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Seminar Report Staircase Design.

CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION
Over thousands of years, architectural geometry has been a subject of
fascination, speculation, rule making, analysis, and controversy. During this long
period, numerous architectural styles and trends have appeared and gone. And the
staircases, just as any other architectural element reproduced the characteristic
features of the style common to the particular period.
Nowadays, if someone decides to build the staircase, he has a great choice of
technologies, tools, and materials capable of reproducing any style or bringing to life
their own vision of staircases design. Wood, metal, concrete, glass and their
combinations can be used for stairs construction. The best and most adequate time
will be to design the staircases and their styling at the stage of drawing that is prior to
building the house, taking account of all safety norms and following the local building
regulations. Architectural considerations involving aesthetics, structural feasibility
and functional requirements are the major aspects to select a particular type of the
staircase. Other influencing parameters of the selection are lighting, ventilation,
comfort, accessibility, space etc.
Going up or down stairs are instinctive gestures, which we do not even think
about when we need to move from one level to another. Whether in a building or a
space for public circulation, they ensure circulation naturally, easing peoples physical
effort since ancient times. They are essential for any construction not only as a way to
mediate between two levels, but also to facilitate the access within a building. Beyond
functional considerations, stairs correspond as well to an aesthetic need or to
resistance to traffic, which gave birth to a complex of structural factors that vary from
one space to another.

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CHAPTER-2
HISTORY
The simplest and earliest types of staircases were developed in Africa, a
climbing pole ladder. This was made out of a tree trunk, in which steps were carved.
The reason for inventing stairs is mainly functionally motivated; lifting the building
just a few meters above the ground helped to protect the habitat from the dangers at
the ground level, animals, flooding or other people. When this defensive function
occurred, then the ladders were removed. This was also a sign of no one being at
home.
The uplifted position also helped to ventilate the habitat after rainfalls. After
some time, people started to realize that climbing up to rungs was difficult, and,
staircases were invented. In this case, nature supplied some exemplary models, like
natural stair like formations in cliffs or hillsides. These stairways allowed for carrying
heavier loads. The tread was comparatively smaller than the riser, however, over time,
this relationship changed. A broader tread and a lower riser allowed for a more
comfortable and slower gait.
After the Middle Ages, staircases gained a new interest, not only as a
functional element, but as embellishing architectural elements. The use of the
staircases shifted, and stairways became associated with power and status large
spanning staircases with a curved or incurved body, indoors or outdoors, became a
design feature in architecture. A well executed staircase was the pride of architects.
Staircases became the most significant spatial element in the inside space, as well as
an exterior motif .In combination with expensive garments and female fashion, the
stair halls became an important space for showing off status and .
Hence, staircases have gone from being a mere adjustment of the terrain due to
transportation motives into becoming an important architectural feature. The classical
theorem appropriately designed staircases was introduced during renaissance era. The
evolution of the staircases has developed more than just being a movement of
transportation. Life without level differences is unimaginable, especially nowadays.

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Seminar Report Staircase Design.
CHAPTER-3
BASIC STAIRCASE ANATOMY

The stair is one of the most spectacular sub-assemblies of a building; it is at


the same time a huge sculpture and an escape route; an element that enriches the
building, giving it class and an element that ensures the operational safety of a
building. They must meet the essential requirements which are subordinated to all
construction products, from construction materials up to the building-product. Thus,
the Building Codes regarding the performance criteria specific to ramps and stairs, for
pedestrian traffic in construction, based on which stairs should currently be designed
refer to:

Mechanical resistance and stability;


Safety in use;
Fire safety;
Noise protection.
Suitable dimensions (for normal, elderly, disabled people & children)
appearance

