit the type of structure without compromising on the durability of materials used in constructing it. FIRE PROTECTION: A staircase acts as a means of passage and therefore must be constructed of non combustible materials to allow for efficient escape in case of fire. STABILITY: The staircase must be designed and built to be structurally stable and be able to sustain the dead load and imposed load without deflecting. SUITABLE DIMENSIONS: Correct and working dimensions should be used in order to have an accident free and comfortable staircase.

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STUDY SHEET ON STAIRS

7.0

MATERIALS FOR STAIRCASES

7.1 CONCRETE
Two types of concrete staircases exist namely; precast and in situ concrete stairs. The basic requirements for concrete include; The mix usually specified is 1:2:4/ 20mm aggregate. Minimum cover of concrete over reinforcement 15mm or bar diameter depending on which is greater to give 1 hour fire resistance. Waist thickness usually between 100 and 250mm depending on stair type. Mild or high yield steel can be used for reinforcement. Continuous handrails of non combustible materials at a height of between 840 and 915mm above the pitch line are required to all stairs and both sides if the stair width exceeds 1.06m.

Both precast and in situ stairs can have half space landings which give better circulation than single flight stairs. The half space or 180 degree turn landing is usually introduced at mid-point of rise giving equal flight spans, reducing the effective span and hence the bending moment. The landings span crosswise on to a load bearing wall or beam with flights spanning from landing to landing. 7.1.1 IN SITU CONCRETE STAIRS Various stairs types and arrangements are possible with in situ stair construction. In situ, however, must comply with the building regulations according to the purpose group of the building in which the stairs are to be built. These stairs are constructed on site with the aid of formwork. The formwork is built as follows; Cut out an outer string shaped like the treads and risers from a single piece of timber Then place it in position on site Build the deck and support it with joists and props Fit the outer string to the deck Fix the structure into secure position Fix the formwork for the risers in position so that they are supported above the deck Use hangers suspended from a batten fixed to the wall on the inner side and fix the riser form to the cut string on the outer side.

7.2 METAL STAIRS

Metal stairs can be constructed as both escape and accommodation stairs both internally and externally. Most of them are made from mild steel with cast iron treads or mild steel and in straight flights with an intermediate half space landing. Spiral stair cases are also made but there use as effective fire escape stair is limited by size and the number of persons likely to use the stairway. Steel spiral stairs-may be allowed as both internal and external means of escape if they are not for more than 50 people, he maximum total rise is 9000 and the minimum overall diameter is 1.5m.

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STUDY SHEET ON STAIRS

String beam steal stairs- used mainly as accommodation stairs which need to be light and elegant in appearance, this being achieved by using small sections and an open riser format. The strings can be of mild steel tube, steel channel, steel box or small universal beam sections fixed by brackets to the upper floor surfaces or landing edges to act as inclined beams.

7.3 TIMBER STAIRCASE ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE

Glue the treads and the risers Insert the treads and risers in grooves in the strings. Lightly nail them together, insert and glue two wedges in each tread to strengthen the joint. Press the structure together with a cramp iron. If the stair case is more than one metre wide, then add a support called a carriage fixed to the floor at each; this is a piece of timber with brackets fixed on alternate sides to support the middle of each tread. Fix a 75x75mm newel post at the top and bottom of both strings. Make a slot in all the newel post to fit the first floor trimmer post. Glue and screw all the parts of staircase together. Fit the handrail in position about 850mm above the slope of the tread nosing and insert into newel post. Insert the balusters into the handrail and the string at less than 100mm intervals Transport it to the site and put the complete staircase into the building.

7.4 HANDRAILS AND BALUSTERS

These are designed to the requirements of building regulations. Escape stair balusters and handrails are constructed of combustible materials The handrails are designed to give comfortable hand grip. The handrail maybe covered or capped with a combustible material like timber or plastic. Most balustrades are designed in a performed pocket or by direct surface fixing.

7.5 SURFACE FINISHES

Finishes that can be applied to concrete floors can also be used in the same manner for in situ and precast concrete stairs. The thickness of finish given to stairs is generally thinner than similar finishes to floors. For safety it is necessary to have equal height risers throughout the stair rise. Therefore it may be necessary to have the top and bottom risers of different heights to the rest of the stairs Metal nosing covering with an upper grip surface can also be used in conjunction with all types of applied finishes to stairs. Other finishes include: Carpets Tiles Slate Marble Terrazzo Timber strips Grinding and polishing SAMPA CHISUMBE-09231395 Page 5

STUDY SHEET ON STAIRS 8.0 CONCLUSION

This study sheet has covered the different aspects of type, functional requirements, construction methods and terminologies used in relation to each. It is worth noting that proper construction methods are employed in order to build stairs that are safe, comfortable aesthetically pleasing and functional as a whole.

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STUDY SHEET ON STAIRS 9.0 REFERENCES

1. Chudley. R, 1983, Construction Technology, Longman 2. Chudley. R and Roger. G, 2006, Building Construction Handbook, sixth Edition, Longman 3. Denis .W, Building Construction Principles and Practices motive series

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