CHAPTER 39

Stair Construction
and Layout

I N T R O D U C T I O N
More than a means of traveling from floor to floor, stairs can
provide an elegant focal point, as seen in Figure 39-1. Stairs
were introduced with floor plans in Section 4. Minimal informa-
tion was provided in that sectiononly enough so that you
could draw stairs on floor plans. This chapter will show you how
to draw stairs in section. Step-by-step instructions will be given
for drawing straight run, open, and U-shaped stair layouts.

STAIR TERMINOLOGY
There are several basic terms you will need to be famil-
iar with when working with stairs. Each can be seen in
Figure 39-2: FIGURE 391 In addition to providing access from one level to
another, stairs can be used to add elegance to a home. Courtesy
Run: Horizontal distance of the stairs from end to end. BOWA Builders, photograph by Bob Narod.
Rise: Vertical distance from top to bottom of the stairs.

VERTICAL RAILS
(4" CLEAR MAX.)
LINE OF GUARDRAIL
IN BACKGROUND
RAIL HEIGHT
(36" MIN.)

SOLID BLOCKING
( FINISH FLOOR TO FINISH FLOOR )

HANDRAIL
INDIVIDUAL 34" MINIMUM
RUN 38" MAXIMUM
ABOVE NOSING
TOTAL RISE

6'-8" MINIMUM
INDIVIDUAL

FIRE RETARDANT
GYPSUM BOARD
(TYPE 'X') @ ALL
RISE

USABLE SPACE
UNDER STAIR STRINGERS

TREAD
RISER

KICKBLOCK

TOTAL RUN

FIGURE 392 Common stair terms.

901
902 Architectural Drafting and Design

Stair Type IRC

Straight stair

Max. rise 7 3/4 (195 mm)

Min. run 10 (250 mm)

Min. headroom 68 (2000 mm)

Min. tread width 30 (900 mm)

Handrail height 34 (850 mm) min.

38 (950 mm) max.

Guardrail height 36 (900 mm) min.

Winders
Min. tread depth 6 (150 mm) min.
FIGURE 393 Stairs with stringers in place, ready for the treads
and risers. 10 (250 mm) @ 12 (300 mm)

Spiral
Tread: Horizontal step of the stairs. It is usually made Min. width 26 (650 mm)
from 1" (25 mm) material on enclosed stairs and Min. tread depth 7 1/2 (190 mm) @
2" (50 mm) material on open stairs. Tread width is
12 (300 mm)
the measurement from the face of the riser to the
Max. rise 9 1/2 (240 mm)
nosing. The nosing is the portion of the tread that
extends past the riser. Min. headroom 66 (1950 mm)

Riser: Vertical backing between the treads. It is usu- TABLE 391 Basic Stair Dimensions According to the IRC
ally made from 1" (25 mm) material for enclosed
stairs and is not used on open stairs. covering. The total rise can then be divided by the maxi-
Stringer or stair jack: Support for the treads. A 2 mum allowable rise to determine the number of steps
12 (50 300) notched stringer is typically used for required, as shown in Table 39-2.
enclosed stairs. For an open stair a 4 14 (100 350) Once the required rise is determined, this informa-
is common, but sizes vary greatly. Figure 39-3 shows tion should be stored in your memory for future refer-
the stringers in place with temporary treads provided ence. Of the residential stairs you will lay out in your
for the construction crew. career as a drafter, probably 99% will have the same rise.
Kickblock or kicker: Used to keep the bottom of the So with a standard 8'0" (2400 mm) ceiling, you will
stringer from sliding on the floor when downward always need 14 risers.
pressure is applied to the stringer.
Headroom: Vertical distance measured from the tread Step 1. Determine the total rise in inches.
nosing to a wall or floor above the stairs. Building
3/4 19 plywood
codes will specify a minimum size. 9 1/4 235 floor joist
Handrail: Railing that you slide your hand along as 3 76 top plates
you walk down the stairs. 92 5/8 2353 studs
1 1/2 38 bottom plate
Guardrail: Railing placed around an opening for the 107.125 2721 mm total rise
stairs. Step 2. Find the number of risers required. Divide the total
Gypsum (GYP.) board 1/2" (13 mm) thick is required rise of 107.125 (2721 mm) by the maximum individual
riser height of 7 3/4 (197 mm).
by the IRC for enclosing all usable storage space under
the stairs. Table 39-1 shows common stair dimensions 13.8 13.8
7 3/4 )107.125 197 )2721
based on the IRC that relate to each of these terms.
Because you cannot have .8 risers, the number will be
rounded up to 14 risers.
DETERMINING RISE AND RUN
Step 3. Find the number of treads required.
Building codes dictate the maximum rise of the stairs. Number of treads equal Rise
run.
14
1  13 treads required.
To determine the actual rise, the total height from floor
to floor must be known. Review Chapter 37. Total rise Step 4. Multiply the run of each tread by the number of
treads to find the total run.
can be found by adding the floor-to-ceiling height,
the depth of the floor joist, and the depth of the floor TABLE 392 Determining the Rise and Run for a Flight of Stairs
Chapter 39: Stair Construction and Layout 903

