STAIR

a stair is a series of steps arranged to provide access between different levels of a building,
such as from one floor to another. It is a permanent means of vertical circulation, designed
to allow people to move safely and comfortably.

Stair terminologies

Stair Terminologies

1. Step – a single unit consisting of a tread and riser.

2. Tread – the horizontal part of a step where the foot is placed.

 3. Riser – the vertical portion between two treads.

4. Nosing – the projecting front edge of a tread.

5. Flight – an uninterrupted series of steps between landings.

6. Landing – a flat horizontal platform between two flights or at the top/bottom of

stairs.

7. String (Stringer) – the inclined side member that supports the steps (can be cut/open
or closed).

8. Balustrade – the safety barrier along the open side of a stair, made of handrail and
balusters.

9. Handrail – the horizontal/angled rail fixed at stair height for support while ascending
or descending.

10. Baluster – vertical posts supporting the handrail.

11. Newel Post – a large upright post at the start, end, or change of direction in a stair.

12. Pitch – the angle of the stair with the horizontal.

13. Headroom – the clear vertical distance between the tread line and the ceiling above.

14. Going – the horizontal distance between the face of one riser to the face of the next
riser (same as tread depth excluding nosing).

15. Rise – the vertical height of a single step.

16. Waist – the thickness of the structural slab of a reinforced concrete stair.

17. Soffit – the underside of a stair slab.

18. Run – the total horizontal distance covered by a flight of stairs.

19. Width of Stair – the clear horizontal distance between two stringers or walls.

20. Total Rise – total vertical height the stair covers between floors.

TYPES OF STAIRS

Generally stairs are of following types

1. Straight stairs

2. Quarter turn stairs

3. Half turn stairs

4. Three quarter turn stairs

5. Circular stairs
 6. Spiral stairs

7. Curved stairs

8. Geometric stairs

9. Bifurcated stairs and

10. Combination above types

1. Straight Stairs

These are the stairs along which there is no change in direction on any flight between two
successive floors. The straight stairs can be of following types.

 Straight run with a single flight between floors

 Straight run with a series of flight without change in direction

 Parallel stairs

 Angle stairs

 Scissors stairs

Straight stairs can have a change in direction at an intermediate landing. In case of angle
stairs, the successive flights are at an angle to each other. Scissor stairs are comprised of a
pair of straight runs in opposite directions and are placed on opposite sides of a fire resistive
wall.
 Straight Stair
with Single Flight

Straight Stair with Two Flights

Advantages

 Simple design and easy to construct.

 Requires less space in length.

 Easy to use and navigate.

 Easy to install railings/handrails.

Disadvantages

 Requires a lot of linear space in one direction.

 Not suitable for buildings with limited space.

 Long flight can be tiring to climb without landings.

Applications: Common in residential houses, small offices, and industrial sheds

2. Quarter Turn Stairs

They are provided when the direction of flight is to be changed by 900. The change in
direction can be effected by either introducing a quarter space landing or by providing
winders at the junctions.

Quarter Turn Stairs

Advantages

 More compact than straight stairs.

 Changes direction, which adds privacy between floors.

 Safer as the landing provides rest.

Disadvantages

 Requires more skill to construct.

 Handrail installation is more complex.

 Needs more floor space than straight stairs.

Applications: Residential homes, duplex houses, apartments, and small commercial

buildings.

3. Half Turn Stairs

These stairs change their direction through 1800. It can be either dog-legged or open newel
type. In case of dog legged stairs the flights are in opposite directions and no space is
provided between the flights in plan. On the other hand in open newel stairs, there is a well
or opening between the flights and it may be used to accommodate a lift. These stairs are
used at places where sufficient space is available.
Half turn stair
Half Turn Stairs

Advantages

 Space efficient compared to straight stairs.

 Provides rest at the landing in the middle.

 Safer as falls are minimized by the turn.

Disadvantages

 Requires more headroom.

  More complicated to build and costlier.

 Railings and formwork are harder to design.

Applications: Apartment blocks, office buildings, schools, and public building

4. Three Quarter Turn Stairs

These types of stairs change their directions through 2700. In other words direction is
changed three times with its upper flight crossing the bottom one. In this type of
construction an open well is formed.

Applications: Tall buildings, institutional buildings, and multi-storey residential flats

5. Circular Stairs

These stairs, when viewed from above, appear to follow circle with a single centre of
curvature and large radius. These stairs are generally provided at the rear of a building to
give access for servicing at various floors. All the steps radiate from a newel post in the form
of winders. These stairs can be constructed in stone, cast iron or R.C.C.
Stairs

Advantages

 Allows maximum use of vertical space.

 Good for tall buildings with limited horizontal area.

 Provides landings for rest.

Disadvantages

 Requires careful design to fit in compact buildings.

 Complex and expensive to construct.

 Movement of furniture can be difficult.

Applications: Monumental buildings, public halls, palaces, temples, and grand

entrances.

6. Spiral Stairs

These stairs are similar to circular stairs except that the radius of curvature is small and the
stairs may be supported by a center post. Overall diameter of such stairs may range from 1
to 2.5 m.

Advantages

 Requires very little space.

 Economical and easy to install.

 Lightweight and can be prefabricated.

Disadvantages

 Inconvenient for frequent use.

 Difficult for moving furniture or loads.

 Not safe for elderly or physically challenged.

Applications: Small residential spaces, mezzanines, watchtowers, terrace access, and

industrial plants

7. Curved Stairs

These stairs, when viewed from above, appear to follow a curve with two or more centre of
curvature, such as ellipse.
8. Geometrical Stairs

Half turn Geometrical Stair

These stairs have no newel post and are of any geometrical shape. The change in direction in
these stairs is achieved through winders. The stairs require more skill for its construction and
are weaker than open newel stairs. In these stairs the open well between the forward and
the backward flights is curved.

