TECHNIQUES OF STAIRCASE CONSTRUCTION Technical and Design Instructions for Stairs Made of Wood, Steel, Concrete, and Natural Stone PDF

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TECHNIQUES OF STAIRCASE CONSTRUCTION Technical and Design Instructions for Stairs Made of Wood, Steel, Concrete, and Natural Stone Willibald Mannes ~ VAN NOSTRAND REINHOLD COMPANY ~ ________ New York English edition first published in 1986. Copyright © 1979 by Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt Softcover repr...

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TECHNIQUES OF STAIRCASE CONSTRUCTION Technical and Design Instructions for Stairs Made of Wood, Steel, Concrete, and Natural Stone

Willibald Mannes

~

VAN NOSTRAND REINHOLD COMPANY

~ ________

New York

English edition first published in 1986. Copyright © 1979 by Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 1979 GmbH, Stuttgart, under the title Technik des Treppenbaus. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 86-9252 ISBN-13: 978-1-4684-6637-9 DOl: 10.1007/978-1-4684-6635-5

e-ISBN-13: 978-1-4684-6635-5

All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means-graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systemswithout written permission of the publisher.

Van Nostrand Reinhold Company Inc. 115 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10003 Van Nostrand Reinhold Company Limited Molly Millars Lane Wokingham, Berkshire RG11 2PY, England Van Nostrand Reinhold 480 La Trobe Street Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia Macmillan of Canada Division of Canada Publishing Corporation 164 Commander Boulevard Agincourt, Ontario MIS 3C7, Canada 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Mannes, Willibald, 1925Techniques of staircase construction. Translation of: Technik des Treppenbaus. Bibliography: p. 1. Staircase building. 1. Title. TH5667.M3413 1986 694'.6 86-9252 ISBN-13: 978-1-4684-6637-9

Contents

Foreword

5

3.1.2.3.

Introduction

5

3.1.2.4.

1.

General theory of stair construction

6

1.1.

Concepts, terminology, and dimensions of stairs Plan shapes, including area and space requirements for stairs and staircases Dimensional terms relating to stairs

3.2. 3.2.1. 3.2.2.

1.1.1. 1.1.2. 1.2. 1.2.1. 1.2.2. 1.2.3.

Design types of stairs and stair railings Stairs made from wood Stairs made predominantly from steel Stairs made predominantly from stone and concrete

1.3. 1.3.1. 1.3.2.

Design types of stair railings Railings made from various materials Railings with load-bearing handrails (stairs with suspended treads) Handrail profiles Handrails made from wood Handrails made from steel, nonferrous metals, or plastic materials Grab rails

1.3.3. 1.3.3.1. 1.3.3.2. 1.3.3.3. 1.4. 1.4.1. 1.4.1.1. 1.4.1.2. 1.5. 1.5.1.

Description of stairs and terminology of stair parts in completed projects Space-saving stairs Space-saving straight stairs Space-saving spiral stairs

6

9 10 10

12 12 12 12 12

13 17 17 17 18

26 26

3.3.

Flight widths

28

3.4.

Headroom

28

3.5. 3.5.1.

Floor openings for staircases Determination of the amount of ceiling stagger

28 28

3.6. 3.6.1. 3.6.2. 3.6.2.1. 3.6.2.2. 3.6.2.3. 3.6.2.4. 3.6.2.5. 3.6.2.6. 3.6.3.

Plans and elevations of spiral staircases Stair plan Tapering of steps in circular staircases Tapering of steps by the circular arc method Tapering of steps by the flight-line method Tapering of steps by the angle method Tapering of steps by the trapeze method Tapering of steps by the mathematical method Tapering of steps by the freehand method Tapering of steps-effects on the stair railing

29 29 30 30 30 33 34 34 35 36

3.7. 3.7.1. 3.7.2. 3.7.3. 3.7.3.1. 3.7.4. 3.7.4.1. 3.7.4.2. 3.7.4.3.

String and handrail wreaths Types of wreaths Wreath designations Vertical wreaths Elevation of vertical wreaths Horizontal wreaths Design types Elevation of horizontal quarter-wreaths Elevation of half-wreaths

40 40 40 40 40 41 41 41 42

3.8.

Historic stairs-elevation, tapering of steps, wreaths

46

3.9. 3.9.1. 3.9.2.

