1. Stair design and construction
Brisbane North Point Institute of TAFE Certificate 3 in Stonemasonry
BCF3027A Lay stair & floor surfaces
Brisbane City Hall staircase

2. Stair facts
In February 2003, Canberra’s Paul Crake won the Empire State Building ‘run-up’ for the fifth consecutive time
He ran up
86 levels
1576 stairs
Rising 303m from start to finish
in 9 minutes 33 seconds!

3. Paul ascended 1576 steps through 86 levels to rise 303m
Stair facts
Paul ascended 1576 steps through 86 levels to rise 303m
That’s
3.52m per level
Average 18.3 steps per level
192.25mm per step

4. Stair geometry
Stair safety and geometry are related- rhythmic movement along a straight line is important for safe ascent or descent
Milton, H.J. (1994). Glossary of Building Terms. Standards Australia, Sydney (p 364)

5. Stair proportions Imperial (feet and inches)
Rise (R) ≥ 6”; Going (G) ≤ 12”
2R” + G” = 23”
17” ≤ (R” + G”) ≤ 17.5”
70” ≤ (R” x G”) ≤ 75”
Metric
150mm ≤ R ≤ 215mm; 215mm ≤ G ≤ 305mm
≤ (Rmm x Gmm) ≤

6. Stair angles
According to AS (Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways & ladders- Design, construction & installation), stairways should be angled between and 450-
That’s between 1 in 2 and 1 in 1
Rise = 1
Going = 2
Rise = 1
Going = 1
450
26.50

7. Limits of slope AS fig 1.1
AS Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways & ladders- Design, construction & installation (p 5)

8. Stairway rises & goings AS 1657-1992 fig. 4.3
AS Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways & ladders- Design, construction & installation (p 14)

9. Stair words Baluster Balustrade Go Going Handrail Headroom Rise Riser
Step
Tread
Wall string
Landing
Newel post
Nosing
Outer string
Pitch
Pitch line

10. Stair type 1 Straight flight stair
4.1 Stairways >600mm between handrails
4.1 Slope not less than & not more than 450
Milton, H.J. (1994). Glossary of Building Terms. Standards Australia, Sydney (p 364)

11. Stair type 2 Straight two-flight stair with half-landing
4.2.1 stairs constructed in flights straight or curved horizontally
4.2.2 Number of rises not to exceed 18 in a flight; not more than 36 rises without a change in direction
Milton, H.J. (1994). Glossary of Building Terms. Standards Australia, Sydney (p 364)

12. Stair type 3 Quarter-turn stair with landing
4.3.1 All treads to be slip resistant, with provision made for drainage
4.3.1 (a) Rises & goings (in the same flight) to be within ± 5mm
Milton, H.J. (1994). Glossary of Building Terms. Standards Australia, Sydney (p 364)

13. Stair type 4 Dogleg stair with half-landing
4.3.2 Head clearance min 2000mm vertically from nosing of tread
4.3.3 Nosing of tread must be highlighted
Milton, H.J. (1994). Glossary of Building Terms. Standards Australia, Sydney (p 364)

14. Stair type 5 Open-well stair with two quarter landings
4.3.1 (b) Each rise not less than 150mm & not more than 215mm
4.3.1 (c) Each going not less than 215mm & not more than 305mm
Milton, H.J. (1994). Glossary of Building Terms. Standards Australia, Sydney (p 364)

15. Stair type 6 Quarter-turn stair with winders 4.4 Landings:
(a)  Length & width must be not less than the stairway
(b)  Landing minimum vertical clearance 2000mm
(c) Every access landing- standing space at least 600mm clear of cross-traffic or door swing
Milton, H.J. (1994). Glossary of Building Terms. Standards Australia, Sydney (p 364)

16. Stair type 7 Spiral stair with central column
4.2.3 Radius to centre line of stairway not less than 600mm; where radius to centre line is less than 3000mm, maximum width of curved stairway 750mm
Milton, H.J. (1994). Glossary of Building Terms. Standards Australia, Sydney (p 364)

17. Stair type 8 Circular stair with central well
4.3.1 (c) Each Going not less than 215mm & not more than 305mm
Milton, H.J. (1994). Glossary of Building Terms. Standards Australia, Sydney (p 364)

18. Stair type 9 Geometric stair (900) turn
4.3.1 (d) < RxG <48 000
4.3.1 (e) Tread width must not be less than the going and there must be an overhang of at least 10mm
Milton, H.J. (1994). Glossary of Building Terms. Standards Australia, Sydney (p 364)

19. THE END