Stairs

The Fire Fighter Stair Climb in Seattle is 1,311 steps.  As far as steps are concerned did you know ....

Stairs are a series of steps or flights of steps for passing from one level to another —often used in plural but singular or plural in construction

The step is composed of the tread and riser.

The 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 outer edge of the step to the vertical "riser" between steps. The "width" is measured from one side to the other.


The Riser is the vertical portion between each tread on the stair. This may be missing for an "open" stair effect. 

There are several other parts of a step/stair.....Nosing, Starting step or Bullnose, Stringer, Stringer board or sometimes just String,  and Winders.

The balustrade is the system of railings and balusters that prevents people from falling over the edge.

Terms you should understand about rail systems include; Bannister, Railing or Handrail, Volute, Turnout, Gooseneck, Rosette, Easings, Core rail, Baluster, Newel, Baserail or Shoerail, 

Other part of the stair system include:  Balcony, Fillet Flight Landing or Platform Runner, Staircase, Stairway, and Stairwell.

The measurements of a stair, in particular the rise height and going of the steps, should remain the same along the stairs. 

When designing or building a stair,  plan and consider the following: rise height or rise, tread depth, and going of a step

The number of steps in a set of stairs is always the number of risers, not the number of treads.  Plan and calculate the total run or total going total rise, the slope or pitch, rake of the stairs, the pitch line and the headroom and walkline.

So now I know way too much about stairs.  I had no idea that so much went into a step.  Funny thing is most people hate steps.  They take the elevator and skip the steps.  It is also funny how we walk right over or by things everyday and fail to recognize just what we are missing.

Before I started this training I hated steps.  I was often a bit winded after just one or two flights.  Now, as the training goes on I see them as a true challenge.   And it takes 69 Flights to get me winded.  Nice.

See you at the Top!

John 

(Wiki was used as a reference for this blog)