Half-landings with stair railings above Landing types Dimensioning of the going of landings in the direction of the walking line Design of quarter-landings at different heights Design of quarter-landings with stair railings above and wreaths Quarter-landings of a string staircase with angular turn of the stair rail Quarter-landings on stairs without string and with angular turn of the stair rail Quarter-landings with handrail wreaths for stairs without strings Half-landings with stair railings above and wreaths Arrangement of steps-stair railings Turning points of angular railings-transition points

3.2.2.1.

1.5.2. 1.5.3. 1.5.4.

Types of steps Types of steps, defin~d by the cross section of the step Types of steps, by materials Surface finishes Edge finishes

18 19 19 19

2.

Regulations and recommendations

20

2.1. 2.1.1.

Statutory regulations Regulations on implementation

20 20

2.2.

DIN standards

20

2.3.

Important extracts from DIN regulations

20

3.

Calculation and design of elevations for stairs and stair parts

22

3.9.3.2.

3.1. 3.1.1. 3.1.2. 3.1.2.1.

Calculation of stairs Stair pitch Rise/run patio Design of rise/run dimensions on the basis of given floor heights and basic dimensions Calculation of the basic stair dimensions on the basis of the given floor height

22 22 22

3.9.3.3.

22

3.9.4.1. 3.9.4.2.

3.1.2.2.

23

23 24

Walking line Function of the walking line Two walking lines on stairs with two-way traffic Calculation of the rise/run ratio for spiral stairs with two-way traffic

6 7 8 8 9

Calculation of rise/run ratio with a stair pitch of less than 20° Rise/run tables

3.9.2.1. 3.9.3. 3.9.3.1.

3.9.4.

26 26

52 52 52 52 53 53 54

56 58 58 59

3.9.4.3. 3.9.4.3.l. 3.9.4.3.2. 3.9.4.4. 3.9.4.4.l. 3.9.4.4.2. 3.9.4.4.3. 3.10. 3.10.l. 3.10.2. 3.10.3. 3.10.4. 3.10.5. 3.10.5.l. 3.10.6. 3.11.

Turning points using railing wreaths in staircases without strings . Design of a half-wreath between flights of stairs with equal pitch Design of a half-wreath between flights of stairs with unequal pitch Turning points on string stairs with stair and railing wreath Design of a half-wreath between flights of . stairs with equal pitch Effects of the arrangement of steps on the view of the landing from below Grid pattern for the design of a half-landing wreath Newel staircases Determination of the plan on the basis of headroom Starting sections of spiral newel staircases Plan, on the basis of headroom and access area, of spiral staircases with a diameter of more than 1.50 m Spiral newel staircases-guide dimensionstypes Spiral newel staircases with unusual plans Spiral staircases with unusual starting and finishing arrangements Arrangement of starting and top landing sections of newel staircases Covering stairs with textile or PVC and with stair nosing

64 64 65 66 66 67 68 69 70 71

3.11.l.

Covering steps and strings with textile materials

81

3.12. 3.12.l. 3.12.2. 3.12.3.

Renovating old stairs Lining with wood Lining with textiles or PVC Creaking stairs-curing the creaking noise

82 82 83 83

3.13. 3.13.l. 3.13.2. 3.13.3. 3.13.3.l.

Stair railings Stair railings made from ornamental ironwork Steel stair railing on steel stairs Wooden stair railing Stair railing components

84 84

89 92 92

3.13.4.

Wooden stair railings with provision for flower boxes Handrails with glass panels Carvings on stairs

97 98 100

3.13.5. 3.13.6. 3.14. 3.14.l. 3.14.2.

Stairs in gardens and similar outdoor areas Elevation of outdoor stairs Technical hints on the construction of stairs in gardens and outdoor areas