Once the rise is known, the required number of
treads can be found easily, because there will always
be one fewer tread than the number of risers. Thus, a
typical stair for a house with 8'0" (2400 mm) ceilings
will have 14 risers and 13 treads. If each tread is 10 1/2"
(265 mm) wide, the total run can be found by multiply-
ing 10 1/2" (265 mm) (the width) by 13 (the number
of treads required). With this basic information, you are
now ready to lay out the stairs. The layout for a straight
stairway will be described first.
STRAIGHT STAIR LAYOUT
The straight-run stair is a common type of stair that
will need to be drawn. It is a stair that goes from one
floor to another in one straight run. An example of a
straight-run stair for the residence shown in Chapter 18
can be seen in Figure 39-4. Figure 39-5 shows the stair
section for the same house with the basement option.
See Figure 39-6 for Step 1 through Step 4. If youre
completing the stair section manually, use construction

34" HIGH HANDRAIL

DN. 14 R
4

34" HIGH HANDRAIL

36" HIGH GUARDRAIL

UPPER FLOOR PLAN

34" HIGH HANDRAIL

UP 14 R
4

34" HIGH HANDRAIL

1/2" GYP BD.

AT ALL USABLE STORAGE

LOWER FLOOR PLAN

MSTR. BATH BED #1

SOLID BLOCK
2-2 X 10 W/
6'-8" MIN.

U210 HGR.
38" MAX.
34" MIN.

IL 2 x 10 F. J. @ 16" O.C.
RA
2-2 x 6 RIP A ND
AS REQD. H
10 1/2"
TYP. 2-2 x 4 TOP PLATES
2- 2 X 6 TOP
PLATES LAP 4 x 6 HDR.
48" MIN.
2 x 4 NAILER

1/2" GYP. BD.

LINE OF WALL SOLID BLOCK
3- 2 x 12 STRINGERS
BEYOND FAMILY
8'- 1 1/8"
MAX.
7 3/4"

3/4" RISERS

1" TREAD MAT'L

2 X 4 PLATE
2 x 6 DFPT
W. 3 RAMSET 2 x 4 STUDS @ 16" O.C.
FASTENERS
2 x 4 DFPT SILL

11'-4 1/2"

STAIR SECTION
3/8" 1'-0"

FIGURE 394 Straight-run enclosed stairs.

 904
MSTR. BATH BED #1
SOLID BLOCK

2-2 X 10 W/
U210 HGR.

6'-8" MIN.

38" MAX.
IL

34" MIN.
RA
ND
HA 2 x 10 F. J. @ 16" O.C.
2-2 X 6 RIP
AS REQD.
10 1/2"
TYP. 2-2 X 4 TOP PLATES
2- 2 X 6 TOP
PLATES LAP 4 X 6 HDR.
48" MIN. 2 X 4 NAILER

LINE OF WALL SOLID BLOCK

7 3/4" MAX.
BEYOND
FAMILY

8'- 1 1/8"
3/4" RISERS

1" TREAD MAT'L

2 X 6 KICKER
SOLID BLOCK
3- 2 X 12 STRINGERS
2 2 X 10 W/
U210 HGR.

38" MAX.
34" MIN.
L
AI
NDR 2 X 10 F. J. @ 16" O.C.
HA
6'-8" MIN.

10 1/2"
TYP. 2-2 X 4 TOP PLATES

SOLID BLOCK
2 X 4 NAILER
3/4" RISERS
1/2" GYP. BD.
@ ALL USABLE STORAGE
1" TREAD MAT'L
7 3/4" MAX.

