Saint Louis University

School of Engineering and Architecture

RSW- PR- 01: STAIR DESIGN

AR 1211: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2

BY:
VILLADUZ, KIRSTEN CLAIRE V. / 2232275
JANUARY 31, 2023

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………… . 3

1.1 Stair Definition…………………………………………………………………………… 3

1.2 Definition of Terms used in Stairs……………………………………………………….. 3
1.3 Building Laws / Requirements …………………………………………………………… 4
1.3.1 Table Diagram. Comparison………………………………………………………….4
1.3.2 Table Diagram: Dimensional Criteria for Fire Escape Stairs (Philippine Fire Code)…5
1.4 Types of Stairs……………………………………………………………………………..5
1.5 Why do we need Stairs…………………………………………………………………… 6
1.5.1 Access………………………………………………………………………………...6
1.5.2 Space………………………………………………………………………………….6
1.5.3 Aesthetic …………………………………………………………………………….. 7

2. REFERENCES …………………………………………………………………………………...8

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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Stairs Definition
A structure called stairs is used to divide a long vertical distance between lower and higher levels
into smaller vertical distances. Stairs refer to a whole flight of steps that connects two floors in a building.
A set of stairs or steps that separates landings is referred to as a flight of stairs. This is done by creating a
diagonal row of platforms, known as steps, that are horizontal and provide access to the next level by
walking from one to the next step sequentially.

Stairs are a straightforward and convenient technique for going from one level to another. The area
above ground level might improve the amount of room a structure could give, although, in ancient times,
homes and shelters only had one floor.

1.2 Definition of Terms used in Stairs

• STEP. This stair section allows users to get from one floor to another by rising or descending. It is
made up of a riser and a tread. A stair is made up of several steps.

• TREAD. The tread is the part of a step that is horizontal. The area of the staircase that is walked on. It
is made to the exact dimensions/ thickness of other floors. The distance between the back of one tread
and the back of the following tread is known as the tread "depth." From one side to the other, the
"width" is measured.

• RISER. The almost vertical part of a series of steps creates a gap between each step. Sometimes it leans
slightly from the vertical such that the person ascending the steps is closer to the top of it than the base.

• RISE. It is the vertical separation between two tread faces that follow one another.

• NOSING. The tread's leading edge extends past the riser.

• LANDING. Usually used to enable stairs to turn or to give the user a break. A quarter landing involves
a 90° shift in direction, whereas a half landing involves a 180° change in order.

• FLIGHT. A continuous flight of steps leading from one floor or landing to another.

• RUN. The horizontal separation between a flight of stairs first and last risers.

• STAIRHEAD. The top landing of a stairway

• STRINGS OR STRINGERS. These are the sloping elements that hold the stair steps upright. They go
quickly down the slope of the stairs. Typically, there are three stringers—one on each side and one in
the middle—and additional ones may be added for broader spans.

• BALUSTER. These little vertical components serve as the handrailing's supports.

• BALUSTRADE. A railing with balusters serving as supports.

• NEWEL. A post at the top or bottom of a flight of steps supporting one end of a railing. Also known
as a newel post.

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• WINDER. A stair step for changing directions that is roughly wedge-shaped.

• PITCH. The steps' slope, gradient, or steepness as measured from the pitch line to the horizontal.

1.3 Building Laws/ Requirements

Stairs need to have specific dimensions in order for people to utilize them comfortably and safely.
Building rules often stipulate specific dimensions to ensure the steps are not overly small or steep. The
National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096) stipulates that stairs must have a minimum clear width
of 750 millimeters, a rise of 200 millimeters, and a minimum run of 200 millimeters. The rise height or rise
of each step is determined by the distance between the top of one tread and the next. It is not the riser's
actual height, as that would include the tread's thickness. Each step a person would take on the stairs would
cause them to ascend this distance vertically. Stair measures, particularly the rise height and direction of
the steps, should stay constant throughout the staircase.
1.3.1 Table Diagram. Comparison