104

Sources

107

75

DIN 4174 Floor heights and stair rises

108

76

DIN 18064 Stairs, terms

108

72

74 75

80

102 102

Foreword

Introduction

Staircases, which today are equally the responsibility of joiners and carpenters, have had a varied history over the last thirty years. Until 1945 nearly all staircases, even those in large residential blocks, were made of wood. Because of the amount of destruction that took place during the war, new building regulations frequently stipulated nonflammable materials for almost all stairs. This resulted in a decline in the quality of stair construction; what is more, fewer and fewer craftsmen were trained for this rewarding and varied branch of woodworking craftsmanship. This is a regrettable development, since good stair builders must combine the design capabilities and three-dimensional approach of the carpenter with the exact and neat craftsmanship of the joiner. Techniques of Staircase Construction therefore provides welcome guidelines and instructions to those concerned with practical bUilding throughout the construction sequence, from the measuring and the drawing of plans and elevations to the use of materials and the actual construction. Design engineers and architects will find this book equally useful, since stair construction now consists of two main areas: one comprises ready-made stairs and their varied possibilities, the other, stairs made by craftsmen in a variety of types and styles. In the hope that this second area, the craft-based group, will regain lost ground and that we can speak in the near future not only of a renaissance of wooden structures but also of stairs, I express my good wishes for a wide distribution of this excellent and instructive book.

The increasing demand for textbooks on the techniques of stair construction is due to two main factors: .

September 1979 Donat Muller Chairman of the Federation of German Joiners within the Central Association of the German Building Trade President of the Associations of Bavarian Joiners and Timber Construction Trades

1.

The relatively small dwellings that were built twenty to thirty years ago are no longer regarded as acceptable. New regulations concerning noise and heat insulation as well as government aid available to finance such projects have, in addition, stimulated the rebuilding and thus the design of more generously proportioned dwellings, including, of course, staircases.

2.

The style of living has changed. The time when sober interiors were the order of the day has gone. Excessive nostalgic reversal to previous styles has also passed.

Natural materials, profitably used by good craftsmen, have once again become fashionable. Turners, ropemakers, potters, and sculptors, whose crafts had become rare, are finding themselves once more in demand. Good craftsmanship is again appreciated and well paid. Many, and above all young, craftsmen have recognized this renaissance. They see a chance to sidestep the competition of mass-produced components by providing tailor-made pieces made to a high standard. Unfortunately, much craft knowledge has been lost. This applies in particular to stair construction, which requires a high degree of expert knowledge, manual dexterity, and design capability. All those who want to brush up their general knowledge of stair construction techniques or acquire new insights will benefit from this book. It provides basic knowledge for apprentices and students and technical assistance to the designer and producer of stairs. The first part deals with the general theory of stair construction. It discusses concepts and terminology, dimensions, calculations, and types of construction, all of which are illustrated by numerous drawings and pictures. The most important of the many statutory regulations and recommendations for stair construction are summarized in the second part of this book. The third part deals with the practical aspects of stairs, especially in domestic buildings. Stair elevations lead to questions of detail for which solutions are required. It is thus pOSSible to elucidate connections that result not only in good construction work but also in the exemplary design of stairs. If wood is given preference over other materials, this is because the qualities of this material have once again been recognized by domestic architects. Moreover, wooden stairs have major design advantages in reconstruction projects. The fourth and last part of this book gives a number of examples and design ideas.

5

1.

General Theory of Stair Construction

1.1. CONCEPTS, TERMINOLOGY, AND DIMENSIONS OF STAIRS 1.1.1. Plan shapes, including area and space requirements for stairs and staircases In order to arrive, with usual stair types, at comparable area requirements, the run and rise dimensions of all examples are the same:

The dimensions for area requirements of stairs (Tr) and staircases (Tr-R) are rounded-off guide dimensions. Depending on the direction in which the rising stairs turn, we refer to right staircases or left staircases. T

= landing depth, B = landing width

Floor height 270.00 = 15 x 18.00 rises (5) Basic dimension 385.00 = 14 x 27.5 runs (A)

(A)

Straight Stairs

t

585

(8)

(C) Stair flights ConSisting of Straight and Circular Components

Curved Stair Flights

-----+-

470

-----4~

/(///y////////////////////////~///

~Ij~IIJI,J,U8lj 1111~n; ~ IF

iJ

CD

~I

8N

o

III N

T

T'

3.50 sq/m 6.00 sq/m

T P)))J)))»>>JJJ?J7JJ7MJ:0 Single-flight straight stairs (Right staircase)

TR TR-R

~ ~

f5\ \::!J

3.85 sq/m 13.22 sq/m

®

Newel staircase with round well (Single-flight, left staircase)

I

t

285

t

~//////////////// / /

/

/

/

T

~-:

I ..

m(

®

T 100

~

.--: '///// '//

'// '/

Half-turn staircase with f3\ \:2) landing (Right staircase)

t

~ ~

3.50 sq/m

265

+ ..~./ 100

"

8.12 sq/m

t:ii=\\ Single-flight staircase with quarter turn ~ at the top section (Right staircase)

Single-flight, spiral staircase with round well (Right staircase)

-+-------- 400

~ tL

8

;,~

100 T

I"""

TR TR-R

~------350------~~

Iv. 125 T

175

~.