STORAGE

8'- 0"
2 X 6 DFPT 11'-5" TOTAL RUN
W. 3 RAMSET
2 X 4 STUDS @ 16" O.C.

Architectural Drafting and Design

FASTENERS
2 X 4 DFPT SILL
3- 2 X 12 STRINGERS

STAIR SECTION
3/8" 1'-0"

FIGURE 395 Straight-run stairs for a multilevel home.

Chapter 39: Stair Construction and Layout 905

STEP 1 STEP 2

STEP 4

STEP 2 STEP 7

STEP 1
STEP 3

FIGURE 398 Outline the treads, stringer, and risers.

FIGURE 396 Lay out the walls, floor, and each end of the stairs.

lines. If youre completing the drawing using AutoCAD, STEP 10

complete the steps by placing the following items on the
OUTL layer:
STEP 1 Lay out walls that may be near the stairs.
STEP 2 Lay out each floor level. STEP 8
STEP 3 Lay out one end of the stairs. If no dimensions
are available on the floor plans, scale your drawing.
STEP 9
STEP 4 Figure and lay out the total run of the stairs.
STEP 5 Lay out the required risers (see Figure 39-7).
STEP 6 Lay out the required treads (see Figure 39-7).
STEP 7 Lay out the stringer, and outline the treads and FIGURE 399 Finished-quality lines for treads, risers, and the
risers, as shown in Figure 39-8. stringer.

Drawing the Stairs with Finished-

Quality Lines (material beyond cutting plane) or DETL MCUT (mate-
rial cut by cutting plane).
Use a thin line to draw the stairs unless otherwise noted.
See Figure 39-9 for Step 8 through Step 11. If youre STEP 8 Draw the treads and risers.
using AutoCAD, use the PROPERTIES command to STEP 9 Draw the bottom side of the stringer.
place the material on a layer such as DETL MBND
STEP 10Draw the upper stringer support or support wall
where the stringer intersects the floor.
STEP 11 Draw metal hangers if there is no support wall.
14
13
12 See Figure 39-10 for Step 12 through Step 17.
11
10
9 STEP 5 13 STEP 12 Draw the kickblock with bold lines.
8 12
11
7 10 STEP 13 Draw any intermediate support walls.
6 9
8
5 7
4
4
5
6
STEP 14 Draw solid blocking with bold lines.
3 3
2 2 STEP 6
1 0
1 STEP 15 Draw the gypsum board in all usable storage
0 below the stairs.
STEP 16 Draw any floors or walls that are over the stairs.
FIGURE 397 Layout of the risers and treads. STEP 17 Draw the handrail.
906 Architectural Drafting and Design

AutoCAD. Use thin lines similar to those intro-

duced in Chapter 17. Place the required leader
and dimension lines to locate the following needed
dimensions:

STEP 18 Total rise.

STEP 16 STEP 19 Total run.
STEP 17
STEP 20 Rise.
STEP 15
STEP 21 Run.
STEP 14 STEP 22 Headroom.
STEP 13 STEP 23 Handrail.

See Figure 39-12 for typical notes that are placed

STEP 12
on stair sections. Have your instructor specify local
variations.
FIGURE 3910 Finishing materials include the kickblock, support
walls, blocking, fire-rated gypsum board, and handrails.

OPEN STAIRWAY LAYOUT

Dimensions and Notes
See Figure 39-11 for Step 18 through Step 23. Use
the DIM command to place the following dimen-
sions if youre completing your drawing with
An open stairway is similar to a straight enclosed
stairway. It goes from one level to the next, usually in
a straight run. As seen in Figure 39-13, the major dif-
ference is that with the open stair, there are no risers
between the treads. This allows for viewing from

STEP 21
STEP 23
6'-8" MIN.

38" MAX.
34" MIN.

STEP 22 10 1/2"
TYP.
7 3/4" MAX.

8'- 1 1/8"

STEP 20
STEP 18

11'-4 1/2"

STEP 19

FIGURE 3911 Stair dimensions are required to show the individual and total rise and run, the location of the handrail, and the
height between floors.
Chapter 39: Stair Construction and Layout 907

MSTR. BATH BED #1

SOLID BLOCK
2-2 X 10 W/

6'-8" MIN.
U210 HGR.

