Module: Building technology and construction Lecturer: Sandra Draskovic 2014

1. Building Planning for Staircases

2. Relativity, 1953, M.C. ESCHER

3. Evolution of Staircases
Why do we need Staircase?
Staircase Terminology
Types of Staircases
Building Codes on Staircase
Universal Design of Staircase
Staircase Unlimited
Resources

5. “Staircases are one of the oldest
building elements in architectural
histories…reflecting the prevailing
philosophies and symbolic language…”
- Staircases through history by Eva Jiricna

6. Angkor Wat Steps, Cambodia
Symbolic Meaning of Staircase

7. Paris Opera House by Charles Garnier, Beaux Arts Architecture Movement
Reflecting Architectural Movement

8. Glass Spiral Staircase at Apple Store , Boston
Staircase as a Lifestyle

11. “…to protect people from injury and
to facilitate access during movement
from one level to another in a
building.”
- Building & Construction Authority (BCA)
Acceptable Solutions – under Regulation 27 of the
Building Control Regulations Ver 3.01

13. handrails or guides to assist movement

14. landings to break a fall and provide a place for rest

15. sufficient headroom to avoid injury

16. barriers against falling from 1.0 m or more from an open side

18. Tread
Riser
Nosing
Staircase Terminology

19. Pitch line
Pitch
Min Headroom
Total rise
Total going
Staircase Terminology
Landing
Landing

20. Staircase Terminology
Handrail
Balustrade

22. Straight Flight Staircase

23. Straight two-flight stair
with half-landing

24. Quarter-turn stair with landing

25. Dogleg stair with half-landing

26. Quarter-turn stair with
winders

27. Spiral stair with central column

28. Circular stair with central well

29. Helical staircase

31. No projection, other than handrails, is allowed in a staircase
within a height of 2.0 m from the landing or pitch line.
2.0 m headroom
Pitch line
Handrail
Projection
Landing
Landing

32. The width of every staircase shall not
be less than 900 mm
The width is measured from the inner
side of the wall, balustrade or handrail.
Width of Staircase
900mm
900mm
900mm

33. The height of a riser shall not be more than 175 mm.
The width of a tread shall not be less than 250 mm
The risers and treads within each flight of stairs shall
be of uniform height and size.
Tread
min 250mm
Riser
max 185mm
Risers & Treads

34. A landing shall be provided at every
floor level and door opening.
An intermediate landing shall be
provided in between floor levels at
intervals of not more than 18 risers.
The length of any intermediate
landing, measured in the direction
of travel, shall not be less than 900
mm.
Landings of Staircase
min 900mm
min 900mm

35. The headroom of any staircase shall not be less than 2.0 m.
2.0 m headroom
Pitch line
Handrail
Headroom
Landing
Landing

36. A handrail shall be provided on at
least one side of the flight of
staircase.
The height of the handrail shall be
between 750 mm and 900 mm above
the pitch line.
A handrail need not be provided for a
flight of not more than 5 steps.
A handrail may terminate at the
landing and the ends of the handrail
should be properly formed or rounded
off so that they do not pose a danger to
the user.
Handrail
Handrail
Pitch line
Between
750mm –
900mm

37. Protection from falling
Barrier
Pitch line
The height of a barrier shall not be less
than 900mm
The size of any opening or gap in a
barrier shall not be large enough as to
permit the passage of a sphere of a
diameter of 100 mm.
Any triangular opening or void formed
around a tread, riser and the bottom
edge of the barrier, the size of any
opening or gap shall not be large
enough as to permit the passage of a
sphere of a diameter of 150 mm
1o0mm
150mm
Min
900mm

39. “design for all people”.
Universal
Design

40. Uniform risers of maximum 150 mm and
treads of minimum 300 mm
All steps shall be fitted with non-slip
nosing strips between 50 mm and 65mm
in width with permanent contrasting
colours
Tactile strips should be provided at the
start and end of every flight of stairs.
Treads & Risers

41. Width of Staircase & Landings
The width of stairs is to be of minimum width of 1200 mm and should be adjusted
according to the expected flow of traffic.
Floor landings shall have a level platform of the same width as that of the stairs.
Width min 1200mm
landing min 1200mm

42. Handrails should be provided on both sides of the stairs and continuous
throughout the entire length.
Handrail

43. Handrails shall extend at least 1 tread depth or 300 mm beyond the top and bottom
step.
The height of the handrails is to be between 800 mm and 900 mm
Handrail
>300mm
800 - 900mm

44. After a maximum of 16 risers an intermediate landing should be
provided.
Staircases of widths wider than 2300 mm should be separated by a
handrail into segments between 1100 mm and 1800 mm.

46. Form
Feature Staircase at Lobby, New Majestic Hotel, Singapore

47. Material
Feature Staircase, Longchamp Retail Store in New York City

48. Detailing
Hanging Staircase, Apple Store, Beijing

49. Lighting
Staircase, Stadium Circle Line MRT Station

50. Innovations
ESSM Project, Stair Detail, Madrid, Spain. MOREMAS

51. Innovations
ESSM Project, Stair Detail, Madrid, Spain. MOREMAS

52. Innovations
ESSM Project, Stair Detail, Madrid, Spain. MOREMAS

53. Innovations
ESSM Project, Stair Detail, Madrid, Spain. MOREMAS

54. Innovations