Advantages

 Adds beauty and elegance to a building.

 Offers design flexibility for architects.

 Provides smooth circulation between floors.

Disadvantages

 Very costly and complex to build.

 Difficult for structural design and formwork.

 Requires highly skilled labor.

Applications: High-end residential houses, public halls, luxury commercial buildings.

9. Bifurcated Stairs

These stairs are so arranged that there is a wide flight at the start which is subdivided into
narrow flights at the mid-landing. The two narrow flights start from either side of mid
landing. Generally these stairs are more suitable for modern public buildings.
Bifurcated Stairs

Advantages

 Grand appearance, suitable for public and monumental buildings.

 Provides two separate paths after a landing.

 Comfortable and allows two-way movement.

Disadvantages
  Requires large space.

 High construction and finishing cost.

 Not suitable for small residential buildings

Applications: Palaces, public halls, hotels, government buildings, and monumental

structures.
A monumental structure refers to a large, impressive, and often symbolic building or
construction that is designed to represent power, culture, history, or prestige.

Examples of Monumental Structures:

 Government buildings – e.g., parliaments, courthouses.

 Religious buildings – cathedrals, temples, mosques.

 Public halls and auditoriums – used for gatherings and cultural events.

 Palaces and castles – royal or historical residences.

 Museums and memorials – designed to commemorate or preserve history.

Materials Used for Constructing Stairs

1. Timber (Wooden Stairs)

 Features: Light, easy to work with, good aesthetics.

 Advantages: Quick to construct, economical, can be decorative.

  Applications: Residential houses, temporary works, attics, light structures.

 Limitation: Not durable in damp conditions, susceptible to fire and termites.

2. Stone Stairs

 Features: Constructed using stone slabs (granite, marble, sandstone).

 Advantages: Very durable, elegant appearance.

 Applications: Temples, monumental buildings, outdoor steps.

 Limitation: Expensive, heavy, requires skilled labor.

3. Brick Stairs

 Features: Built with bricks and mortar; may be plastered or finished.

 Advantages: Inexpensive, materials easily available.

 Applications: Low-cost housing, boundary steps, light structures.

 Limitation: Less durable compared to stone or concrete.

4. Reinforced Concrete (RCC) Stairs

 Features: Most common in modern buildings; cast in formwork with steel

reinforcement.

 Advantages: Strong, durable, fire-resistant, can take any shape (straight, spiral,
helical).

 Applications: Residential, commercial, public, and industrial buildings.

 Limitation: Requires skilled labor and formwork.

5. Steel Stairs

 Features: Made of structural steel plates, channels, or tubes.

 Advantages: Strong, light in weight, easy to erect, suitable for prefabrication.

 Applications: Factories, fire escapes, industrial buildings, mezzanines.

 Limitation: Needs regular maintenance to avoid rust.

6. Glass Stairs (Modern Material)

 Features: Made of tempered or laminated glass panels supported by

steel/aluminum.

 Advantages: Attractive, modern look, allows light transmission.

 Applications: Showrooms, malls, luxury houses.

 Limitation: Expensive, slippery if not treated, requires precise design.

7. Composite Materials (New Generation)

 Features: Use of aluminum, fiber-reinforced plastics, or a mix of steel and concrete.

 Advantages: Lightweight, durable, corrosion-resistant.

 Applications: Contemporary architecture, marine and aerospace facilities.

Limitation: Costly and less available

Building Code Requirements for Stairs

1. Types of Stairs

 Stairs must be permanent means of access between floors.

 Allowed types (depending on function and occupancy):

o Straight, quarter-turn, half-turn, curved, spiral, bifurcated (for public/luxury

buildings), etc.

 Spiral and circular stairs are usually restricted to secondary access, small spaces, or
emergency use, not as the main stair.

2. Function of Stairs

 Provide safe, comfortable, and convenient vertical circulation.

 Must allow for quick evacuation in case of emergency (fire, earthquake).

 Should accommodate the expected traffic load (number of people using them).

3. Access Requirements

 Stairs must connect all habitable floors of a building.

 The main stairway should be located near the entrance/exit for easy access.
  In multi-storey public or commercial buildings, at least two staircases are required
for emergency egress.

 Staircases must be unobstructed, well-lit, and ventilated.

 Minimum stair width depends on occupancy:

o Residential: 0.9 m – 1.0 m

o Public/commercial: 1.2 m – 1.5 m or more

4. Dimensional Requirements

 Tread (going): Minimum 250 mm (25 cm) for safe footing.

 Riser: Maximum 180 mm (18 cm); must be uniform in height throughout.

 Width:

o Residential: not less than 900 mm

o Public: 1200 mm or more

 Headroom clearance: Minimum 2.1 m (2100 mm) above any step.

 Landing: Required after 12–16 steps; length of landing = width of stair.

 Handrails:

o Height: 850–950 mm above the tread nosing.

o Should be continuous and easy to grip.

 Slope: Comfortable angle between 25°–40°.

5. Safety Requirements

 Uniformity: All risers and treads must be of equal dimensions.

 Non-slip surface: Treads should be slip-resistant.

 Handrails: Provided on both sides for wide stairs.

 Guardrails: Must be provided where stairs are open to a drop (min height 900 mm).

 Lighting: Adequate natural/artificial lighting must be provided.

 Emergency stairs: In high-rise/public buildings, separate fire-exit staircases must be

fire-resistant, enclosed, and ventilated.
 Accessibility: At least one stair should comply with universal design (for people with
disabilities, elderly, and children).