38" MAX.
34" MIN.
IL
RA
ND
HA 2 X 10 F. J. @ 16" O.C.
2-2 X 6 RIP
AS REQD.
10 1/2"
TYP. 2-2 X 4 TOP PLATES
2- 2 X 6 TOP
PLATES LAP
48" MIN. 4 X 6 HDR.
2 X 4 NAILER

1/2" GYP. BD.

LINE OF WALL SOLID BLOCK
3- 2 X 12 STRINGERS
FAMILY

7 3/4" MAX.
BEYOND

8'- 1 1/8"
3/4" RISERS

1" TREAD MAT'L

2 X 4 PLATE
2 X 4 DFPT
W. 3 RAMSET 2 X 4 STUDS @ 16" O.C.
FASTENERS
2 X 4 DFPT SILL

11'-4 1/2"

STAIR SECTION
3/8" 1'-0"

FIGURE 3912 The stair drawing is completed by adding notes to describe all materials.

one floor to the next, creating an open feeling. See

Figure 39-14 for an open stairway. See Figure 39-15
for Step 1 through Step 3.

STEP 1 Lay out the stairs following Step 1 through Step 4

of the layout for the enclosed stair.
STEP 2 Lay out the 3 12 (75 300) treads.
STEP 3 Lay out the 14" (350 mm) deep stringer centered
on the treads.

Finished-Quality Lines
Use thin lines for each step unless otherwise noted. See
Figure 39-16 for Step 4 through Step 9.

STEP 4 Draw the treads with a bold line.

STEP 5 Draw the stringer.
STEP 6 Draw the upper stringer supports with bold lines.
STEP 7 Draw the metal hangers for the floor and stringer.
STEP 8 Draw any floors or walls that are near the stairs.
STEP 9 Draw the handrail.
FIGURE 3913 An open stair is usually made of 3 (75) or
thicker tread material with no risers. The treads of this stair are STEP 10 Place the required leader and dimension lines to
made from laminated material. Courtesy Lee Gleason. provide the needed dimensions. See Step 18 through
908 Architectural Drafting and Design

34" HIGH HANDRAIL

DN. 14 R
4

34" HIGH HANDRAIL

36" HIGH GUARDRAIL

UPPER FLOOR PLAN

34" HIGH HANDRAIL

UPPER FLOOR

UP 14 R
LINE OF

34" HIGH HANDRAIL

LOWER FLOOR PLAN

MSTR. BATH BED #1

SOLID BLOCK
2-2 X 10 W/
6'-8" MIN.

U210 HGR.
38" MAX.
34" MIN.

L
AI
NDR
HA 2 X 10 F. J. @ 16" O.C.
2-2 X 6 RIP
AS REQD. 10 1/2"
2- 2 X 6 TOP TYP.
PLATES LAP LINE OF WALL
48" MIN. BEYOND

LINE OF WALL
7 3/4" MAX.

4 X 14 OAK STRINGER
BEYOND FAMILY
8'- 1 1/8"

3 X 12 OAK TREADS WRAPPED W/

CARPET W/ 4" EXPOSURE EACH END

2" X 3" X 3/16" METAL

EA. TREAD TO STRINGER

3" X 3" X 3/16" METAL

TURNED UNDER STRINGER

11'-4 1/2"

STAIR SECTION
3/8" 1'-0"

FIGURE 3914 Open stairway layout.

Chapter 39: Stair Construction and Layout 909

STEP 9

STEP 1 STEP 8
STEP 7
STEP 6
STEP 5 STEP 8

STEP 2 STEP 4

STEP 3
STEP 7

FIGURE 3915 Lay out the open-tread stairs. FIGURE 3916 Finished-quality lines for structural material on
open stairs.

Step 24 of the enclosed stair layout for a guide to the

needed dimensions (see Figure 39-17). landing is usually located at the midpoint of the run,
STEP 11 Place the required notes on the section. Use but it can be offset, depending on the amount of room
Figure 39-17 as a guide. Have your instructor specify allowed for stairs on the floor plan. Figure 39-18 shows
local variations. what a U-shaped stair looks like on the floor plan and
in section.
The stairs may be either open or enclosed, depend-
U-SHAPED STAIRS
ing on the location. The layout is similar to the layout
The U-shaped stair is often used in residential design. of the straight-run stair but requires a little more
Rather than going up a whole flight of steps in a planning in the layout stage because of the landing.
straight run, this stair layout introduces a landing. The Lay out the distance from the start of the stairs to the

MSTR. BATH SOLID BLOCK

2-2 X 10 W/
6'-8" MIN.

