BISON PRECAST STAIR SPECIFICATION

1.0 SCOPE OF THE SPECIFICATION

1.01 Relates to: This specification covers the design, manufacture and associated site work of
the following types of stairs:-
Prestressed stairs
Reinforced Concrete stairs
1.02 Description of stairs
The precast stairs are designed and manufactured as prestressed precast stairs or
as reinforced precast stairs.

2.0 MATERIALS
2.01 Standards: All materials are to be in accordance with the appropriate British Standard
and this specification.
2.02 Concrete: The design strengths of concrete used in the design and manufacture of Bison
units is as follows:-
Prestressed Design
Ultimate Concrete Strength is to be a minimum of 55 N/sq.mm
Concrete Strength at transfer is to be 30 N/sq.mm
Reinforced Design
Ultimate Concrete Strength is a minimum of 45 N/sq.mm.
2.03 Admixture: An air entraining agent complying with BS 5075 Pt.2:1982 is included in the
concrete mix to improve workability.
2.04 Reinforcement: Reinforcement for prestressed precast stairs is generally 5mm diameter
high tensile wire complying with the requirements of BS 5896:1980. Reinforcement for
reinforced precast stairs is generally high yield, high bond bars complying with the
requirements of BS 4449 and BS 4483.

3.0 DESIGN
3.01 Code: The design of Bison units is in accordance with the requirements and
recommendations of BS 8110:1997 The Structural Use of Concrete.
3.02 Service Class: The design of Bison units is to Serviceability classification, Class 3 with
a limiting crack width of 0.1mm.
3.03 Durability: The standard Bison stair is suitable for a moderate exposure classification
as defined in Table 3.2 of BS 8110:1997.
3.04 Fire: Fire resistance is based upon the tabulated data contained within BS 8110 : Part 2
Section 4. Sections are available for fire periods of 1 hour or 2 hours without
the addition of further finishes.
These periods of fire resistance may be further enhanced by the application of appropriate
finishes.
3.05 Horizontal and Vertical Ties: Ties necessary to satisfy the requirements for accidental
damage should be specified by the Engineer with the responsibility for the design of the
overall structure in accordance with the relevant Codes of Practice.

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4.0 MANUFACTURE
4.01 Method of Manufacture: Bison standard precast stairs are manufactured in precision
engineered steel moulds United Kingdom patent numbers 2193922 and 2217359.
Other stairs to suit specialist requirements may be made using ramp moulds with timber
stringers and risers.
4.02 Mould: The design of the mould is such that any riser height within the range of 150mm
to 210mm is available. Alternative tread dimensions of 250mm, 275mm and 305mm are
available. These are fixed dimensions, as is the rake of the riser. Thus the going varies
very slightly with the riser dimension as shown in the table below.
To achieve the economic benefits in offering Bison standard precast staircases, it is
assumed that minor modifications can be made to the stairwell dimensions to
accommodate the standard units.

RISER 152 156 160 164 168 172 176 180 184
Recede 21.5 22.0 22.5 23.0 23.5 24.0 24.5 25.0 25.5
Tread 250 Going 228.5 228.0 227.5 227.0 226.0 225.5 225.0 224.5 224.0

275 253.5 253.0 252.5 252.0 251.0 250.5 250.0 249.5 249.0
305 283.5 283.0 282.5 282.0 281.0 280.5 280.0 279.5 279.0
RISER 188 192 196 200 204 208
Recede 26.0 26.5 27.0 27.5 28.5 29.0
Tread 250 Going 224.0 223.5 223.0 222.5

275 249.0 248.5 248.0 248.0 247.0 246.0

305 279.0 278.5 278.0 278.0 277.0 276.0

4.03 Dimensions: Bison Standard staircases may be manufactured up to 2.0m wide. Special
widths may be provided using ramp moulds which are of timber manufacture. The
maximum length of the Bison standard staircase is 11.00m. However the length of the
stair may be restricted due to the weight considerations during manufacture.
4.04 Permitted Deviations: Cross-sectional tolerances are within the limits set out in clause
6.2.8.3 of BS 8110:1997.
4.05 Balustrade Fixings: It is recommended that these are drilled on site by others to suit
individual requirements. A minimum dimension of 50mm should be allowed between
the edge of a pocket of fixing and the edge of the concrete.
4.06 Lifting points: These will be provided in the factory as proprietary inserts to be made
good on site by others.
4.07 Finishes: The Bison Standard staircase is cast on its side, all surfaces with the exception
of one string are from an engineered steel mould face giving excellent quality.
Concrete surface finish to soffit is a Type A finish as described in clause 6.2.7.3 of
BS8110:1997. The treads and risers are suitable for the direct application of carpet or
tiles or for a screed finish applied with a suitable bonding agent.
The soffit is suitable for the direct application of a textured paint finish where this is
applied in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.
Where a plaster finish is intended it may be necessary to use a bonding agent in
accordance with the instructions of the plaster manufacturer.
4.08 Landings: Prestressed and reinforced landings are available. These are used in
conjunction with a screed.

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4.09 Angles: Purpose made angles may be provided at the end of flights or stairs to
bear onto other concrete members such as landings or beams. The design of these
is subject to strict limits and may require that additional support is provided.

5.0 SITE WORK

5.01 Standard: All site work is to be undertaken in accordance with the best current practice
and Health & Safety legislation. For further advice reference should be made to the
"Code of Practice for the Safe Erection of Precast Concrete Flooring".
5.02 Bearings: Level and structurally adequate bearings for Bison precast units are to be
provided by others. These should generally be 100mm for masonry or 75mm for
concrete or steelwork, but may be reduced in accordance with clause 5.2.3 of BS
8110:1997.
5.03 Temporary Bearings/Propping: Unless the design specifically allows for units to seat
onto temporary bearings (i.e. head trees and bearers, etc.) this practice shall be avoided
wherever possible. In cases where such measures are unavoidable, fixing must not
progress until permission has been obtained from a competent technical authority within
the Bison organisation.
We shall specify on our working drawings details and duration of any temporary
propping that may be required.
5.04 Holes and Cutouts: Small holes up to 60mm diameter may be drilled on site. Larger
holes may be cut subject to the design capacity of the staircase.
5.05 Lifting sockets: All sockets formed for lifting purposes are to be filled and made good
by others, when erection is complete.
5.05 Soffit fixings: Several fast and cost effective proprietary systems are available for direct
fixing to concrete and we shall be pleased to provide details on request.

6.0 QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

6.01 QMS Reference Bison are members of the BSI Registered Firm Scheme for Quality
Management Systems to BS EN ISO 9001:2000 for the design, manufacture and
installation of precast products.
6.02 Scope: Membership of the scheme ensures that all procedures and disciplines relevant to
the design and manufacturing processes relevant to the design, manufacture and
installation of precast products are subject to independent review and approval by the
British Standards Institution.