Stair Design Principles: Master the Basics of Staircase Construction

Question 1

In stair construction, what do we call the vertical distance between the top and bottom of a stair tread?

Accepted Answer

Rise

Answer

Run

Answer

Tread depth

Answer

Nosing

Question 2

In the context of stair construction, what is the horizontal distance between the face of a riser and the face of the next riser called?

Accepted Answer

Run

Answer

Rise

Answer

Tread depth

Answer

Nosing

Question 3

In stair construction, what is the primary purpose of a stair stringer?

Accepted Answer

To provide support for the treads from below

Answer

To provide support for the handrails

Answer

To connect the treads and risers

Answer

To provide a walking surface

Question 4

According to building codes in the United States, what is the minimum run for a stair step?

Accepted Answer

12 inches

Answer

10 inches

Answer

11 inches

Answer

13 inches

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of a stair landing?

Accepted Answer

To provide a resting spot for users

Answer

To change the direction of a stairway

Answer

To increase the structural support of the stairs

Answer

To enhance the aesthetic appeal of the stairway

Question 6

When determining the number of risers in a stairway, which factor is of primary importance?

Accepted Answer

The desired rise per step

Answer

The total height of the stairs

Answer

The width of the stairs

Answer

The slope of the stairs

Question 7

What is the primary function of a stair stringer?

Accepted Answer

To support the treads and risers

Answer

To connect the stairs to the floor

Answer

To provide a decorative element to the stairway

Answer

To increase the rigidity of the stairs

Question 8

Which type of stair features treads that are suspended from a central beam?

Accepted Answer

Floating staircase

Answer

Open staircase

Answer

Spiral staircase

Answer

Curved staircase

Question 9

Why are non-slip surfaces and good lighting important for safe stairs?

Accepted Answer

To prevent falls and help people see clearly.

Answer

To make the stairs look nice and welcoming.

Answer

To make the stairs cheaper and easier to build.

Answer

To pass building inspections, even if they aren't safe.

Question 10

In stair construction, which feature is typical of an open stringer?

Accepted Answer

Exposed treads and open sides

Answer

Solid risers and enclosed sides

Answer

Exclusively used in outdoor staircases

Answer

Stronger structure than closed stringers

Question 11

Which of the following formulas is used to determine the number of risers required for a staircase in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Rise / Run

Answer

Run / Rise

Answer

(Rise + Run) / 2

Answer

Height / Tread Depth

Question 12

What is the primary function of a stringer in a staircase?

Accepted Answer

To support the treads and risers

Answer

To provide a railing for safety

Answer

To create the angle of the staircase

Answer

To allow for easy access to the underside of the stairs

Question 13

What is the term used to describe the vertical distance between two treads on a staircase?

Accepted Answer

Rise

Answer

Run

Answer

Pitch

Answer

Tread Depth

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a factor to consider when designing stairs for accessibility in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Visibility of the steps

Answer

Width of the staircase

Answer

Height of the risers

Answer

Inclusion of a handrail

Question 15

In stair design, which term refers to the vertical distance between consecutive treads?

Accepted Answer

Rise

Answer

Run

Answer

Tread depth

Answer

Pitch

Question 16

What is the primary purpose of a stair nosing?

Accepted Answer

To provide a non-slip surface

Answer

To conceal stair tread edges

Answer

To support stair treads

Answer

To increase tread depth

Question 17

To calculate the number of treads needed for a staircase, which method is commonly used?

Accepted Answer

Divide the total rise by the desired riser height

Answer

Multiply the total run by the desired tread depth

Answer

Add the rise and run and divide by 2

Answer

Subtract the run from the rise and multiply by 3

Question 18

When designing stairs for the elderly or individuals with mobility challenges, which of the following should be prioritized?

Accepted Answer

Reduced rise and increased run

Answer

Increased rise and reduced run

Answer

Steeper pitch for easier climbing

Answer

Straight run design only

Question 19

What is the primary purpose of a stair stringer?

Accepted Answer

Supporting the treads and risers

Answer

Providing a handhold for climbing

Answer

Preventing slipping

Answer

Adding decorative detailing

Question 20

What is the typical angle for a straight staircase in residential construction?

Accepted Answer

30°

Answer

25°

Answer

35°

Answer

40°

Question 21

According to building codes, which safety feature is required on staircases with more than three steps?

Accepted Answer

Handrail

Answer

Stairwell lighting

Answer

Slip-resistant treads

Answer

Smoke detectors

Question 22

What is the primary function of a newel post in a staircase?

Accepted Answer

Supporting the handrail

Answer

Anchoring the stringers

Answer

Providing decorative ornamentation

Answer

Acting as a step riser

Question 23

Which factor primarily determines the slope of a staircase?

Accepted Answer

Rise

Answer

Run

Answer

Tread depth

Answer

Staircase width

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of maintaining a consistent run in a staircase?

Accepted Answer

Increased headroom

Answer

Enhanced safety

Answer

Reduced construction time

Answer

Improved visual appeal

Question 25

Which building code regulates the minimum width of staircases in the United States?

Accepted Answer

IRC (International Residential Code)

Answer

IBC (International Building Code)

Answer

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

Answer

ANSI (American National Standards Institute)

Question 26

What is the recommended maximum angle of inclination for a staircase in the United States?

Accepted Answer

35 degrees

Answer

30 degrees

Answer

40 degrees

Answer

45 degrees

Question 27

Which element is necessary to calculate the number of risers in a stairwell?

