---
title: "Requirements of a good staircase"
subject: "Building Technology"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_6/building_technology:stair-requirements"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/stair-requirements
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Requirements of a good staircase

Building Technology · Chapter 5: Stair, lifts and escalators

- Asked in: 2072 Asoj, 4 marks
- Video: [Standard size of stairs steps || stair design || stair case ||ms construction](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auinX3qAr8Y) — MS Construction
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/stair-requirements
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/building_technology/chapter-5

## Question

What are the requirements of a good staircase? Explain in brief.

## Short answer

Requirements: accessible location, width 0.9 m+ residential 1.5 m+ public, riser 150-175 mm tread 250-300 mm with 2R+T 580-600 mm, pitch 25-40 deg, 3-12 steps per flight, landings, headroom 2.0-2.2 m, strength/fire resistance, handrails 0.9 m, non-slip surface.

## Answer

1. **Location:** easily accessible, centrally placed, well lit and ventilated, and near the main entrance; not through rooms.
2. **Width:** residential at least 0.9-1.0 m, public buildings 1.5 m or more (as per NBC and local building bye-laws), so that two persons can pass.
3. **Easy and safe ascent:** riser 150-175 mm (public buildings not more than 150 mm), tread 250-300 mm; $2R + T$ about 580-600 mm; all steps in one flight equal.
4. **Pitch:** between 25 and 40 degrees.
5. **Number of steps per flight:** not more than 12 and not less than 3 steps.
6. **Landings:** provided at turns and between flights, width not less than the stair width.
7. **Headroom:** at least 2.0-2.2 m clear above every step.
8. **Strength and fire resistance:** strong enough for live load; material fire resistant, with a separate fire-escape stair in tall buildings.
9. **Handrails and balustrades:** about 0.9 m high, strong and safe for children.
10. **Surface:** non-slip treads, good lighting and ventilation, durable and pleasing in appearance.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. How many steps per flight are recommended?
   A. Not more than 12 and not less than 3
   B. Exactly 20
   C. 1 or 2
   D. Over 30
   Answer: A. This ensures safe, comfortable ascent. (Key point: Steps per flight)

2. What is the recommended pitch of a good stair?
   A. 5 to 10 degrees
   B. 25 to 40 degrees
   C. 50 to 70 degrees
   D. 80 to 90 degrees
   Answer: B. Steeper is a ladder; flatter wastes space. (Key point: Pitch)

3. What is the minimum headroom above every step?
   A. 1.0 m
   B. 1.5 m
   C. About 2.0-2.2 m
   D. 3.5 m
   Answer: C. Headroom must be clear above every step. (Key point: Headroom)

4. Where should a good stair be located?
   A. Hidden at the far corner
   B. Inside a bedroom
   C. In a dark enclosed corner
   D. Easily accessible, well lit and ventilated, not through rooms
   Answer: D. Placing near the entrance, central and lit is advised. (Key point: Location)

## Related in Building Technology

- [Requirements of good roof; pitched roof types](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aroof-requirements-pitch-066j) — Building Technology, chapter 4
- [Open-well staircase (6.0 m × 3.5 m hall)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Astair-064j) — Building Technology, chapter 5
- [Requirements and types of partitions](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Apartition-requirements) — Building Technology, chapter 9, asked 2×
- [Essential requirements and types of stair by shape](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Astair-requirements-shape-types) — Building Technology, chapter 5
- [Dog-legged stair, 5.0 m by 4.0 m](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Adog-legged-stair-public-5m) — Building Technology, chapter 5
- [Open-well stair, 5.5 m by 3.5 m](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aopen-well-stair-public-5p5m) — Building Technology, chapter 5

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