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The main hall of a two-storey dwelling has a closed riser wooden stairs - Leaving Cert Construction Studies - Question 7 - 2019
Question 7
The main hall of a two-storey dwelling has a closed riser wooden stairs. The bottom of the stairs has a bullnose step as shown. The newel post is 120 mm x 120 mm and... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The main hall of a two-storey dwelling has a closed riser wooden stairs - Leaving Cert Construction Studies - Question 7 - 2019
Step 1
(a) Draw a vertical section through the centre of the stairs.
Answer
To draw a vertical section through the centre of the stairs at a scale of 1:5, follow these steps:
- Outline the Structure: Begin with a vertical line representing the newel post at 120 mm x 120 mm. Sketch the closed riser stairs adjacent to it, illustrating the bullnose step and the dimensions.
- Detail the Steps: Include the bottom three steps, drawing their outlines and ensuring that the riser height does not exceed 175 mm. Represent each step with appropriate thickness and indicate the thread width of 250 mm.
- Add Balusters and Handrail: Illustrate the balusters, positioned at 40 mm in diameter, with a handrail of 40 mm x 40 mm attached to the top. Ensure to show vertical spacing between balusters that accommodates a sphere of 100 mm in diameter.
- Include Dimensions: Clearly label the dimensions of three structural members:
- Newel post: 120 mm x 120 mm
- Riser: 175 mm
- Thread: 250 mm x 25 mm.
Make sure to provide clear markings and annotations on the drawing for better clarity.
Step 2
(b) Three design features that ensure the stairs is safe for users.
Answer
To ensure that the stairs are safe for users, consider incorporating the following features:
- Maximum Pitch: The maximum pitch should be 42° (optimal range is between 38° to 42°), to prevent steepness which could lead to falls.
- Min. Going: Ensure that the minimum going is 220 mm for comfortable foot placement and to reduce the risk of tripping.
- Handrail Requirement: A handrail must be present on at least one side of the staircase, providing a support structure for users when ascending or descending.
Additionally, you should also adhere to other relevant features like ensuring the width of stairs is at least 800 mm for safe passage.