Staircases are an important building element used to safely facilitate movement between levels. Regulations specify requirements for staircase dimensions including tread and riser sizes, headroom, handrails, and barrier heights to prevent injuries. Staircase design also considers universal access with specifications like consistent tread sizes, non-slip surfaces, and tactile flooring to enable use by all people. Various styles of staircases have been used through history and across architectural movements to reflect the prevailing design philosophies of different time periods and cultures.

1. Building Planning for Staircases

2. Relativity, 1953, M.C. ESCHER

3. Evolution of Staircases Why do we need Staircase? Staircase Terminology Types of Staircases Building Codes on Staircase Universal Design of Staircase Staircase Unlimited Resources

5. “ Staircases are one of the oldest building elements in architectural histories…reflecting the prevailing philosophies and symbolic language…” - Staircases through history by Eva Jiricna

6. Angkor Wat Steps, Cambodia Symbolic Meaning of Staircase

7. Paris Opera House by Charles Garnier, Beaux Arts Architecture Movement Reflecting Architectural Movement

8. Glass Spiral Staircase at Apple Store , Boston Staircase as a Lifestyle

11. “… 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

13. handrails or guides to assist movement

14. landings to break a fall and provide a place for rest

15. sufficient headroom to avoid injury

16. barriers against falling from 1.0 m or more from an open side

18. Staircase Terminology Tread Riser Nosing

19. Staircase Terminology Pitch line Pitch Min Headroom Total rise Total going Landing Landing

20. Staircase Terminology Handrail Balustrade

22. Straight Flight Staircase

23. Straight two-flight stair with half-landing

24. Quarter-turn stair with landing

25. Dogleg stair with half-landing

26. Quarter-turn stair with winders

27. Spiral stair with central column

28. Circular stair with central well

30. No projection, other than handrails, is allowed in a staircase within a height of 2.0 m from the landing or pitch line. Projection 2.0 m headroom Pitch line Handrail Landing Landing

31. 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. Width of Staircase 900mm 900mm 900mm

32. 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. Risers & Treads Tread min 250mm Riser max 175mm

33. 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. The length of any intermediate landing, measured in the direction of travel, shall not be less than 900 mm. Landings of Staircase min 900mm min 900mm

34. The headroom of any staircase shall not be less than 2.0 m. Headroom 2.0 m headroom Pitch line Handrail Landing Landing

35. 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. A handrail need not be provided for a flight of not more than 5 steps. A handrail may terminate at the landing and the ends of the handrail should be properly formed or rounded off so that they do not pose a danger to the user. Handrail Handrail Pitch line Between 750mm – 900mm

36. Protection from falling Pitch line The height of a barrier shall not be less than 900mm The size of any opening or gap in a barrier shall not be large enough as to 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 edge of the barrier, the size of any opening or gap shall not be large enough as to permit the passage of a sphere of a diameter of 150 mm Barrier 1o0mm 150mm Min 900mm

38. “ design for all people”. Universal Design

39. 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. Treads & Risers

40. Width of Staircase & Landings 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. Width min 1200mm landing min 1200mm

41. Handrails should be provided on both sides of the stairs and continuous throughout the entire length. Handrail

42. 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 Handrail >300mm 800 - 900mm

43. 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.

45. Form Feature Staircase at Lobby, New Majestic Hotel, Singapore

46. Material Feature Staircase, Longchamp Retail Store in New York City

47. Detailing Hanging Staircase, Apple Store, Beijing

48. Lighting Staircase, Stadium Circle Line MRT Station