Question 1

The ____ is the vertical distance from one step to another.

Accepted Answer

The vertical distance from one step to another is known as the unit rise. Total rise refers to the entire height of the stairway from the bottom to the top, while total run refers to the horizontal distance of one step from the front edge to the back edge. Unit run is the horizontal distance between each step.

Question 2

The International Building Code (IBC) specifies that the height of a riser shall not exceed 7 3/4 inches and that the width of a tread not be less than ____ inches.

Accepted Answer

The International Building Code (IBC) specifies that the minimum width of a tread should be 10 inches. This is to ensure safety and accessibility in stair design.

Question 3

Tread ____ is installed under the overhang of the tread and against the riser.

Accepted Answer

Tread molding is the correct term for the material installed under the overhang of the tread and against the riser, as it serves both a functional and decorative purpose in stair construction.

Question 4

Platform stairs are built by first erecting the ____.

Accepted Answer

Platform stairs are built by first erecting the platform, which serves as the base for the rest of the stairs. The bottom run, bottom riser, and header are all components that come after the platform is in place.

Question 5

A rosette may not be used to end the handrail against a wall.

Accepted Answer

A rosette can be used to end the handrail against a wall.

Question 6

The router used with a stair template must be equipped with a straight bit.

Accepted Answer

A straight bit is necessary for creating straight cuts in the wood when using a stair template.

Question 7

A landing tread is the same width as regular treads in a staircase.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A landing tread is the same width...

Question 8

A ____ is the horizontal member on which the feet are placed when climbing or descending the stairs.

Accepted Answer

A tread is the horizontal surface of a step where feet are placed when climbing or descending stairs. A riser is the vertical portion of a step, a stair carriage is not a common term in stair construction, and a stair stringer is the structural support for the treads and risers.

Question 9

A(n) ____ is an opening in the floor for the stairway to pass through.

Accepted Answer

A stairwell is a vertical shaft that contains the staircase and usually extends through multiple levels of a building. It includes the opening in the floor for the stairway to pass through. Nosing refers to the edge of each step in a staircase, while closed and open staircase refer to the design of the staircase itself, not the shaft or opening through which it passes.

Question 10

Usually, ____ carriages are used for residential staircases of average width.

Accepted Answer

Three carriages are typically used for residential staircases of average width to ensure stability and proper support.

Question 11

Stair carriage and stair stringer are the same thing.

Accepted Answer

Stair carriage and stair stringer are different components of a staircase. Stair stringers are the sloping boards that support the treads and risers of a staircase, while stair carriage refers to the entire supporting structure or framework of a staircase, which includes the stringers, treads, risers, and any other structural elements.

Question 12

If there are no headroom limits, several possible unit rise - unit run combinations for a particular total rise.

Accepted Answer

If there are no headroom limits, there are multiple unit rise - unit run combinations possible for a particular total rise. This is because the height of each step (unit rise) and the length of each step (unit run) can vary depending on the designer's preferences and other factors.

Question 13

A stair ____ is designed for changing the direction of the stairs and as a resting place for long stair runs.

Accepted Answer

A landing is a platform at the top or bottom of a flight of stairs that provides a resting place for people traveling up or down the stairs. It can also be used to change the direction of the stairs.

Question 14

If the total rise is 57" for a set of stairs the largest possible unit rise is 7 1/8".

Accepted Answer

To find the largest possible unit rise, divide the total rise of 57" by the smallest permitted unit run of 8 inches (as per building codes). 57/8 = 7.125 or 7 1/8 inches, which means the largest possible unit rise is indeed 7 1/8 inches.

Question 15

A straight stairway is continuous from one floor to another.

Accepted Answer

A straight stairway is a continuous set of stairs that connect one floor to another.

Question 16

____ stairs extend from a habitable to an uninhabitable level.

Accepted Answer

Service stairs are typically used for maintenance and access to mechanical and electrical components in a building. They do not need to meet the same code requirements as finish stairs and can be more utilitarian in design. Therefore, they are often used to connect a habitable level to an uninhabitable one. Finish stairs, on the other hand, are designed for daily use and must meet strict code requirements regarding tread size, riser height, and handrail placement. Winding stairs and platform stairs can both be used for both habitable and uninhabitable levels, so they are not the best choice for this question.

Question 17

The width of the stairwell depends on the width of the ____.

Accepted Answer

The width of the stairwell is determined by the width of the staircase, as the stairwell must accommodate the entire staircase structure.

Question 18

Decreasing the unit rise decreases the run of the stairs.

Accepted Answer

Decreasing the unit rise (the height of each step) actually increases the run (the horizontal depth) of the stairs, making the stairs longer in order to maintain a comfortable and safe slope.

Question 19

The desired headroom must be known to calculate the stairwell length.

Accepted Answer

The headroom is the minimum distance required between each step and the ceiling, and this measurement is necessary to determine the appropriate length of the stairwell.

Question 20

When finishing a closed stair carriage, the risers are installed first.

Accepted Answer

Risers are installed before the treads in a closed stair carriage.

Quiz 19: Stair Framing and Finish