Building Planning for Staircases

Relativity, 1953, M.C. ESCHER

Evolution of Staircases

Why do we need Staircase? Staircase Terminology

Types of Staircases

Building Codes on StaircaseUniversal Design of

StaircaseStaircase Unlimited

Resources

“Staircases are one of the oldest building elements in architectural histories…reflecting the prevailing philosophies and symbolic language…”

- Staircases through history by Eva Jiricna

Angkor Wat Steps, Cambodia

Symbolic Meaning of Staircase

Paris Opera House by Charles Garnier, Beaux Arts Architecture Movement

Reflecting Architectural Movement

Glass Spiral Staircase at Apple Store , Boston

Staircase as a Lifestyle

“…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

handrails or guides to assist movement

landings to break a fall and provide a place for rest

sufficient headroom to avoid injury

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

Tread

Riser

Nosing

Staircase Terminology

Pitch line

Pitch

Min Headroom

Total rise

Total going

Staircase Terminology

Landing

Landing

Staircase TerminologyHandrail

Balustrade

Straight Flight Staircase

Straight two-flight stair with half-landing

Quarter-turn stair with landing

Dogleg stair with half-landing

Quarter-turn stair with winders

Spiral stair with central column

Circular stair with central well

No projection, other than handrails, is allowed in a staircasewithin a height of 2.0 m from the landing or pitch line.

2.0 m headroom

Pitch line

Handrail

Projection

Landing

Landing

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

Width of Staircase

900mm

900mm

900mm

The height of a riser shall not be more than 175 mm. The width of a tread shall not be less than 250 mmThe risers and treads within each flight of stairs shall be of uniform height and size.

Treadmin 250mm

Riser max

175mm

Risers & Treads

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 directionof travel, shall not be less than 900 mm.

Landings of Staircase

min 900mm

min 900mm

The headroom of any staircase shall not be less than 2.0 m.

2.0 m headroom

Pitch line

Handrail

Headroom

Landing

Landing

A handrail shall be provided on at least one side of the flight ofstaircase.

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

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 formedaround 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

150mmMin

900mm

“design for all people”.

Universal Design

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

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

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

Handrail

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

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.

Form

Feature Staircase at Lobby, New Majestic Hotel, Singapore

Material

Feature Staircase, Longchamp Retail Store in New York City

Detailing

Hanging Staircase, Apple Store, Beijing

Lighting

Staircase, Stadium Circle Line MRT Station