3.1COMPONENTS & TERMINOLOGY

Balusters: are vertical elements at the edges of the staircase or staircase shaft,
which are necessary for handrail support and protective barrier creation. Balusters
can be of different sections and forms. Balustrade is a joint name for newel posts,
balusters, handrails and base rail together.
Flight of stairs: Circulation construction element with a slope, with /without
treads. Step is joint name of the tread and riser.
Handrail: It provides for support and forms a protective barrier when you go up
and down stairs. The handrail also serves as an attaching point of the top part of
balusters.
Headroom: is a size of vertical opening of the staircase in the clear from the tread
forefront up to the low point of any structural element above it (ceiling, beam,
flight of stairs, roof). Minimal size of this opening for comfortable usage of the
staircase amounts to 2,000 mm.
Landing: Horizontal construction element located at the top or between two
flights of stairs built for people to rest on when going up/down stairs or serves for
change of direction and
Line of walk: The Graphic indicator of the way to the stairs; in case of circular or
balanced staircases, its considered to be 50 cm from the handrail towards the
smaller arch of the curve, for flight of stairs smaller than 1m; in axes of flights of
stairs longer than 1.0 m its considered to be at 60 cm
Newel or newel post: A vertical post which might provide support for either the
hand rail, or support for the upper end of an outer string. It performs a function of
a bearing element. They can be of different sections and forms.
Nosing :The frontal part of the tread that is excluded from the plane of the riser ;it
has a decorative purpose
Pitch Line: is an imaginary line passing through upper edges of treads in the
flight of stairs. Pitch is an angle between the Pitch Line and the horizon.
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Rise: is a size from the upper plane of one tread to the upper plane of the next
tread.
Riser: is a board covering the space under treads communicating additional
strength to the treads and makes the staircase safer.
Skirting Bracket: is a decorative molding under the tread allowing to hide the
spacing between the tread and the open string, as also the butt end of the riser.
Staircase Shaft :The enclosed space, limited by the walls confining the staircase
Stringer or string: The structural member that supports the treads. There are
typically two stringers, one on either side of the stairs; though the treads may be
supported many other ways. The stringers are notched so that the risers and treads
fit in to them.
The eye of the staircase :The free space bound by the inner parts of flight of
stairs
Tread :The horizontal surface, with a relatively low width, situated vertically on
equal distance between other treads
Trim: is a decorative molding which allows covering the gaps at the place of
treads' bordering the wall.
Up Easing: is an element of a handrail that allows changing the direction of a
handrail from angular to vertical one.
Wall Rail: is a handrail fastened to the wall with the help of Wall Rail Brackets.
In general it is installed if the width of the staircase exceeds 1,000 mm.
Winders: Winders are steps that are narrower on one side than the other .They are
used to change the direction of the stairs without landings. A series of winders
form a circular or spiral stairway.

3.2 SUITABLE DIMENSIONS FOR STAIRCASES

Riser and tread;


In a flight of stairs all steps should have the same riser and same tread.
Relationship between riser and tread can be shown as 2R+T=63cm
Convention centers, cinema, Theaters: R=16cm
Schools, hospitals, Office buildings R= 17cm
Residential Buildings R=18cm
Steepness of stairs; Regular pitch: 25-36

Tread dimensions
Min. Tread width(no side walls) =60cm
One side wall = 70cm
Two side walls = 80cm

Handrails
Handrails height should be between 86.5-96.5 cm.
Handrails may project a max. Of 9cm into the required width.

Headroom
Minimum Headroom 200cm.
Headroom calculation: H=140+70/Cos
Pitch : 20H=215cm
Pitch : 30H= 220cm
Pitch : 45H=240cm
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Seminar Report Staircase Design.
CHAPTER-4

STAIRCASE CLASSIFICATION
Staircases can be classified according to different criteria, but here only the three
most important ones here considered (flight of stairs shape, purpose and the material
used for their structure.

According to the shape of the flight of stairs:


There can be stairs with flights that are straight, curved, balanced. The shape must
be chosen not only conforming to the available space (that staircases must occupy to
its full use, with a minimum of material), but also to desired esthetic impression. A
stair is constructed with steps rising without a break from floor to floor, or with steps
rising to a landing between floors, with a series of steps rising further from the
landing to the floor above. There are four basic ways in which stairs are planned:
(a) A straight flight stair, which rises from floor to floor in one direction with or
without landing
(b) A quarter turn stair, which rises to a landing between floors, turns through 90,
then to the floor above
(c) A half turn stair, which rises to a landing between floors, turns through 180, then
rises, parallel to the lower flight, to the floor above. This type of stair is sometimes
called dog-leg or scissor-type stair. The stairs are sometimes described as open
well stairs where a space or well exists between flights.
(d)Geometric stairs can be designed into spiral, circular, and elliptical.
(e) Free-standing stairs.
those supported transversely or across the flightstringer beams are needed on
one or both sides
cantilever type projecting from walls or wall beams with each step acting as a
cantilever
They are staircases with the tread being capable of supporting all the loads
from the circulation on the stairs. Treads can be made out of reinforced concrete,
metal, wood or glass. They are often used in staircases in residential or commercial
buildings (showrooms, small shops) due to their unique design .They are not
recommended for buildings used by great crowds of users or for evacuation staircases.

According to the Position of staircases:

Monumental staircases ,main staircases and secondary ones .Monumental


staircases are most often found in public buildings ,not just on the outside but also the
inside ,though there is the possibility of their use in residential buildings .They can be
described as elegant ,with outstanding architectural detailing .Main staircases are
situated indoor , serving the building by ensuring proper flow between floors ,while
the secondary staircases have an extra purpose ,ensuring safety evacuation in case of
need ,transport of goods ,etc.

According to the designing elements of stairs:


The stairs must meet the following quality requirements: strength and stability,
fire safety, safety in use, acoustics protection. Hygiene, human health and

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Seminar Report Staircase Design.
environmental protection requirements can be considered complied with if the
construction and finishing materials emit no pollutants. Hence, different types are:

Metal staircases have now made the transition from being seen as purely
industrial features, to the home. They are less heavy in their appearance than
timber. Perfect for spiral or straight flights, they look great paired with glass
balustrades or even wire mesh or tension wires. Badly designed metal staircases
can look overly industrial. Components can now be bought off the shelf, with full
timber and metal staircases coming to as little as 500-600.
Stone and Concrete staircases can be traditional think grand sweeping stone
flights or contemporary in the form of industrial-style simplicity. Concrete stairs
are usually supplied precast in sections to be assembled on site.The perfect way to
create a sense of solidity. Its Expensive. May have to wait a while for them to be
made. Cost is Variable. They can be expensive, starting at around 10,000. An
alternative is to clad existing stairs with stone panels.
Timber makes a fantastic staircase material as it is so versatile in the looks.
Wooden staircases for traditional homes should be quite substantial, with rounded
stair nosing, turned balusters and carved newel posts. Contemporary timber
staircases often consist of nothing more than chunky wooden treads that cantilever
out from a wall .Wood is strong, versatile, and easy to work with and has a
timeless look. It being such a popular material though dark and heavy wood can
be overbearing when used for such a central feature. The cheapest option is
engineered teak or plywood ideal for a fully carpeted staircase and painted
balustrading which is readily available and fairly cost-effective. Hardwoods are
more expensive, varying from two times the cost of softwood up to five times the
cost.
Glass and Acrylic staircases Not only do allow light to flow easily both between
rooms and levels in a house, but they also add a touch of contemporary glamour.
Its strong, being made up of two or three layers laminated together. Perfect for
contemporary interiors. Acrylic can be prone to surface scratches and as a
flammable material cannot be used for staircases that will be fire escape routes.
They rarely come cheap, particularly if buying from specialists. The key to a low-
cost yet striking staircase is to combine materials and be clever when choosing
supplier.
Mixed stairs may have reinforced concrete stringers (monolithic or
prefabricated), or out of metal and load-bearing steps from other materials than
the stringer (prefabricated concrete, wood, metal, stone, glass). Steps are fixed
locally on the stringers, mechanically or with special cemented or welded pieces.

4.1 ACCESSORIES FOR STAIRS

For finishing steps and stairs in general there are several types of profiles,
plinths and decorative elements. Among the most important are the edge/banding
profiles that allow finishing the step edge, providing durability, but also the possibility
of implementing anti-slip profiles, which prevent slipping on stairs. They are usually
made of aluminum or metal, but there are also white or colored PVC versions.
Anti-slip profiles can be purchased separately, are made of rubber and can be
mounted on any type of step, if not provided when building, or in special areas
provided by the manufacturer.