U210 HGR.
38" MAX.
34" MIN.

IL
RA
ND
HA
2-2 X 6 RIP
AS REQD. 10 1/2"
TYP. 2 X 10 F. J.
2- 2 X 6 TOP @ 16" O.C.
PLATES LAP
48" MIN.

LINE OF WALL
BEYOND
LINE OF WALL
7 3/4" MAX.

BEYOND 4 X 14 OAK STRINGER

8'- 1 1/8"

3 X 12 OAK TREADS WRAPPED W/

CARPET W/ 4" EXPOSURE EACH END

2" X 3" X 3/16" METAL

EA. TREAD TO STRINGER

3" X 3" X 3/16" METAL

TURNED UNDER STRINGER

11'-4 1/2"

STAIR SECTION
3/8" 1'-0"

FIGURE 3917 Completed open stair with dimensions and notes added.
910 Architectural Drafting and Design

34" HIGH HANDRAIL

DN. 14 R

14
13
12
34" HIGH HANDRAIL

11
5 6

10
3 4
1 2

9
0

8
34" HIGH HANDRAIL

7
36" HIGH GUARDRAIL

6
5
UPPER FLOOR PLAN

4
3
1/2" GYP BD.
AT ALL USABLE STORAGE

2
1
34" HIGH HANDRAIL
UP 14 R

0
FIGURE 3919 Layout of U-shaped stair runs.

34" HIGH HANDRAIL

LOWER FLOOR PLAN 2 X 6 SMOOTH

drawing is similar to a U-shaped stair in that a land-
OAK RAIL
ing must be shown. An L-shaped stair has two major
2 X 2 OAK VERT. @
4" CLEAR MAX. differences from the U-shaped stair. With an L-shaped
36" MIN.

2 X 10 F. J. @
16" O.C. stair, the landing can be placed at any point of the
38" MAX.

stair run. The second major difference is that a por-

34" MIN.

tion of the L-shaped stair will be shown in elevation,

2 X 10 W/ U210
LIN
MTL. HGR. and a portion will be shown in section. The place-
2 X 6 F. J. @ E LINE OF STAIRS
16" O.C. @
LANDING
OF
HA IN BACKGROUND ment of the cutting plane will determine the result-
ND
RA
ing views, requiring some material to be labeled as
8'- 1 1/8"

10 1/2" IL
2 X 6 LEDGER
7 3/4"
MAX.

W/ U26 HGR.
2- 2 X 4 1" TREAD MAT'L
MATERIAL IN BACKGROUND or MATERIAL IN
TOP PL.
2 X 8 LEDGER
3- 2 X 12 STRINGERS FOREGROUND. Figure 39-20 shows an example of
W/ U210 HGR. 3/4" RISERS
2 X 4 STUDS
@ 16" O.C.
an L-shaped stair section.

1/2" GYP. BD. @ 2 X 4 DFPT SILL 2 X 6 DFPT SILL W/

ALL USABLE STORAGE 3 RAMSET FASTENERS
EXTERIOR STAIRS
STAIR SECTION
3/8" 1'-0"
It is quite common to need to draw sections of exterior
stairs on multilevel homes. Figure 39-21 shows two
FIGURE 3918 U-shaped stair. different methods for construction of exterior stairs
concrete stairs and wood stairs. Although there are
many variations, these two options are common. Both
can be laid out by following the procedure for straight-
landing, based on the floor plan measurements. Then
run stairs.
proceed using a method similar to that used to draw the
When the concrete exterior stairs and wood exte-
straight-run stair. See Figure 39-19 for help in laying
rior stairs are compared, the finishing materials have
out the section.
major differences. Notice that there is no riser on the
wood stairs, and the tread is thicker than the tread
of an interior step. Usually the same material that is
L-SHAPED STAIRS
used on the deck is used for treads. In many parts of
The layout of an L-shaped stair has similarities to the the country, a nonskid material should also be called
layout of a straight-run and a U-shaped stair. The for to cover the treads.
layout of treads and risers is similar to the meth- The concrete stair can also be laid out by follow-
ods used in Figure 39-7 for a straight-run stair. The ing the procedure for straight-run stairs. Once the
Chapter 39: Stair Construction and Layout 911

