Qurat-Ul-Ain Shamim

Assignment for 

6th

Semester 

Materials and Construction

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS FOR A STAIRCASE

  All risers should be maintained at the same height, staggering or varying heights cause

disorientation and tripping

  All treads should also be ensured to be of the same depth and of a non- slip surface.

  In case of wooden stairs, any loose paneling or nails sticking out should be immediately

repaired.

  In case of a carpeted stairway, the carpet should be firmly fixed and any loose or torn areas

should be repaired or replaced promptly.

  It should be made sure that stairways are well lit and there are light switches at both the top

and the bottom of the staircase.

  Landings should be provided at every sixth to eighth step – to avoid fatigue while climbing

the stairs, and to break a fall in case of a fall.

  The edge of each stair should be clearly defined.

  Stairways should be kept clear of all clutter, telephone wires and electric cords should be

kept out of the way

  Any broken balusters should be dismantled and replaced immediately.

  Balusters should not have a gap larger than 4 inches, to prevent babies and children passing

through

 

  Height of handrail should be based upon the height of the staircase, i.e. the higher the

staircase goes; the more cautiously the handrail should be heighted.

  In case of public buildings or any building inhabited by the elderly, handrails must

necessarily be provided along the wall of a stairway.

  If a staircase – mostly for public buildings – is 8 feet or above, a handrail should be provided

in the center.

  In public buildings, contrasting nosings should be provided in order to identify the edge of a

step.

  External fire escapes should be weather-proofed, i.e. should not be prone to rust, moss.

Algae, water, ice, frost etc. in order to minimize any slip risk.

  Spiral and helical stairs should be avoided, because of increased risk of slips and trips.

  Helical and spiral staircases should not be used for escape purposes, especially in buildings

where there are a high percentage of either children, or the elderly.

  In public use which are used also at night e.g. hotels, restaurants, auditoriums, the risers

should incorporate a light such that it highlights the treads clearly.

  In public use buildings, fire escape routes should be clearly distinguishable and should have a

fire rating of at least ten hours.

  Also, the fire escape route should be designed such that the basement is distinguishable from

ground floor. Egress is always provided on the ground floor.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1.  http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/health-and-safety/SG34_Part_B_Oct_08.pdf 

2.  http://www.at.ford.com/SiteCollectionImages/2011_U.S._Plant_Pages/Kansas%20City%20Asse

mbly/Safe%20Use%20on%20Steps%20and%20Stairways%20SPLV2%20(2).pdf 

3.  http://www.pwm.wfadv.com/files/11881/Home%20Safety%20Considerations%20for%20the%2

0Elderly.pdf