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Seminar Report Staircase Design.
Decorative profiles, in the case of stairs, refer to the finishing of the risers or
of the visible side. Usually it is made of plaster and glued in place along with other
finishes. As finishing versions there are also expanded polystyrene profiles.

STRAIGHT STRAIGHT WITH LANDING


QUARTER
TURN

HALF TURN BIFURCATED

DOG LEGGED OPEN WELL

CIRCULAR ELLIPTICAL

SPIRAL

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Seminar Report Staircase Design.
CHAPTER-5

DESIGNING A STAIR

Designing the staircase depends on many factors like place in which the staircase
is going to be situated (inside or out), size of hole in the slab and the type of building
theyre serving (residential, commercial or industrial) Usual slopes for the flight of
stairs .The relation between the length of the tread (l) and the height of the riser (h).
When choosing the type of the staircase the following aspects shall be taken into
account:
Designation of the staircase (front or supporting),
intensity of usage,
The form of the place allocated for staircase construction.
It should be remembered that the area occupied by the staircase is excluded from
the usable space of the house.
The form and location of the staircase have a direct impact on convenience and
functional usage of the staircase. The stipulations of clause 33 of IS 456 are given
below as a ready reference regarding the determination of effective span of stair.
Three different cases are given to determine the effective span of stairs without
stringer beams.

The horizontal centre-to-centre distance of beams should be considered as the


effective span when the slab is supported at top and bottom risers by beams
spanning parallel with the risers.
The horizontal distance equal to the going of the stairs plus at each end either
half the width of the landing or one meter, whichever is smaller when the stair
slab is spanning on to the edge of a landing slab which spans parallel with the
risers.

5.1 CALCULATION OF FLIGHT- STRAIGHT STAIRS

Suppose we build a staircase from the ground to the second floor. Floor to
Floor Height is equal to 2600 mm. As a result we want to receive the stairs with
correlation of the riser height and going 17/29 To estimate the number of risers we
should divide the Floor to Floor Height by the riser height which we take from the
correlation of the riser height and going 2600 mm 170 mm = 15.29. Since the
number of risers shall be a whole number, we round down the value received and get
15 risers. Now to figure out the precise value of the riser height we shall divide the
Floor to Floor Height by the number of risers, that is 2,600 mm 15 = 173.33 mm.
We have to round down the value received to 173 mm, because it is impossible to
measure out the value of 173.33 mm by hand marking.
But now if we multiple 173 mm by 15 risers we receive the value of 2,595 mm. The
difference can make either low or considerable values. As you have already
understood, the accuracy in size is of crucial significance here. Ignoring even tenths
after the decimal point at one step leads in the aggregate to the difference between the
Floor to Floor Height and the stairs height. Thats why we recommend to execute the
marking as accurately as possible and to use a beam compass if necessary. In the
example set above the value of 5 mm can be compensated if you slightly level up the

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Seminar Report Staircase Design.
stairs, or if you increase the height of the last riser. You shall remember about the
maximum allowable difference in the riser heights of the. But the best thing is to
avoid such situations. Thus, we receive the following parameters for the stairs:

Number of risers - 15
Riser height - 173 mm
Going - 290 mm

When laying out the steps and choosing the correlation of the riser height and
going for the stairs, always consider the dimensions of the headroom of stairs and its
minimal size. For this purpose the dimensions of the existing aperture are plotted on
the plan of the staircase. Then determine, on which step the edge of the aperture and
the stairs overlap. Then subtract the total height of steps up to the overlapping from
the floor-to-ceiling height. The value received will constitute the headroom of the
stairs.

5.2TIPS ACCORDING TO VASTU FOR STAIRCASE

An external staircase can be built in the southeast direction facing east,


southwest direction facing west, northwest direction facing north, and
southwest direction facing south.
Always begin stairs from north to south or east to west. A turn can also be
taken to other sides, in case there is a lack of space.
Stairs must always have an odd number and the number must never end with a
zero. The vertical set of stairs should also have an odd number and when
divided by three their remnant must be two.
Never make circular staircases as they have the ability to cause bad health.
Also, a staircase encircling the building can lead to severe calamites.
Rooms such as bathroom, kitchen, or pooja room should never be built under a
staircase. This area can only be used for creating a storage room.
Staircases must always be painted in light colors and shades such as red and
black should be avoided completely.

