Today, I uploaded a chapter in my book called Hints and Steps Toward Safe Staircases.
You will find it in the link below
Chapter Hints and Steps Toward Safe Staircases
As it seems from its address, it discusses the concept of designing safe staircases architecturally. I want to open a discussion on this essential topic. This chapter relied on the fact that there is an accident on the stairs approximately every 2.5 minutes in the UK. We can't prevent accidents, but we can reduce serious injuries as much as possible.
Rise up should be comfortable. 150 to 175 mm. Tread should be 275 mm at least. A proper hand rail, width if stair should be designed as per the project requirement.
You should visit the website of Dr. Jake Pauls http://www.bldguse.com/Stairways.html
and be in touch with him. He is the guru on this topic & always enthused about collaborating and sharing knowledge (email [email protected] ). He has videos on the site, stats, & a one-minute stairway inspection checklist http://www.bldguse.com/One-minute_Stairway_Flight_Inspection.html . Here is his most critical message.
While more investigation is required, it appears that a major reason for the recent “excess” injuries related to home stairs might be a systemic defect on many home stairways (as well as some in other settings) in the USA and Canada. This defect is a non-uniformity of the nosing projection at the top of stair flights; due to the omission of a $10 nosing piece, at the landing level, at the time of stairway construction. This makes the top tread below the landing effectively larger than all the steps below it.
This common defect greatly increases the risk of an “overstepping misstep” on the second or third step down the flight. Such missteps can lead to a very serious fall down the stair flight, with resulting injuries.
This is why we should now give our stairways “a second look.” Specifically we should perform the simple “crouch and sight” test. Do this from the landing above the stair flight you wish to check. Crouch down so you are able to see all the stair nosings (the leading edges) line up. If the top, landing nosing does not line up with all the other step nosings, your stair likely has the systemic defect. The photo above shows the view one has in performing a “crouch and sight test” which is the first component of the “one minute stairway flight inspection.”
Thank you so much for your useful contribution to the discussion @Neelam Agrawal
I am totally agree with your contributions, but unfortunately most designers nowadays design according to fixed codes or numbers neglecting what kind of occupants will use it. The design are the same for school students or for elderly. I will try to do more searches about (sick building syndrome ). I think it will be helpful for my research.
I am so thankful for the opportunity you gave me to share some of your time and contribute to this question prof. @Ted R Miller
I will check the link for Dr. Jake Pauls as I am trying to increase my knowledge in the field of stairways and evacuation that will help directly on my research. I think stairs is the most critical node in design as it could be deadly if the architect didn't care about occupants or users and their different capabilities. I will be in touch with Dr. Jake Thank you so much
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