36" HIGH GUARDRAIL

DISPLAY AREA
L 4" CONC. FLATWORK
ABOVE CLOSET
AI
BELOW
NDR W/ EXP. AGG. FINISH
HA OVER 4" GRAVEL FILL
OPEN OF
E
LIN
12"
DN. 14 R

7 1/2"
THICKEN SLAB

38" MAX.
TO 8" AT EDGE

34" MIN.
& PROVIDE # 4
34" HIGH HANDRAIL TOP & BTM. OF
4" MIN. STAIR RUN
UPPER FLOOR PLAN
# 4 @ EA. TREAD
5/8" TYPE 'X' GYP BD.
AT ALL USABLE STORAGE

7'-0" TOTAL RUN

LINE OF

STAIR SECTION
FLOOR
ABOVE

3/8" 1'-0"

2 X 4 REDWOOD DECKING
UP 14 R 2 X 8 W/ U26 LAID FLAT W/ 1/4" GAP
MTL. HGR.
6'-1 1/2" TOTAL RUN

LIN

38" MAX.
2 X 8 F.J. @

34" MIN.
E
34" HIGH HANDRAIL
16" O.C. OF
HA
ND
RA
LOWER FLOOR PLAN 10 1/2"
IL

7 3/4"
MAX.
2 X 6 SMOOTH
OAK RAIL

LINE OF STAIRS 2 X 2 OAK VERT. @ 3 - 2 X 4 TREADS LAID

IN BACK GROUND 4" CLEAR MAX. FLAT W/ 1/4" GAP
36" MIN.

2 X 10 F. J. @
16" O.C. 2 X 12 STRINGERS @16" O.C.

2 X 6 DFPT SILL W/
3 RAMSET FASTENERS
6'-8" MIN.

2 X 10 W/ U210
2 X 6 F. J. @ MTL. HGR.
38" MAX.

16" O.C. @ LINE OF WALL BEYOND

34" MIN.

LANDING LIN
E
OF STAIR SECTION 4" CONC. FLATWORK
8'- 1 1/8"

HA
ND W/ EXP. AGG. FINISH
2 X 6 LEDGER RA 3/8" 1'-0" OVER 4" GRAVEL FILL
7 3/4"

IL
MAX.

W/ U26 HGR.
2- 2 X 4
TOP PL.
1" TREAD MAT'L
2 X 8 LEDGER
W/ U210 HGR. 3/4" RISERS FIGURE 3921 Common types of exterior stairs.
10 1/2"
2 X 4 STUDS
@ 16" O.C.
3- 2 X 12 STRINGERS