105

//77777777////7%

~--------400--------~-

~ -::

'-

y,

Dogleg staircase with half-landing (Right staircase)

'/ '/////. /J

~

/

/~; /

%/////.

:37~~~ 1IIIIIIi//~c;r_j

g 100-\11111

/ /

/

j

470

///.V~J//////////////////V//

/ / /

/ /

Single-flight staircase with quarter turn at the starting section (Right staircase)

III N N

~

.

I/,

TR ~ TR-R ~

6.00 sq/m 9.04 sq/m

® 11

!

450

~-------

375

Single-flight staircase with two quarter turns (Left staircase)

------~~

~A//////Y//////////////~~

m

o

"N

T

~JJJJJ-'t~~

..._/ /

.../

R

TR ~ 5.90 sq/m TR-R ~ 12.15 sq/m

'-

It)

N

III III N

250

Triple-flight staircase. two turns. with half-landings (Left staircase)

6

®

/

Single-flight, more centered staircase ~~-R ~ ~.~~ ~~;~ (Right staircase)

tf>\2 \!5'

Single-flight staircase with sem. icircular turn (Right staircase) TR ~ 460 sq/m TR-R ~

746 sq/m

1.1.2. Dimensional terms relating to stairs

Railing Parts Made from Wood

Designation of stair and railing parts

1. Bannister, middle section turned, square ends 2. Bannister, turned 3. Rectangular bannister 4. Flat bannister with shaped edges 5. Turned handrail standard 6. Rounded bannister 7. Rectangular handrail 8. Symmetrically shaped handrail 9. Overhanging handrail 10. Face string 11. Blind string 12. String wreath 13. Handrail 14. Handrail wreath 15. Handrail 16. Ornamental beading 17. Ornamental rosette

Dimensional Terms Relating to Stairs

Railing with Wooden Paneling 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12 13. 14. 15. 16. 17 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.

Stairwell, length Stairwell, width '5' Floor height Stairwell wall Landing Half-landing Landing width Landing depth First flight Top flight First step Top step Wall string Face string Stairwell Walking line Flight length (basic length) Flight width Landing (turning) post Stair pitch Stair depth Rise (S) Run (A) Flight length over pitch Headroom Differential staircase hei~

1J.

Wt A-A

m~_iII!:!~&)

~ ~ ® 6 'f1\ ~ ~ ~

9

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6 78.

Molded handrail Flute Molded beading Shaped panel Profiled paneling Chamfered beading Rounded beading Fluted beading 9.0volo 10. Cornice

Handrail Parts Made from Steel 1. First handrail standard (main standard), hand-forged 2. Bar, turned 3. Openwork twist 4. Base (cover) rosette 5. Forged handrail with curved end section 6. Lower chord 7. First standard (square standard) 8. Bar (flat steel) '. 9. Upper chord . 10. Lower chord 11 . PVC handrail

Designation of Stair Parts

Handrail with Glass Paneling

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Wall string Face string Section width of string Step (tread) Riser Undercut Height of rise (S) Width of tread (A) Basic dimension of staircase Floor height Solid rectangular step Stair bolt

13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21 . 22. 23.

Handrail standard, first step Handrail standard, top step Handrail Handrail standard (cylindrical) Handrail standard with rosette Blind string Balustrade handrail Ceiling height, un plastered Finished height, top Finished height. underside Overhang blind string

1. Glass (safety glass. acrylic glass. wire glass) 2. Edges ground (polished) 3. Fitted in groove 4. Clamped 5. Holding plates 6. Standard 7. Handrail

7

1.2. 1.2.1.

DESIGN TYPES OF STAIRS AND STAIR RAILINGS

Stairs made from wood

Saddle-type stairs with notched supporting strings. Saddle-type stairs without risers. The supporting beams are notched from the top, and only the lower unnotched section can be considered for static calculations. Care should be taken with long strings. Saddle-type stairs with risers. Overhang beyond the outer edge of the supporting strings. (a) Risers approximately 1-3 cm (b) Other steps approximately 4-...