Stair Project

Today, I built a set of stairs for a stage they want to use at Amber’s school.  The stage height is 24″, so I scouted around on the Internet to figure out what the ergonomics behind steps are.  Turns out you want a rise of no more than 7-3/4″ for each step, and something over 5″ is recommended.  I choose a 6″ rise, so it would work out to be 3 evenly spaced steps.  The depth of the steps are called the tread, and you want rise + tread to equal 17 to 18″.  I choose 11″ to make that work out.  I had originally planned the steps like the picture to the left, but after a review by my family expert in the field, I learned that letting the steps overhang is not a good idea.  People with prosthetic legs cant move their legs backward and might get tripped up.  The spaces between the steps is a no-no too.  I changed it up a bit and came up with what is pictured below.  I used up almost a whole sheet of 3/4″ plywood.  All I was left with was a few thin scraps, very little waste!  The school district is gaining this sturdy piece of furniture for the cost of the materials, which was only $35.  I couldn’t help comparing this to the $59,000,000 stadium they are in the process of building, which is a continued sore subject with me!

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4 Responses to Stair Project

  1. Tony Warr says:

    This is Texas, the brand new stadium is REQUIRED. They just finished ours last year. Our grandchildren will pay it off.

    • Brian says:

      Interesting to note that FOOTBALL seems to be more important than the education itself. (in Texas)

      • David C says:

        The City of Fort Worth just completed parking garage at the Will Rogers Memorial Center. The 1,110 space parking garage cost $27 million. That’s roughly $25,000 per parking space. It brings parking capacity from 5,300 to 6,400. I think money could have been better spent.

  2. Tony Warr says:

    Oh yeah, nice stairs.

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