Basic Civil Engineering

Chapter 20

Stairs

A few technical terms generally used for the design of stairs are defined below:

1. Baluster: It is a vertical member supporting the handrail. The combined framework of handrail and baluster is known as balustrade.
2. Flight: It is a series of steps without any platform or landing or break in their direction.
3. Tread: It is an upper horizontal part of a step on which the foot is placed while ascending or descending a stairway.
4. Step: This is a portion of a stair which comprises the tread and riser. This permits ascending or descending from one floor to another.
5. Riser: This is a vertical member between two treads. This provides support to the tread.
6. Rise: This is the vertical distance between the upper faces of any two consecutive ...