Stairs
Though sometimes constructed of brick, concrete or metal, stairs in the home are usually constructed
of wood. The
typical components of wood stairs are the stringer,
tread and riser. The stringer is the long,
diagonal supports that run the entire length of the stairs. The supports are
blocked, cut or
notched to accept the individual treads and risers. There are usually
two stringers, one on each side and occasionally a third in the middle.
The tread is the flat surface that is stepped
on; the width of the tread is equivalent to the run.
The riser is the vertical component; the height
of the riser is equivalent to the rise.
Stairs without risers are called "open" stairs.
For safety and accessibility reasons, stairs are required to be
constructed according the following general guidelines:
- The maximum height of the riser (or rise that a person needs to step
up to the next stair) is 8 to 8-1/4 inches.
- The riser's height should not vary more than 1/2 inch between the
shortest and tallest risers.
- The minimum width of the tread (or run) on which a person places their
foot is 8 1/4 to 9 inches.
- Tread should be level with a maximum deviation of a 2% slope.
- To ensure stability, the minimum width at any point of stringer should
be 3-1/2 inches.
- A vertical clearance of 6 feet 8 inches needs to be maintained between
the stair and ceiling at all points.
- The stairwell must be a minimum of 36 inches wide.
For information regarding other requirements with components associated with
stairs, click on the links below:
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