STAIRCASE

Carpenters who have experienced building stairs

have found it to be an art itself. Technically,
building staircase requires structural carpentry and
craftsmanship of cabinet making. It is like
constructing an inclined bridge between two
points on different floors with uniform well
proportional treads and risers that are safe
and comfortable to climb and descend.
Aflightorseriesofflightsofstepsanda
supportingstructureconnectingseparate
levels.Alsocalledstairway. Stairs may be
straight, round, or may consist of two or
more straight pieces connected at angles.
Technical Terms used in building staircase:
Baluster a small post supporting the hand rail or a coping.
Bearer- is a support for winders wedged into the walls secured by the
stringer.
Carriage- is that portion supporting the steps of a wooden stairs.
Flight of Stairs- a series of steps leading from one landing to the
another
Front string- the string on the side of the stairs where handrail is
placed
Handrail- a rail running parallel with the inclination of the stairs that
holds the balusters.
Hallow Newel- an opening in the middle of the staircase as
distinguished from solid newel wherein the ends of steps are attached.
Landing- the horizontal floor as resting place in flight
Newel- the central column where the steps of a circular staircase wind
Nosing- the front edge of the steps that project beyond the riser.
 Rise- the height of a flight of stairs from landing to landing or the
height between successive treads or stairs.
Riser- the vertical face of a stair step.
Run- the horizontal distance from the first to the riser of a stair
flight.
Spandrel- the angle formed by stairway.
Stair builders truss- crossed beams which support the landing
of a stair.
Stair head- the initial stair at the top of a flight of a stair or
staircase.
Stair headroom- the clear vertical height measured from the
nosing of a stair tread to any overhead obstruction
Stair well- the vertical shaft which contain a staircase.
Step- a stair which consist of one tread and one riser
Steps- the assembly consisting of a tread and a riser.
 Soffit- the underneath of an arch or molding
String board- the board next to the wall hole which receives the
end of the steps.
Tread run- the horizontal distance between two consecutive risers,
or the horizontal distance between the nosing or the outer edges of
successive treads on an open riser stair all measured perpendicular
to the front edges of the nosing or tread.
Tread- the horizontal part of a tread inclusing the nosing.
Wall string- the board placed against the wall to receive the end of
the step
Well- the place occupied by the flight of stairs.
Well hole- the opening in the floor at the top of a flight or stairs
Winders- steps not parallel with each other
Wreath- the whole of a helically curved hand rail.
Anatomy
of
Staircase
 The Fundamental principles in laying out staircase are:

1. Determine first the clear height of the riser in meter. Normally the
standard comfortable riser per step is from 17 to 18
centimeters. The maximum height of a step riser is 20
centimeters and is only allowed on a special considerations
where the physical conditions dictate. However, this height is
understood to be not comfortable for both ascending and
descending the stairs.
2. Determine the number of steps from the first to the next floor by
dividing the total height of the rise by the chosen step riser of
either 17 to 18 centimeters.
 Divie the run distance by the effective width of the tread which normally
3.
measured as follows:
Width Tread Effective Width
25cm 20cm
30cm 25cm
35cm 30cm

Effective width of the tread is its width minus the nosing

4. If the result of step 3 is less than that of step , adjust the length of the run
or the width of the tread to obtain an equal distances and proportional steps.
5. The height of the risers should be equal and uniform from the first to the
last step of the stair. No fractional value in dividing the rise by the riser per
step
6. If fractional value could not be avoided in dividing the rise by the
riser, adjust the fractional value in equal proportion to the number of
risers, but in no case shall the riser per step be greater than 19
centimeters nor less than 17 centimeters. Otherwise, the stairs will not
be considered as comfortable to ascend and descend.
Example:
From the figure, determine the number of steps and the height of
the riser if the total height of the rise is 2.20 meters using a 30
centimeters width of the tread
 Solution:

1. The height of the rise is 2.20 meters. Assume 17cm riser Divide:

2. The answer has a fractional amount of .94. The rule says: There
should be no fractional value in dividing the rise by the riser.
Thus, adjust to have an equal height per riser.
3.From the result of step 2, use the whole value of 12 disregarding the
decimal of .94.
4. The 18.3 centimeters is now the height of the risers per step instead
of 17 as assumed. This value is within the range of 17 and 19
centimeters. Considered as comfortable stair.
5. Determine the distance of the run using the formula.
Run = No. of steps 1 x Effective width of the tread
Where:
Effective width = Tread width Nosing
(Nosing is from 2 to 5 centimeters)

Run = 12 1 x .25cm
Run = 2.75 meters
(There were instances where the length of the run and the height of
the rise are known or given, the question is how to determine the width
of the tread and the height of each riser.)
Example 2:
Determine the height of the riser and the width of the tread when the
rise is 2.65 meters and the run is 2.75 meters
Solution:

1. Assume the riser height to be 18 centimeters.

2. Divide the rise height by 18 centimeters.

3. Assuming that there are 15 steps instead of 14.72. Determine the

final height of the riser.

4. Assume that the tread width is 30 centimeters the effective width

of the steps is 30 minus .05 meter nosig = 25 centimeters.
5. If there are 15 steps, multiply by the effective width of the tread
Run = Number of steps 1 x .25cm.
Run= (15-1) x .25 = 3.5 meters or 350 centimeters.
 Take note that 3.50 meters is longer than 2.75 meter distance of the
run as specified in the problem, therefore, adjustment of the tread
width is necessary.

a. From step 4, assume tread width = 25 not 30cm

b. The effective width is: 25cm 5cm nosing = 20cm.
c. Check distance by trial multiplication:

Run = Number of steps x Effective width

Run = 14 x .20 = 2.80 meters.

d. This value is acceptable since existing distance of the run is 2.75

meters with a difference of 5cm. Which could be adjusted
proportionally to the number of steps.
 The Stringer
Stringer is the inclined plane supporting the treads and
the risers of a stair. The length of the stringer is
determined by the use of the Pythagorean Formula or by
actual measurement using a meter rule or a tape.
The Steel Square is very useful and effective tool in
staircase framing. Know its functions and a satisfactory
result will be obtained. Stringer is Classified according to
the methods of attaching the risers and the tread.
 The Different type of Stringer
are:
Cut type stringer is popularly used in most modern and
contemporary house designs.

Cleated type stringer- is used for a very rough work.

 Built-up type stringer- is adopted on a wide stairs that requires a
center stringer

Rabbet type stringer is adopted on fine works usually made at

the mill. The risers and treads are held in the rabbets by wedges
that are set in with glue.
Example :
From the figure, determine the length of an open cut type stringer
with the following data: Run distance = 3.50 meters & Height
of the rise = 2.50 meters
Solution

Using the formula :

Stringer Length = +
Length =
Length = 4.30 meters or 14.3 ft

Find the number of steps assuming 18 centimeter Riser height.

This problem can be solved
instantly using the Table.
1. Length of stringer is =
4.31 meters (See column
under width 30 cm. along
14 number of steps)

2. Length of Run is = 3.50

meters (See under
column width 30cm.
Along 14 number of
steps.)

3. Riser Height is = 2.52

meters (See under height
of riser 18cm)
Stair Inclination Angle:

Spiral Stairs:

Ladder 50 to 90
Ramp 1 to 20
Stairs 20 to 50
Ideal Stairs 30 to 35

Open Riser Tread Cantilever Tread

Tread No. of Riser Head
Degree tread in cm room
s Circle Meter
22- 16 17.5 2.10
30 12-13 18.0 2.00
28-0 12-13 20.0 2.00
30-0