Stair Terminology Quiz

What is the purpose of a bullnose step in a staircase?

• To reinforce the joint between the tread and the riser

• To have a 90º radiused end

• To provide support to the handrail

• To give the user more access to the bottom of the flight

What are balusters in a staircase used for?

• To provide support to the handrail

• To reinforce the joint between the tread and the riser

• To provide guarding to the open side of the stairs and landing areas

• To cover the joint between two parts of the structure

What is the function of a newel post in a staircase?

• To provide a means of jointing the string and handrail

• To provide support to the flight

• To reinforce the joint between the tread and the riser

• To provide guarding to the open side of the stairs and landing areas

What is the definition of a scotia in prestigious stair construction?

• The vertical component of a step

• A platform at the top of the stairs or a resting place between one or more flights

• A rail positioned at waist height to provide support and guarding to the stair

• The shape of a small moulding used on the underside of a nosing

What is the purpose of a storey rod traditionally used in stair construction?

• To provide guarding to the open side of the stairs and landing areas

• To mark the position of the landings on site

• To reinforce the joint between the tread and the riser

• To provide support to the flight

What is the function of a string capping in a staircase?

• To increase the thickness of the string to allow balusters to be fixed

• To provide guarding to the open side of the stairs and landing areas

• To cover the joint between two parts of the structure

• To provide support to the handrail

What is the definition of a winder in a staircase?

• The gap between two strings on a turning stair

• The horizontal surface of a step

• A set of steps running from floor to floor

• The first of the two or three winders encountered in a quarter turn

What is the purpose of a bulkhead in a staircase?

• To provide guarding to the open side of the stairs and landing areas

• To cover the joint between two parts of the structure

• To mark the position of the landings on site

• To measure the headroom above the staircase

What is the function of a handrail in a staircase?

• To cover the joint between two parts of the structure

• To provide support and guarding to the stair

• To increase the thickness of the string to allow balusters to be fixed

• To provide guarding to the open side of the stairs and landing areas

What is the definition of a flight in a staircase?

• The vertical distance between the step and the bulkhead above

• A platform at the top of the stairs or a resting place between one or more flights

• A set of steps running from floor to floor

• The distance between the top of the string and the intersection of the tread and riser face