5.3GETTING THE LIGHTING RIGHT

A badly designed staircase is one that suffers from a total lack of light, either
natural or artificial, but also with staircases being located in the centre of the house
away from main windows. Good ways to allow light through to staircase include,
using fanlights above doors, both internal and external, to bring light into the base of
the staircase; inserting a roof light above the stairwell

Use artificial lighting to turn staircase into even more of a feature. Although
including practical lighting at the top and bottom of the staircase controlled by a
two-way switch is a good idea, using LED lights set into the string, handrail or even
the stairs themselves is a fantastic way of showing off new flight.

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CHAPTER-7

CONCLUSION
The worst thing that can happen to the stair is the wrong proportion hence,
architects are trying to discover the ultimate formula for designing appropriate
staircases. The design of staircase, therefore, is the application of the designs of the
different elements of the staircase. Architectural considerations involving aesthetics,
structural feasibility and functional requirements are the major aspects to select a
particular type of the staircase. Other influencing parameters of the selection are
lighting, ventilation, comfort, accessibility, space etc.

Health-related research states that climbing staircases is very healthy


especially for people who suffer from heart conditions, cardio-vascular diseases or
lung conditions. Climbing at least20 steps per week can lower 20% risk of stroke.
Prevents muscle-mass loss and It also applies for people who want to lose some
weight.

Stairs must satisfy strict building codes meant to ensure safety and climbing
comfort. We're so used to uniform, professionally built staircases that the slightest
discrepancy between steps creates a tripping hazard. Tall steps make climbing hard.
Shallow steps are uncomfortable and dangerous. Since there's so little room for error,
building stairs requires careful layout and some potentially tricky calculations. Living
without difference in levels has become un imaginable, however, various accidents
and injuries can be associated with staircases. The developments of new designs for
staircases have imposed new demands on safety precautions concerning the
proportion between the tread and the riser, height of banister and railings.

REFERENCES

John Templer, (1992), Study of hazards, falls, and safer design. page 10.
Carles Broto , 2011, New staircases .
http://consults.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/15/stairs-as-fitness-tool/?_r=0
http://herg.gatech.edu/Files/Caltrans_Final_Report.pdf.
Ashcroft, R., Construction for Interior Designers, 1992, England.
Ching, F.D.K, Building Construction Illustrated, 2001.
Sari,Abdullah, Merdivenler, 1994,Turkey.
www.mustknowhow.com5.www.gharexpert.com
Natasha Brinsmead , (2012), Staircase Design Guide ,Homebuilding &
Renovating.
Archea, J.C., Collins, B.L. and Stahl, F.I. (1979). Guidelines for stair safety.
NBS-BSS 120, U.S.National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD.

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Seminar Report Staircase Design.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following are some of the general guidelines to be considered while planning a
staircase:
The respective dimensions of tread and riser for all the parallel steps
should be the same in consecutive floor of a building.
The minimum vertical headroom above any step should be 2 m.
Generally, the number of risers in a flight should be restricted to
twelve.
The minimum width of stair should be 850 mm, though it is desirable
to have the width between 1.1 to 1.6 m. In public building, cinema
halls etc., large widths of the stair should be provided.
All steps shall have nonskid covering, and skid resistant edging can be
fastened at the forefront of the steps.
The handrails shall be designed in such a way as to eliminate a
possibility of children's climbing over the handrails, and the distance
between the balusters shall be not more than 10 cm.
The paint color of steps and of the stairway in whole shall make a
pleasant impression, and be in harmony with the general design of the
house
The minimal height of handrails in the flight of stairs shall make no
less than 900 mm.
The position of the stairway in the house must not create any obstacles
for convenient moving about the house.

APPENDIX
It is desirable that the stairs are easily available for the primary areas in
the house such as a hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, and also
visible from the entrance. If you position the stairs like that, they will
fulfill their basic role more efficiently and functionally.

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