INTRODUCTION

A staircase is a series of steps that connect one level of a building to

another. In another word, A staircase or stairway is one or more
flights of stairs leading from one floor to another, and includes
landings, newel posts, handrails, balustrades and additional parts.
Staircase is common architectural feature and come in many styles. It
is very important part of a building. For different types of building, the
sizes of the stairs differ. Traditionally, staircase is term for stairs
accompanied by walls, but contemporary usage includes the stairs
Figure 1. Staircase
alone.

Stairs may be made from various materials like timber, stones, bricks, steels, plain concrete or
reinforced concrete. The selection of the type of material to be used depends upon the aesthetical
importance, fund available and qualities expected.

Components/Technical terms of staircase

As defined a staircase is composition of various types of components which are explain as follow:

1. Steps:
Step is a combination of tread and riser which permits ascent and descent from one floor to
another. A staircase or stairway is one or more flights of stairs leading from one floor to another.
It also includes newel posts, handrails, and additional parts.
2. Tread:
Tread is the part of the stairway that is stepped on. It is constructed to the same specifications
(thickness) as any other flooring. The tread "depth" is measured from the back of one tread to
the back of the next. The "width" is measured from one side to the other.
3. Riser:
The vertical member of the step is known as riser. It is used to support and connect successive
treads. It may be closed or open, depending on the style of the stairs.
4. Flight:
A flight of stairs is a set of consecutive steps without any landings or other features. The steps
are evenly spaced without a break and have the same rise and run per tread. A flight can take
the form of a straight, spiral, or curved staircase.
5. Landing:
A horizontal platform between two successive flights of a stair is called landing. Landing is used
as a resting place during use of the stair. It facilitates the change of direction of the flight.
Landing which extends for full width of the staircase is known as half-space landing. Landing
extending for only half the width of staircase is known as quarter space landing.
6. Nosing:
Nosing is usually the rounded edge of a stair tread that projects over the riser. And is also similar
rounded projection. Stair nosings are useful for improving the safety of staircases, providing
extra grip on the edge of individual stairs while also providing an additional layer of protection
against wear or damage to the stair itself.
7. Scotia:
Scotia is a moulding provided under the nosing to improve the elevation of the step, and to
provide strength to nosing.
8. Line of nosing:
Line of nosing is an imaginary line parallel to the strings and tangential to the nosings. It is useful
in the construction of hand rails, giving the line with which the under surface of the hand rail
should coincide.
9. Flier:
Filer is a straight step having a parallel width of tread.
10. Winder:
They are tapering steps used for changing the direction of a stair.
11. Going of step:
The horizontal distance between the faces of any two consecutive risers is known as Going. It is
the tread portion of the stair excluding the nosing.
It is an important design criterion for the safety and accessibility of the staircase. An optimum
amount of going is necessary for the people to place their entire foot on the tread without
feeling crowded or needing to adjust their feet.
12. Rise of step:
It is the vertical distance between the upper surface of the successive.
13. Soffit:
14. Soffit is a structural member of a staircase that runs vertically along the side of the stairs, usually
above the handrail. It supports the upper area of the stairs and may also act as an ornamental
feature.
15. Stringer:
Stringers are inclined boards or beams that run along the sides of the staircase, providing the
framework onto which the treads and risers of the steps are attached. Stringers provide
structural support to the staircase and contribute to the overall visual appearance of the
stairway. There are two types of stringers widely used in staircase design. They are open
stringers and closed stringers.
In open stringers the treads and risers of the staircase are attached to the outer edges of the
stringers, leaving the sides of the steps (treads) exposed.
In closed stringers, the treads and risers of the staircase are fully enclosed by the stringers,
creating a clean and finished appearance.
16. Run:
The run of the stairs is the total length of the stairs in a horizontal plane, including landings. In
simpler terms, it is the total length you cover horizontally as you ascend or descend the flight of
 the stairs.It is an important parameter in the staircase design, as it affects the comfort, safety,
and usability of the staircase.
17. Pitch or slope:
By definition, it is the angle that the line of nosing makes with the horizontal plane. It refers to
the angle of inclination or steepness of the staircase. It describes how much the staircase rises
vertically for a given horizontal distance.
18. Headroom:
It is clear vertical distance between the tread of a step and the soffit of the flight or the ceiling
of a landing immediately over it.
19. Handrail:
This is a protective bar placed at a convenient distance above the stairs and it runs along the side of the
staircase, providing support for people to hold on during ascending or descending the stairs.
20. Baluster:
It is a vertical decorative support element, commonly used in railings and staircases. It is
positioned in a row between the handrail and the base rail or tread of the stair.It prevents the
risk of falling and provides structural support to the handrail. In addition to that, it also comes in
a wide range of designs and shapes, thereby enhancing the overall visual appeal of the staircase.
A baluster is also known as a stair stick or a spindle.
21. Balustrade:
It usually consists of a row of balusters surmounted by a rail and is provided to perform the
function of a fence or guard for the users of the stair way.
22. Newel post:
A Newel post is a vertical member that serves as a prominent structural and decorative element
in staircases and railing systems. Newel posts are typically larger and more substantial than the
balusters and are typically located at the main transition points of the staircase such as the
bottom and top of a flight of stairs and at intermediate landings.
The handrails and the railing systems are supported by the newel post. It is often designed to be
visually appealing and can serve as a focal point in the overall design of the staircase.

REQUIREMENTS OF GOOD STAIRCASE:

A good stair should provide an easy, quick and safe mode of communication between the various floors
of the building. General requirements of good stairs are as mentioned below.

1. Location - it should preferably be located centrally, ensuring sufficient light and ventilation.
2. Width of stair - the width of stairs for public buildings should be 1.8 m and for residential
buildings 0.9 m.
3. Length - the flight of the stairs should be restricted to a maximum of 12 and minimum of 3
steps.
4. Pitch of stair – the pitch of long stairs should be made flatter by introducing landing. The slope
should not exceed 400 and should not be less than 250.
5. Head room - the distance between the tread and soffit of the flight immediately above it, should
not be less than 2.1 to 2.3 m. this much of height is maintained so that a tall person can use the
stairs with some luggage on its head.
6. Materials - stairs should be constructed using fire resisting materials. Materials also should have
sufficient strength to resist any impact.
7. Balustrade - all open well stairs should be provided with balustrades, to avoid accidents. in case
of wide stairs it should be provided with hand rails on both sides.
8. Landing - the width of the landing should not be less than the width of the stair.
9. Winders - these should be avoided and if found necessary, may be provided at lower end of the
flight.
10. Step proportions - the ratio of the going and the rise of a step should be well proportioned to
ensure a comfortable access to the stair way. Following empirical rules may be followed.
 Treads/Goings in cm + 2 (rise in cm) = 60
 Treads/Goings in cm x (rise in cm) = 400 to 450 appx.
 Treads/Goings in cm + (rise in cm) = 40 to 45 appx.
 Standard sizes: Tread 30 cm, Rise 14 cm