TIMBER STAIRS

A staircase with treads and risers constructed from timber boards are called timber stairs.these are
comparatively light in weight and easy to construct.And also has easy maintenance.They are mostly
used in residential areas.Problem occur during fire because occupant sof upper floors cannot
escape.The timber used for the construction should free from fungal decay and insect attack, and
should be well treated before use.It has a poor fire resistance property.Fire resisting hard wood of
proper thickness of about 45mm may be used which is sufficiently fire proof.

COMPONENTS

• The members of the staircase flight are strings, treads and risers.
• The strings are the support for the stairs and act as inclined beam spanning between the floor and
the landing.
• The treads and risers are joined to form the steps of the flight and are housed in or fixed to strings
whose purpose is to support them
• For additional supports bearer or a carriage maybe placed under the treads.the members of the
flight are usually cut from the timbers of the following sizes:treads 32 or 38,risers 19 or 25,strings
38 or 44.
• Small triangular wooden blocks, known as glue blocks maybe provided at the inner angle formed
between tread and riser gives an additional touch, placed at 80mm distance.
• In some cases, the risers maybe totally omitted.the treads are housed in the strings and soffit is
covered with wooden battens or metal sheets.

TIMBER USED
-Free from fungal decay, insect attack and other defects.
-edges should be finished smooth
-pieces of timber having abnormal light weight should not be used.
TIMBER STEPS

• The thickness of timber step should not be less than 32mm and that of riser 25mm.
• Timber tread and riser can be simply joined by tongue and grooved joints.The joints are then
nailed or screwed.
• The nosing of the step should not project beyond the face of the riser for more than the thickness
of the tread.
• Scotia block maybe provided to improve the appearance of the steps.
• A metal strip may be provided on the nosing of a wooden set-to increase its resistance against
wear and tear.
STONE STAIRS
Stones should be hard and non-absorbent.Stone stairs are heavy and need substantial supports.They
are preferred for outside stairs and for threshold, approach to basements,heating chambers, etc. Due
to regular use, the steps become slippery and dangerous.It should have enough resistance to the
action of fire.
Stones are in general hard, durable and weather resistant.They are widely used at places where
ashlar stones are readily available.Widely used in warehoues,workshops and other public
buildings.Restricted in residential buildings to use as outside stairs.Being heavy n weight ,stone
stairs require stable support to avoid the danger of damage due to settlement of supporting
walls.Different types of stone steps adopted are as follows:

1. Rectangular steps
2. Spandril steps
3. Built-up steps

Rectangular steps:

Steps form triangular shape in cross-section.It is cut from solid stone into square
or rectangular blocks of uniform size.Cut in such a way to obtain a plain soffit. In rectangular steps,
the lower edge of one step is supported on the top back edge of the other.In order to strengthen the
joint, rebated or checked joints are used.To provide a better appearance, the front edges have
moulded noses.Results in considerable saving in labour of cutting and dressing the stones.

Spandril stone steps:

 Here the steps are cut so as to provide a plain outfit.In general, these steps are
nearly triangular in shape except at the ends which are built into the wall.This arrangement is used
where the headroom is desired.The soffit affords a nice appearance and the weights of the steps is
also reduced.Soffit can also be made moulded or broken.

Built-up steps:

In built-up steps the tread and riser of each step are made of thin swan slabs
similar to timber steps.The stone slab treads and risers are connected by dowels.In case the treads

are supported at the ends only, then the thickness of the tread should be more than 5cm.The stone
slab are placed over concrete or brick steps.This type of step will give an ornamental look whee
granite or marble stones are used.