I was told it was building regulations, but why the regulation? The only thing I can think of is if a person fell they would not fall all the way down.
2006-07-14 07:03:48 · 16 answers · asked by bwadsp 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
it is code to only go twelve feet (3658 mm). then you must have a landing. safety is the issue. bldg code 1003.3.3.5.
I am an architect
2006-07-14 07:17:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are two reasons. One is safety and the other is geometry. In the first case, they are know as landings or "rest areas". These are areas where people can stop and take their breadth before going on. In addition, if you have every been on a really long flight of stairs, then you know you can get vertigo. The landings are a large enough level area where you can reorient yourself. In the latter case, landings are used to turn a corner as in a stair-well.
PS: There is an escalator in Washington DC at one of their subway station--I think it is Embassy Row. That is the longest escalator I have ever been on and half way up, I was extremely disoriented. If you fell... forget about it.
2006-07-14 07:06:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think that part of the reason would be to add strength and stability to the structure. One long staircase wouldn't be as structually strong as one with reinforced breaks in it It may also have something to do with preventing the stairs from warping or sagging or completely collapsing from the continual weight and stress that they have to support over the years as well. But then again the fall would be shorter too. Just a guess, lol.
2006-07-14 07:16:30 · answer #3 · answered by jimminycricket 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you think about the two points that are being joined together, ie. the top and bottom of the stairs, If you also allow that there is a standard for the height of each step and length of the tread, then it makes sense that to join the two, you may HAVE to have flat areas to make up the difference or have smaller or larger steps which would be difficult and tiring to climb.
2006-07-14 09:06:15 · answer #4 · answered by charlietooo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the simple reason that it's a safety requirement & offers a place of rest after all that panting, sweating over the long, climb of stairs, lol.
And yeah, I believe you've answered your own question that it avoids a person from tumbling over, should they have a mishap, trip & fall.
2006-07-14 07:12:36 · answer #5 · answered by ViRg() 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the "falling" factor has something to do with it, but I think having a resting area every so often might also be a reason.
2006-07-14 07:08:08 · answer #6 · answered by LSG 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all do; you ought to see some of the long circular staircases in some of the old castles in Britain.
They allow for a place to rest; also allow for reversal of direction, making the "footprint" of the stairwell less in size...
2006-07-14 07:07:10 · answer #7 · answered by gandalf 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Structurally sound.
A certain rise to a prescribed length = best strength
All calculations come from type of material and strength.
Regulations are there so no one cheaps out.
2006-07-14 07:08:35 · answer #8 · answered by beedaduck 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And that's why. Plus if there's a fire leveling the stairs makes it less likely that there will be a fatal stampede. Oh, and also because if you use stair levels, the stairs take up less space.
2006-07-14 07:06:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a transions area for to turn a corner, to rest, to stop you from falling all the way down.
2006-07-14 07:09:07 · answer #10 · answered by Jesse V 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You answered your own question.
The other reason is that buildings have walls so staircases (except spirals) eventually have to stop at a landing and change direction.
2006-07-16 10:26:36 · answer #11 · answered by m.paley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