Basic Stair Layout

Front 1

The type of stairway that extends from one level to another without interruption is a __________.

A. U-shaped stairway

B. Straight-run stairway

C. L-shaped stairway

D. Landing

Back 1

B. Straight-run stairway

Front 2

Landings must be used when the vertical distance between floors from the top of a stairway to the bottom exceeds __________.

A. 4'

B. 6'

C. 12'

D. 18'

Back 2

C. 12'

Front 3

The minimum headroom for residential and commercial stairways is __________.

A. 6'-6"

B. 6'-8"

C. 7'-0"

D. 7'-8"

Back 3

B. 6'-8"

Front 4

How many center cutout stringers will be needed for a stairway measuring 90" wide?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 4

D. 6

Back 4

B. 2

Front 5

A stairway containing riser heights of 7½", 7⅝", & 7¾" is within tolerance per the International Residential Code.

True

False

Back 5

True

Front 6

The minimum width for a residential stairway is __________.

A. 28"

B. 32"

C. 36"

D. 44"

Back 6

C. 36"

Front 7

Depending on local code, handrails may be required on both sides of a stairway measuring a minimum of __________.

A. 28" wide

B. 32" wide

C. 36" wide

D. 44" wide

Back 7

D. 44" wide

Front 8

Additional structural members are not required when framing a stairwell.

True

False

Back 8

False

Front 9

When laying out a stringer, the minimum distance between the junction of the rise/run lines and the bottom of the stringer is __________.

A. 1"

B. 2"

C. 4"

D. None of the above

Back 9

C. 4"

Front 10

Long stringers may be reinforced with 2x4 or 2x6 __________.

A. Trimmers

B. Strongbacks

C. Headers

D. Cripples

Back 10

B. Strongbacks

Front 11

Because it is difficult to build which type of stairway is often fabricated off-site?

A. Straight-run stairway

B. Platform stairway

C. Double-L stairway

D. Winding stairway

Back 11

D. Winding stairway

Front 12

Which type of stairway uses wedge-shaped treads when changing direction?

A. Narrow-U

B. Platform

C. Long-L

D. Winding

Back 12

D. Winding

Front 13

A series of steps that are straight and continuous without breaks is called __________.

A. Rise

B. Flight

C. Run

D. Covey

Back 13

B. Flight

Front 14

Geometrical stairways can be potentially dangerous if not properly constructed.

True

False

Back 14

True

Front 15

All of the following are types of geometrical stairs except __________.

A. Circular

B. Elliptical

C. Wide-U

D. Spiral

Back 15

C. Wide-U

Front 16

Which of the following statements about a straight-run stairway is NOT true?

A. It is continuous from one level to another

B. It is the easiest stairway to build

C. It has a landing

D. It requires a long stairwell

Back 16

C. It has a landing

Front 17

Service stairs are the primary means of access in a two-story commercial building.

True

False

Back 17

False

Front 18

Per the International Building Code, minimum stairway width for a building occupied by 26 people is __________.

A. 32"

B. 36"

C. 40"

D. 44"

Back 18

B. 36"

Front 19

Per the International Building Code, minimum handrail height from top of rail to nosing is __________.

A. 34"

B. 36"

C. 40"

D. 44"

Back 19

A. 34"

Front 20

Per the International Building Code, maximum handrail height from top of rail to nosing is __________.

A. 34"

B. 38"

C. 46"

D. 50"

Back 20

B. 38"

Front 21

What international code specifies size requirements for residential stairways and handrails?

A. International Building Code

B. International Residential Code

C. ANSI

D. International Stairway Association

Back 21

B. International Residential Code

Front 22

A wood stairway that is wider than 30" requires one or more __________.

A. Strongbacks

B. Housed Stringers

C. Support Purlins

D. Center Cut-out Stringers

Back 22

D. Center Cut-out Stringers

Front 23

A closed stairway has __________.

A. A wall on one side

B. Doors at top and bottom

C. Walls on both sides

D. A landing with a railing

Back 23

C. Walls on both sides

Front 24

The main support for a handrail at the bottom of a stairway is called a __________.