MAXIMUM MINIMUM MINIMUM MINIMUM HANDRAIL

RISER TREAD WIDTH HEADROOM HEIGHT
HEIGHT
PD 1096 200 mm 250 mm Occupant load is 200 cm 800-900 mm
(NATIONAL less than 10:75
BUILDING cm
CODE OF THE Occupant load is
PHILIPPINES) from 10-50:90 cm
Occupant load is
more than 50: 110
cm
BP 344 (THE - - - - -
ACCESSIBILITY
LAW)
RA 9514 (FIRE For existing For existing For existing stairs 200 cm 760- 865 mm
CODE OF THE stairs: 205 stairs: 230 915 mm
PHILIPPINES) mm mm For new stairs
For new For new (occupant load=
stairs: 100- stairs: 280 0-49): 915 mm
180 mm mm For new stairs
(occupant load=
50- 1,999): 112
cm
For new stairs
(occupant load=
2,000- 2,000+):
142 cm

BP 220 250 mm 200 mm 600 mm 200 cm 800- 1,200

(SOCIALIZED mm
AND
ECONOMIC
HOUSING)

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1.3.2 Table Diagram: Dimensional Criteria for Fire Escape Stairs (Philippine Fire Code)

PARTICULARS DIMENSIONS
Minimum Widths 600 mm clear between rails
Minimum horizontal dimensions for any landing 600 mm
of the platform
Maximum rise 230 mm
Minimum tread, exclusive of nosing 230 mm
Tread Construction Solid, 13.00 mm diameter perforation permitted
Winders (spiral) NONE
Risers NONE
Maximum height between landings 3.66 m
Minimum headroom 2.00 m
Access to escape Door or casement windows 610 mm by 1.98m or
double hung windows 762 mm by 914.40 mm
clear
Level of the access opening Not over 305 mm above the floor; steps if higher
Discharge to Ground Swinging stair section permitted
Capacity number of persons 45 per unit access by the door; 20 if access by
climbing over the window rail

1.4 Types of Stairs

 STRAIGHT STAIRS - One linear flight of steps with no direction change is known as straight
stairs.

 STRAIGHT STAIRS WITH INTERMEDIATE LANDING- In this variation of the straight

staircase, a large section of stairs is broken up by a central landing. The usage of this kind of
staircase is mandated by the building code if a staircase has to be taller than 12 feet.

 STRAIGHT STAIRS WITH TOP LANDING- A landing that extends to the floor is included at
the top of this form of straight stair. The stair can run parallel to the floor with the landing at the
top providing greater stair arrangement flexibility.

 QUARTER TURN STAIRS (L-SHAPED STAIRS)- This staircase's notable characteristic is its
90-degree turn after a landing. After that, the steps go left or right. The landing might be positioned
closer to one end or the other of the staircase, however, it is often toward the center.

 SWITCHBACK STAIRS (U-SHAPED STAIRS)- Another type of straight stair is the switchback
stair, which has a 180-degree turn, or U-shape, at the landing between the two parallel flights of
steps.

 ALTERNATING TREAD STAIRS- To increase tread depth on stairs with alternating treads, the
unneeded half tread is eliminated.

 SCISSOR STAIRS- Scissor stairs are made up of two independent flights of steps that offer two
distinct routes for ascending or descending and are contained within a single staircase enclosure.

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 WINDER STAIRS- Quarter-turn or l-shaped stairs are comparable to winder steps. However,
winder stairs are continuous with pie-shaped or triangular steps at the corner transition rather than
having a flat landing where the turn is made.

 LADDER STAIRS (SHIP STAIRS)- The steepest steps are ladder or ship ladder stairs. Ladder
stairs are a great solution for tiny homes and cramped locations.

 CURVED STAIRS- An uninterrupted flight of stairs that follows the bend in the railing
characterizes a curved staircase instead of having a landing. Curved stairs do not create a circle or
spiral.

 CIRCULAR STAIRS- Circular stairs have a single point of curvature and a broad radius that
resembles a circle. While circular stairs indeed revolve around and have tapering steps, they
resemble regular stairs more than spiral staircases because of the more relaxed curve.

 FLOATING STAIRS (CANTILEVER STAIRS)- A floating or cantilever staircase with treads but
no risers may add interest to a linear staircase. In order to hide the support structure, the stair treads
are frequently fastened to the wall. In other instances, the risers might be made of glass or plexiglass
to give the illusion that they are floating.

 SPIRAL STAIRS- Typically, spiral staircases are built quite closely together. A center pillar to
which all steps are fastened makes up a true spiral staircase.

 BIFURCATED STAIRS (SPLIT STAIRCASE)- A spacious landing is reached by one wide, long
flight of stairs, from which two shorter flights branch out to the right and left.

