- 2079 Asoj · 7 marks
Stair terms (baluster, nosing, soffit) and types
Short answer
Baluster: vertical post supporting handrail. Nosing: rounded tread edge projecting 25 mm. Soffit: underside of flight. Pitch: angle of inclination (25-40 deg). Types: straight, quarter-turn, dog-legged, open-well, half-turn, three-quarter turn, bifurcated, geometrical, spiral. Dog-legged: two opposite flights with half-space landing, no well. Quarter-turn: 90 deg turn at landing.
Define the term baluster, nosing, soffit and pitch with sketch. What are the types of stair? Explain any two with sketch.
Terms
- Baluster: a vertical post (small column) that supports the handrail and fills the gap between the handrail and the steps.
- Nosing: the rounded edge of the tread that projects (about 25 mm) beyond the riser; it increases the foot space and gives a neat edge.
- Soffit: the underside (lower surface) of a flight or landing, usually plastered.
- Pitch: the angle of inclination of the stair, measured between the line joining the nosings (pitch line) and the horizontal; , usually 25-40 degrees.
handrail
| baluster
| |
| |__ nosing
___|__|
riser | tread
___ __|
pitch angle soffit below
Types of stair
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Straight (single flight) | One continuous flight between two floors, no turn |
| Quarter-turn | Direction changes by 90 degrees at a quarter-space landing |
| Dog-legged | Two flights in opposite directions with a half-space landing and no well between the flights |
| Open-newel / open-well | Two or more flights with a clear well between them |
| Half-turn (two-flight) | Turn of 180 degrees, either dog-legged or open-well |
| Three-quarter turn | Three flights turning through 270 degrees around a well |
| Bifurcated (branching) | One wide flight splits into two narrower flights at a landing |
| Geometrical | Curved (circular or elliptical) flights round an open well, without newel posts; continuous handrail |
| Spiral / circular (helical) | Winder steps radiating round a central post or on a circular plan; saves space |
Two types explained
1. Dog-legged stair: two straight flights run in opposite directions, connected by a half-space landing. There is no well between the flights, so in section they look like a dog's leg. It takes little floor area and is very common in houses and public buildings.
+----------+-------+
| <<< UP | |
+----------+ L |
| >>> UP | |
+----------+-------+
2. Quarter-turn stair: the direction of the stair changes by 90 degrees at a quarter-space (square) landing; it is used where the stair turns at a corner of a hall.
+-----+
| F2 |
| ^ |
+-----+------------+
| L | F1 <<<<< |
+-----+------------+
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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