Lexicon of a staircase - Angle

Angle

Determine the slope of the staircase.
The angle should be between 20 and 50°. Its ideal value is 30°.

Lexicon of a staircase - Balancing

Balancing

A balanced staircase is a staircase whose steps turn progressively at the angles.
Mainly used in Europe, balancing improves the comfort, safety and aesthetics of a staircase.
Balancing also increases the contact surface with the interior string.

Lexicon of a staircase - Blondel's law

Blondel's law

G + 2H = 590 to 650mm (23.2 to 25.6")
Formula invented by the French architect François Blondel (1618-1686) checking the coherence between the step height and the going.
The ideal value is 630mm (24.8").

Lexicon of a staircase - Flight

Flight

Series of steps between 2 landings.

Lexicon of a staircase - Going

Going

Horizontal distance between two step nosings.
The going should be between 230 and 330mm (9 and 13").
Its ideal value is 280mm (11").

Lexicon of a staircase - Half-turn staircase

Half-turn staircase

A half-turn staircase is a staircase composed of 2 angles at 90°.

Lexicon of a staircase - Headroom

Headroom

Distance between the ceiling and the walkline at the stairwell.
The headroom should be greater than 1900mm (75") and the ideal value is greater than or equal to 2100mm (83").

Lexicon of a staircase - Height

Height

Vertical distance between the lower floor and the upper floor.

Lexicon of a staircase - Landing

Landing

Horizontal surface wider than the current steps.
It allows to mark a rest or to change the direction of the staircase.

Lexicon of a staircase - Landing step

Landing step

Step in the extension of the upper floor.
It allows an overlap on the last step.
It also facilitates the connection of the string and the handrail with the upper floor.

Lexicon of a staircase - Overlap

Overlap

Part of the step covered by the top step.
The overlap improves the comfort of the staircase.

Lexicon of a staircase - Quarter-turn staircase

Quarter-turn staircase

A quarter-turn staircase is a staircase with a 90° angle.

Lexicon of a staircase - Riser

Riser

Vertical part connecting 2 consecutive steps.

Lexicon of a staircase - Spiral staircase

Spiral staircase

A spiral staircase is a staircase whose steps radiate around a central axis.

Lexicon of a staircase - Stair width

Stair width

Useful width of the staircase.
The stair width must be greater than 700mm (28") and its ideal value is greater than or equal to 800mm (32").

Lexicon of a staircase - Stairwell

Stairwell

Opening in the upper floor allowing the passage of the staircase.

Lexicon of a staircase - Step

Step

Horizontal surface on which the foot is placed.

Lexicon of a staircase - Step height

Step height

Vertical distance between two step nosings.
The step height should be between 150 and 200mm (6 and 8").
Its ideal value is 175mm (7").

Lexicon of a staircase - Step nosing

Step nosing

Protruding part of a step.

Lexicon of a staircase - Straight staircase

Straight staircase

A straight staircase is a staircase without any change of direction.

Lexicon of a staircase - String

String

Element that allows to hold the steps of staircase.

Lexicon of a staircase - Total run

Total run

Horizontal distance between the nose of the first step and the step nosing of the upper floor.

Lexicon of a staircase - Walkline

Walkline

Fictitious line symbolizing the user's passage.
It is used to determine the going for turning staircases.
If the stair width is less than or equal to 1m (40") then the walkline is located in the middle.
If the stair width is greater than 1m (40") then the walkline is located 500mm (20") from the inner handrail.