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!
