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 Staircase
Universal Design of Staircase
Staircase Unlimited
Resources
Evolution of Staircases
“Staircases are one of the oldest
building elements in architectural
histories…reflecting the prevailing
philosophies and symbolic language…”
- Staircases through history by Eva Jiricna
Symbolic Meaning of Staircase

Angkor Wat Steps, Cambodia

Reflecting Architectural Movement

Paris Opera House by Charles Garnier, Beaux Arts Architecture Movement

Staircase as a Lifestyle

Glass Spiral Staircase at Apple Store , Boston

Why do we need Staircase?
“…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
A staircase shall have
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
Staircase Terminology
Staircase Terminology

Nosing

Riser

Tread
Staircase Terminology

Min Headroom Landing

Total rise
Landing Pitch line
Pitch

Total going
Staircase Terminology
Handrail

Balustrade
Types of Staircases
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
Building Code on Staircase
(Acceptable Solutions)
 Projection

2.0 m headroom

Landing

Handrail

Pitch line

Landing

No projection, other than handrails, is allowed in a staircase

within a height of 2.0 m from the landing or pitch line.
Width of Staircase

900mm

900mm

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

Riser
max 175mm

Tread
min 250mm

The height of a riser shall not be more than 175 mm.

The width of a tread shall not be less than 250 mm
The risers and treads within each flight of stairs shall
be of uniform height and size.
Landings of Staircase

min 900mm

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.

min 900mm The length of any intermediate

landing, measured in the direction
of travel, shall not be less than 900
mm.
Headroom

2.0 m headroom

Landing

Handrail

Pitch line

Landing

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

Handrail

A handrail shall be provided on at least

one side of the flight of
staircase.

The height of the handrail shall be

between 750 mm and 900 mm above
the pitch line.
Handrail
A handrail need not be provided for a
flight of not more than 5 steps.

A handrail may terminate at the

Between landing and the ends of the handrail
750mm – should be properly formed or rounded
900mm off so that they do not pose a danger to
Pitch line the user.
Protection from falling
The height of a barrier shall not be less
than 900mm

Barrier The size of any opening or gap in a

barrier shall not be large enough as to
1o0mm permit the passage of a sphere of a
diameter of 100 mm.

Any triangular opening or void formed

around a tread, riser and the bottom
150mm edge of the barrier, the size of any
Min
900mm opening or gap shall not be large
enough as to permit the passage of a
sphere of a diameter of 150 mm

Pitch line
Universal Design of
Staircases
Universal
Design

“design for all people”.

Treads & Risers 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.
Width of Staircase & Landings

Width min 1200mm

landing min 1200mm

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.
Handrail

Handrails should be provided on both sides of the stairs and continuous

throughout the entire length.
Handrail

800 - 900mm

>300mm

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

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.
Staircase Unlimited
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

Resources
Thank You!