A. Balluster

B. Main Newell Post

C. Ending Newell Post

D. Starting Newell Post

Back 24

D. Starting Newell Post

Front 25

The maximum stair riser height specified in the International Building Code is __________.

A. 6½"

B. 7"

C. 7¾"

D. 8"

Back 25

B. 7"

Front 26

The vertical distance between a stair tread nosing and any structure or ceiling above the stairway is known as the __________.

A. Newell Post

B. Skirtboard

C. Crown

D. Headroom

Back 26

D. Headroom

Front 27

The handrail known as a wall rail is used on a __________.

A. Closed stairway

B. Winding stairway

C. Open stairway

D. Balustrade

Back 27

A. Closed stairway

Front 28

Which of the following is used to establish the rise and run of a staircase?

A. Tread width + (2×Riser Height) = 17"-18"

B. Tread width × riser height = 24"-25"

C. Tread width + (2×Riser Height) = 24"-25"

D. Tread width + (2×Riser Height) = 70"-75"

Back 28

C. Tread width + (2×Riser Height) = 24"-25"

Front 29

For maximum safety, the preferred slope of a stairway is between __________.

A. 15° - 20°

B. 30° - 35°

C. 45° - 50°

D. 55° - 60°

Back 29

B. 30° - 35°

Front 30

A rule of thumb for establishing the proper angle of a staircase states that the sum of one riser plus one tread should be equal to __________.

A. 14" & 16"

B. 16" & 17"

C. 17" & 18"

D. 18" & 19"

Back 30

C. 17" & 18"

Front 31

The item placed between the building wall and stairway to prevent the wall from cracking created by settling is the __________.

A. Crown Jabber

B. Expansion Joint

C. Skirtboard

D. Stringer

Back 31

C. Skirtboard

Front 32

Circular, elliptical, and spiral stairs are all types of __________.

Back 32

Geometrical Stairways

Front 33

The __________ is the main post supporting the handrail of a staircase.

Back 33

Newell post

Front 34

The projection of a tread beyond the face of the riser is called the __________.

Back 34

Nosing

Front 35

The height of each riser is the __________.

Back 35

Unit Rise

Front 36

The depth of each tread is the __________.

Back 36

Unit Run

Front 37

When you walk up several flights of stairs, you are likely to pause on the __________ between flights.

Back 37

Landing

Front 38

An open fire escape stairway is likely to be enclosed by a __________.

Back 38

Guard

Front 39

An enclosed stairway will have a __________ along the wall to serve as a handhold.

Back 39

Handrail

Front 40

The spindles of a staircase are also called the __________.

Back 40

Ballusters

Front 41

The distance between any portion of a step and the ceiling is the __________.

Back 41

Headroom

Front 42

A cut out __________ provides the main support for a stairway.

Back 42

Stringer

Front 43

The horizontal part of a step is known as the __________.

Back 43

Tread

Front 44

The vertical part of a step is known as the __________.

Back 44

Riser

Front 45

A __________ is a vertical compartment in a building into which stairs are placed.

Back 45

Stairwell

Front 46

The __________ is the horizontal distance from the face of the first riser to the face of the last riser.

Back 46

Total Run

Front 47

The __________ is the vertical dimension of a set of stairs.

Back 47

Total Rise

Front 48

A __________ is sometimes used against the wall in a closed staircase.

Back 48

Skirtboard

Front 49

The complete handrail, post, and spindle assembly is known as the __________.

Back 49

Balustrade

Front 50

A stringer with grooves cut into it to hold the risers and treads is a __________.

Back 50

Housed Stringer

Front 51

A stairway that can be viewed from within a room is called an __________.

Back 51

Open Stairway

Front 52

A __________ can be used as a pattern for marking cuts for stairs.

Back 52

Pitch Board

Front 53

The degree of incline for a set of stairs is the __________.

Back 53

Rise and run

Front 54

A __________ is used to ascend from one level of a building to another.

Back 54

Stairway