5/8" TYPE 'X' GYP. BD. @ 2 X 4 D.F.P.T. SILL

2 X 6 D.F.P.T. SILL W/
3 RAMSET FASTENERS
risers and run have been marked off, the riser can
ALL USABLE STORAGE
be drawn. Notice that the riser is drawn on a slight
STAIR SECTION angle. It can be drawn at about 10 and not labeled.
3/8" 1'-0"
This is something the flatwork crew will determine
FIGURE 3920 An L-shaped stair combines elements of a at the job site, depending on their forms.
straight-run and a U-shaped stair. Depending where the cut-
ting plane is placed, one portion of the stair run will be seen
in section and one portion of the stair will be seen in section. SECTIONSTAIR CHECKLIST
Always show the landing in section so that construction and
fire-resistance methods can be shown. Plot this section and any required details
using an appropriate scale and place on size D
material with other sections.
Use stock details from Chapter 38 to complete the
section showing the following items.
912
Plot
Assume a scale of 3/8" = 1'0" minimum unless your
instructor provides other instructions.
Text: Assume all text to be 1/8" high, neatly aligned
in columns.
Titles: Assume to be 1/4" high text minimum.
Leader length/leader location: Center of top line on
left/center of bottom line on right.
Insert drawings into a drawing sheet with a com-
pleted title block.
Freeze viewports.
Drawing
Show and specify the required material to construct
the stair including:
Coordination with floor plan representation.
Stair tread and riser construction.
Connection at the stair to upper floor.
Connection at the stair to lower floor/kickblock.
Upper floor support over stairwell/headroom.
Guardrail location/support around stairwell.
Connection of stringer to support walls.
Fireproofing of usable storage.
Solid block at midspans.
CADD APPLICATIONS
Drawing Stairs with CADD
Some CADD systems can generate stair sections based
on the information provided on the floor plan. Other
CADD programs can generate a stair section once some
basic information is provided. All you have to do is pick
the starting point of the stairs, specify the number of
steps required, give the stair width and direction, and
give the total rise; the program then automatically
calculates the rise of each step. The program asks you
to provide handrails with or without balusters and
provides you with several options for handrail ends.
After you have given the required information, the stair
is drawn automatically.
CADD stair detailing systems can reduce detailing
time from hours to minutes. The CADD program uses
Architectural Drafting and Design
Wall construction surrounding the stairwell.
Correct wallfloor intersection.
Show required beams and girders for construction.
Show and specify floor/foundation supports.
Annotation
Specify all materials including:
Tread and riser size and material.
Stringer size and material.
Kickblock size and material (PT for concrete slabs).
Headers, required metal hangers, and blocking.
Fireproofing.
Hand and guardrail size and material.
Dimensions
Total rise and run.
Individual rise and runList actual and code-required
minimum sizes.
HeadroomList actual height and code-required
minimum headroom.
Handrail and guardrail heightsList actual height
and code-required minimum height.
Handrail and guardrail spacing of balusters.
Clearances of treads to any walls if required.
your specifications for type of stair construction, total
rise, and total run. It then automatically calculates the
individual rise and run. You specify the tread, riser type,
thickness, stringer dimensions, and railing specifications.
After all design variables are input, the computer auto-
matically draws, completely dimensions, and labels the
stair section.
A stair section can be drawn using the AutoCAD
system by following the manual layout procedure.
As with other sections, the assigning of layers such
as MCUT (materials cut by cutting plane) and MBND
(materials behind cutting plane) is useful when placing
materials. Other layers such as ANNO, DIMS, and OUTL
should be used to separate drawing components.
Chapter 39: Stair Construction and Layout 913

CADD APPLICATIONS
Commands such as ARRAY, OFFSET, TRIM, and FILLET
will quickly reproduce repetitive elements of the
stair. Once the floor levels have been determined,
the starting point can be established. Each tread and
riser can then be located using the OFFSET or ARRAY
command so that the layout would resemble Figure
39-8. The thickness of the treads and risers shown in
Figure 39-9 can be created using the OFFSET command.
Once one tread and riser have been created, they
can be copied throughout the rest of the run. The
balance of the stair section can be created following
the straight-run stair procedure. Annotation can be
placed using either the TEXT or MTEXT commands
and dimensions should be placed using the DIM
command.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES See CD for more information

The following Web sites can be used as a resource to www.stairwaysinc.com Stairways, Inc.
help you keep current with changes in stair materials. www.theironshop.com The Iron Shop
These Web site links are also provided on the Student www.yorkspiralstair.com York Spiral Stair
CD where you can select a link and go automatically to
the specified Web site.
Company, Product,
Address or Service
www.arcways.com Arcways, Inc.
www.southernstaircase.com Southern Staircase

See CD
for more
Stair Construction and Layout Test information

QUESTIONS
DIRECTIONS: Answer the questions with short, complete state-
ments or drawings as needed on an 8 1/2" 11" sheet of note-
book paper, as follows:
1. Letter your name, Chapter 39 Test, and the date at the top
of the sheet.
2. Letter the question number and provide the answer. You
do not need to write out the question. Answers may be pre-
pared on a word processor if course guidelines allow it.
Question 391 What is a tread?
Question 392 What is the minimum headroom required
for a residential stair?
Question 393 What is the maximum individual rise of
a step?
Question 394 What member is used to support the
stairs?
Question 395 What spacing is required between the
verticals of a railing?
Question 396 Describe the difference between a handrail
and a guardrail.
Question 397 How many risers are required if the
height between floors is 10' (3048 mm)?
Question 398 Sketch three common stair types.
Question 399 If a run of 10" (250 mm) is to be used,
what will be the total run when the distance between
floors is 9' (2740 mm)?
Question 3910 What is a common size for treads in an
open-tread layout?