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Stairway risers and treads: acceptable and preferred dimensions
C H Irvine1, S H Snook, J H Sparshatt
1Liberty Mutual Insurance Co, Research Center, Hopkinton, Massachusetts, USA.
Applied Ergonomics
|September 1, 1990
Summary
Researchers studied stairway preferences using psychophysical methods. The ideal riser height is 7.2 inches, and the optimal tread depth is 11-12 inches for maximum comfort and acceptability.
Area of Science:
- Ergonomics
- Human Factors Engineering
- Architectural Science
Background:
- Stairway design significantly impacts user safety and comfort.
- Understanding user preferences for riser height and tread depth is crucial for accessible design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine optimal riser and tread dimensions for stairways based on user preference and acceptability.
- To investigate how factors like age, sex, and stature influence stairway perception.
Main Methods:
- Conducted six psychophysical experiments involving ascent and descent of 19 different stairways.
- Subjects identified acceptable and preferred stairway dimensions.
Main Results:
- The optimum riser height was determined to be 7.2 inches (183 mm).
- The preferred tread (run) depth ranged from 11 to 12 inches (279-300 mm).
- These dimensions were widely accepted across diverse demographics, though shorter individuals preferred smaller dimensions and taller individuals preferred larger ones.
Conclusions:
- Stairway dimensions significantly influence user acceptability and preference.
- The identified optimal dimensions offer a basis for designing safer and more comfortable stairways.
- Extreme dimensions, such as a 4-inch riser, were found to be unacceptable.