Accepted Answer

Overall vertical rise from the bottom to the top of the stairs

Answer

Desired height of each individual riser

Answer

Length of the staircase's stringers

Answer

Angle of inclination of the staircase

Question 28

Which building code regulates the staircase rise height limitations in residential constructions?

Accepted Answer

International Residential Code (IRC)

Answer

International Building Code (IBC)

Answer

National Electrical Code (NEC)

Answer

Uniform Building Code (UBC)

Question 29

What is the key distinction between a closed stringer and an open stringer?

Accepted Answer

Closed stringers have solid sides, while open stringers have cutouts

Answer

Open stringers have solid sides, while closed stringers have cutouts

Answer

Closed stringers are thicker than open stringers

Answer

Open stringers are thicker than closed stringers

Question 30

Which factor is irrelevant in determining the width of a stair?

Accepted Answer

The type of material used for stair treads

Answer

The number of people using the stairs

Answer

Fire safety guidelines

Answer

Staircase location within the building

Question 31

Which type of wood is commonly used for stair treads due to its durability and resistance to wear?

Accepted Answer

Oak

Answer

Pine

Answer

Cedar

Answer

Mahogany

Question 32

What is the term for the vertical distance between two consecutive treads?

Accepted Answer

Rise

Answer

Run

Answer

Tread

Answer

Pitch

Question 33

What is the purpose of a stair landing?

Accepted Answer

To provide a resting point and change direction

Answer

To create a visual barrier

Answer

To house electrical components

Answer

To support the weight of the stairs

Question 34

Which of the following is a safety feature required on all residential staircases?

Accepted Answer

Handrails

Answer

Riser lights

Answer

Bullnoses

Answer

Toe kicks

Question 35

What is the primary purpose of a stairwell?

Accepted Answer

To provide a safe exit path in case of fire

Answer

To allow natural light into the stairwell

Answer

To support the weight of the roof

Question 36

Which of the following materials are commonly used for stair treads?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

Pine

Answer

Carpet

Answer

Oak

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a primary factor influencing the design of a staircase?

Accepted Answer

The type of wood used for the handrail

Answer

The number of people who will use the staircase

Answer

The intended use of the staircase

Answer

The available space for the staircase

Question 38

What is the primary purpose of a handrail on a staircase?

Accepted Answer

To provide support and stability for users

Answer

To prevent the stairs from collapsing

Answer

To add aesthetic appeal to the staircase

Answer

To provide a place to hang a coat

Question 39

A 'nosing' on a stair tread refers to:

Accepted Answer

The projecting edge of the tread

Answer

The space between the tread and the riser

Answer

The vertical face of the tread

Answer

The point where the handrail connects to the newel post

Question 40

A staircase with a 'dog-legged' layout is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Two flights of stairs turning at a 90-degree angle

Answer

A spiral shape with a central pole

Answer

A series of steps that gradually change direction

Answer

A straight run of stairs

Question 41

Which of the following is a primary safety concern in stair design?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring adequate headroom clearance

Answer

Using a specific type of wood for the treads

Answer

Minimizing the number of steps in the staircase

Answer

Matching the color of the stairs to the flooring

Question 42

When designing a staircase, it's crucial to consider the intended use primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Ensure the staircase meets the needs of its users, such as accessibility for people with disabilities

Answer

Determine the most visually appealing design for the staircase

Answer

Decide on the preferred building materials to use for the stairs

Question 43

Which of the following formulas is used to calculate the rise of a stair?

Accepted Answer

Rise = Height of story / Number of risers

Answer

Rise = Height of story + Number of risers

Answer

Rise = Run x Tread depth

Question 44

Which of the following types of landing is used when a stair changes direction by 180 degrees?

Accepted Answer

Intermediate landing

Answer

Bottom landing

Answer

Top landing

Answer

Split landing

Question 45

What is the primary purpose of a handrail on a stair?

Accepted Answer

To provide support and prevent falls

Answer

To enhance the aesthetic appeal of the stair

Answer

To divide the stair into two sections

Question 46

In stair design, which factor should be given the highest priority?

Accepted Answer

Safety

Answer

Aesthetics

Answer

Cost

Question 47

What is the mathematical relationship between the rise and run in a staircase?

Accepted Answer

They are inversely proportional.

Answer

They are unrelated.

Answer

They are equal.

Answer

They are directly proportional.

Question 48

A staircase with a rise of 7 inches and a run of 10 inches would have a riser-to-tread ratio of:

Accepted Answer

7:10

Answer

7:1

Answer

10:7

Answer

1:1

Question 49

What is the primary purpose of handrails on a staircase?

Accepted Answer

To provide support and stability for users.

Answer

To prevent the staircase from collapsing.

Answer

To enhance the aesthetic appeal of the staircase.

Question 50

A staircase with a curved layout, also known as a:

Accepted Answer

Spiral staircase

Answer

U-shaped staircase

Answer

Straight staircase

Answer

L-shaped staircase

Question 51

When designing a staircase for a commercial building, which of the following factors should be considered?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

The expected volume of foot traffic.

Answer

The presence of accessibility requirements.

Answer

The overall design aesthetic of the building.

Question 52

A staircase with a rise of 7.5 inches and a run of 10 inches would have a rise-to-run ratio of:

Accepted Answer

3:4

Answer

1:1

Answer

4:3

Answer

7.5:10

Question 53

Which of the following would be considered a safety hazard in a staircase design?

Accepted Answer

A tread depth that is too narrow.

Answer

A handrail that is too high.

Answer

A landing that is too wide.

Answer

A staircase that is too straight.