Title:
Evaluating Riser Height Tolerances for Concrete Stairs
Author(s):
Heather J. Brown and Bruce A. Suprenant
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
29
Issue:
1
Appears on pages(s):
51-54
Keywords:
constructibility; litigation; safety; stairs; tolerances
DOI:
Date:
1/1/2007
Abstract:
Tolerances for building construction have sometimes been set without considering the builder’s ability to meet them or the effect of an out-of-tolerance condition on serviceability. Tightly controlled stair riser height tolerances are one such case. Because of the consequences of possible litigation, riser heights must meet strict tolerances despite the fact that there are no studies showing a correlation between variations in riser height and trip-and-fall accidents. Using a standard measuring protocol developed for the study, riser height measurements were gathered from existing structures to provide data for defining reasonable riser height tolerances.