STAIRS

Stairs are a primary method of vertical circulation in most private residences and even in public places where elevators or escalatores are present. In elevatored building, building codes will require a minimum number of enclosed exit stairs. Stair construction is typically of wood, metal, or concrete, or a combination of all three.

STAIR TYPES

Straight Run Stair:


Fire codes generally restrict the total rise of a straight stair to 12'-0"(3658) before an intermediate landing is required.
Landing depth should equal the stair width.

L-shaped Stair with Landing:


L-shaped stairs may contain long or short legs, with a landing at any change in direction.

U-shaped Stair with Landing:


U-shaped stairs, which switch back as they ascend, are useful in tight floor plans and as one component in a stacking multilevel circulation system (such as an egress stair core).

L-shaped Sair with Winders:


Winders may help to compress the area needed for a stair by adding angled treads where a landing might go in a typical L-shaped stair. Most winders do not comply with local codes.

L-shaped Stair with Offset Winders:


Offset xinder treads are ore generous in proportion and, therefore, may comply with applicalable codes.

Spiral Stair:


Spiral stair occupy a minimum amout of plan space and are often used in private residences. Most spiral sair are not acceptables as egress stair, except in residences and in spaces of five or fewer occupants in 250 sq. ft. (23 m2) or less.

Curved Stair:


Curved stairs follow the same layout principles of spiral stairs. Though with a sufficient open center diameter, the treads may be dimensioned to legal code standards for egress.