The staircase is typically one of the first essential components to be listed when listing the main
components of a house design. A staircase in a new building's plan is usually crucial since it frequently
affects how the entire property is laid out. However, why do we require this feature? Let's take a closer look
at the functions of a staircase and its importance in house design.

1.5 Why do we need Stairs

1.5.1 ACCESS

Stairs are a quick and convenient technique for going from one level to another. The area above
ground level might improve the amount of room a structure could give, although, in ancient times, homes
and shelters only had one floor. Users of these buildings could easily and quickly access the top floors
thanks to the staircases, which rapidly became more critical as the structures expanded. By installing ramps
and stairlifts, staircases may be even more accessible to persons of all physical abilities.

1.5.2 SPACE

A staircase's design can be used in contemporary structures in various ways, such as a sculptural
focal point, a wall to divide a vast open space, and even a clever storage solution. They may be modified
to store bookcases, have cabinets placed beneath them, and add drawers to the risers. Spiral stairs were
employed hundreds of years ago to help defend buildings like castles. Since most sworders were right-
handed, the wall's curvature would have made it difficult for attackers climbing the clockwise-oriented
staircases to wield their swords. Those defending would often go down the steps, making it easier for them

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to maneuver around. The spiral staircase is valuable today in a different way because it occupies very little
floor space. After all, the head of the steps sits vertically above the foot.

1.5.3 AESTHETIC

Many people throughout history have used this specific home feature to impress guests and visitors
as they arrived, showcasing their status and wealth through the luxury of its design. Large, opulent staircases
made of carved oak may not be particularly fashionable, affordable, or valuable, but they certainly feature
that many people have used to make an impression. Even today, the staircase is frequently the first feature
visitors notice as they enter a home's hallway. Many individuals want to take advantage of this to give their
property a chic and appealing vibe. As useful as they are, staircases can also be quite aesthetically pleasing
and a striking feature of a structure. Stairs have a significant role in a building's initial image, particularly
at the entry to a vast building. This is especially common in big structures like banks. Functional stairs offer
the potential for modern businesses and construction to truly improve structures.

With the availability of elevators and escalators in modern times, static stairs may become obsolete.
While these amenities greatly simplify life for those with mobility challenges, almost every structure with
more than one level still has a staircase. Why?

First, the cost to construct and maintain static staircases is often substantially lower. In addition,
using stairs in public buildings eliminates the need to wait for elevators to reach your floor or stop for other
people. Lastly, staircases are simple constructions that do not need power, saving the owner money and
having a considerably lesser environmental impact.

A sturdy staircase may survive for many generations without needing to be rebuilt and, depending
on the original design, can be upgraded, painted, or restored to stay in style. Although we may no longer
use them to protect our property or display our enormous riches, they are still an essential component of
many homes, and homeowners frequently take considerable delight in the style they have selected

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2. REFERENCES

16 Different Types of Stairs {Commercial, Industrial & Home}. (n.d.).

https://blog.lapeyrestair.com/types-of-stairs

burbidge, richard. (2020). Staircase glossary. Wonkee Donkee Staircase Design.

Gutierrez, D. (2019, December 9). Stairway Terminology. SoCal Stair Climbers.

https://socalstairclimbers.com/2017/11/18/stairway-terminology/

Just a moment. . . (n.d.). https://bfp.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/RA9514-RIRR-rev-

2019.pdf

Philippine Building Laws Standards : Minimum stair riser height, Minimum Stair Tread,

Minimum Stair Width, Minimum Stair Headroom. (n.d.).

https://www.veriaconcyclopedia.com/v/pp/consolidated-philippine-building-law-

standards-stair-dimensions

Sharma, S. (2017, October 12). Definitions of Technical terms used in stair case.

civilengineering.blog. https://civilengineering.blog/2017/09/17/stair-case-technical-term/

Stair Terminology | Staircase Constructions. (n.d.). https://staircaseconstructions.com.au/stair-

terminology/

Suryakanta, S. (2015, July 4). 20+ TECHNICAL TERMS GENERALLY USED DURING

STAIRCASE DESIGN. CivilBlog.Org. https://civilblog.org/2015/07/03/20-technical-

terms-generally-used-during-staircase-design/

Why We Need Staircases. (n.d.). Pear Stairs. https://www.pearstairs.co.uk/blog/why-we-need-

stairs/

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, January 30). Stairs. Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stairs