Staircase - height and story

STAIRCASE, a term applied to the whole set of stairs, with the walls supporting the steps, leading from one story to another. The same staircase frequently conducts to the top of the building, and thus consists of as many stories as the building itself.

When the height of the story is considerable, resting-places become necessary, which go under the name of quarter-paces . and half-paces, according as the passenger has to pass a right angle, or two right angles; that is, as he has to describe a quadrant or a semicircle. In very high stories that admit of sufficient head room, and where the space allowed for the staircase is confined, the staircase may have two revolutions in the height of one story, which will lessen the height of the steps; but in grand staircases only one revolution can be admitted, the length and breadth of the space on the plan being always proportioned to the height of the building, so as to admit of fixed proportions.

In contriving a grand edifice, particular attention must be paid to the situation of the space occupied by the stairs, so as to give them the most easy command of the rooms.

With regard to the lighting

of a grand staircase, a skylight, or rather lantern, is the most appropriate; for the light, thus admitted, is powerful, and the design admits of greater ele gance; indeed, where the staircase does not adjoin the exterior walls, this is the only method by which light can be admitted.

In small buildings, the position of the staircase is indicated by the general distribution of the plan ; but in larger edi fices, this is not so obvious, but must at last be determined by considering maturely its connection with the other apartments.