H-5

Question 1

Describe Total Rise

Answer 1

the vertical distance from finish floor to finish floor

Question 2

Describe Total Run

Answer 2

the horizontal distance from the face of the bottom riser to the face of the top riser

Question 3

Describe Rise

Answer 3

The vertical distance from one step to the next

Question 4

Describe Run

Answer 4

The horizontal distance from one step to the next

Question 5

Describe nosing line

Answer 5

an imaginary line drawn along the top of the edge of the nosings

Question 6

Describe finished opening

Answer 6

the horizontal distance from the edge of the nosing at the upper landing to the opening edge of the finish at the other end of the stairwell opening

Question 7

What is the difference between a long “L” stair and a wide “L” stair?

Answer 7

A long “L” has a long flight and short a short flight connected by a landing or winders. A wide “L” has two similar length flights at right angles to each other.

Question 8

When is a landing required in a stairway?

Answer 8

A landing is required when the total rise for the stairway is greater than 3.7m

Question 9

What is the difference between an “open stairwell” and a “closed stairwell?”

Answer 9

Open stairwells have one or both sides open to a room or hallway. Closed stairwells are enclosed on both sides.

Question 10

What are the main parts of a balustrade?

Answer 10

newel posts, handrail, balusters

Question 11

What is a semi-housed stringer?

Answer 11

a plain stringer laminated with a cut-out stringer

Question 12

What takes precedence over proportioning formulas

Answer 12

BC Building Code minmum 255mm

Question 13

What is the preferred angle of a stair?

Answer 13

30 and 35 degrees

Question 14

Where are “service stairs” used?

Answer 14

Utility rooms or rooms used by service workers familiar with the stairs

Question 15

What are the most comfortable units of rise and run?

Answer 15

7” and 10” (180 mm and 250 mm)

Question 16

Calculate the rise if the total rise 3150 mm and the desired rise is 178

Answer 16

3150 mm (total rise) divided by 178 (desired rise) = 17.69 rises (round up to 18)
3150 mm (total rise) divided by 18 (# of rises) = 175 (rise)

Question 17

Calculate the run if the rise is 183mm. Use the stair proportioning formula “rise plus run = 450mm”

Answer 17

450mm - 183 = 267 mm

Question 18

Calculate the unit of bridge for a stair with a rise of 178mm and a run of 255mm

Answer 18

square root 178(square) + 255(square) = 310.981

Question 19

Calculate the run if total rise is 10’4. Use a desired rise of 7” and the stair proportioning formula” twice the rise plus run = 24”

Answer 19

FSO/2245 = 255/175

Finished stairwell opening = 3271
Rough stairwell opening = 3346

Question 20

Calculate the rough stairwell opening if the rise is 175mm and the run is 255mm. use the minimum headroom requirement for residential stairs and a floor thickness of 295mm

Answer 20

FSO = 245
1950+295 175

Finished stairwell opening = 3143
rough stairwell opening = 3143mm + 75mm = 3218

Question 21

Calculate the rough stairwell opening if the rise is 7 1/4” and the run is 10”. use the minimum headroom requirement for residential stairs and a floor thickness of 12 1/8”

Answer 21

Headroom: 1950mm/25.4 = 76.772”

Finished stairwell opening = 119.858”
rough stairwell opening = 119.858” + 3” = 122 7/8”

Question 22

How is total rise measured?

Answer 22

From the finished floor level at the bottom of the stairs to the finished floor level at the top of the stairs

Question 23

How is the floor thickness caluclated?

Answer 23

The sum of the ceiling finish, the joist depth, the subfloor thickness, and the finished floor thickness.

Question 24

Describe the term “graspable”

Answer 24

Able to grip without having to stretch their hand

Question 25

What two parts make up a semi-housed stringer

Answer 25

a plain stringer and a cut-out stringer

Question 26

How deep are the gains on a housed stringer?

Answer 26

about 1/2”