Dog-Legged Staircases: Design, Benefits, and Practical Applications

What Is Staircase?

A staircase is a set of steps that lead from one floor to another. It is provided to allow the means of ascending and descending between the various floors of the building. The room or enclosure of the building, in which the staircase is located, is known as a staircase. The opening or space occupied by the stairs is known as the staircase.

In a domestic building, the stairs must be centrally located to facilitate access to all rooms. In public buildings, the stairs must be located close to the entrance.

Stairs can be built with wood, bricks, stone, steel or reinforced concrete. Stairs provide access and communication between floors of multi-story buildings and are a pathway through which fire can spread from floor to floor.

Therefore, the staircase must be surrounded by walls, floors, roof, and fire-resistant doors. It is desirable that the wall and ceiling coverings are non-combustible and with the low flame spread. Another important aspect in the design of stairs is the aspect of strength. It must be designed to carry certain loads, similar to those used for floor design.

What Is Dog-Legged Staircase?

The dog-legged staircase is one of the simplest forms of stairs in which a flight of stairs goes up to a half step before turning 180 degrees and continuing upwards. It is also called Dog Legged Staircase, because of its appearance in sectional elevation.

It is a very common and popular type of staircase and is used in public and residential buildings. It consists of two flights that run in opposite directions, separated by a landing in the middle space or a quarter in space and a set of rollers.

The dog-legged stair is so named because the slope of the staircase is similar to the dog’s leg. When the available space is equal to twice the width of the stairs, the dog-legged staircase is used. From the design point of view, the advantage of this staircase lies in its compact layout and better circulation.

Therefore, it finds application in almost all types of buildings, whether residential, commercial or institutional. It is common to find sketching such a staircase in architectural projects. But such a simple staircase does not result in a smooth handrail, which is one of the essential components of any staircase.

Handrails are provided to provide assistance and protection and must be fixed at a convenient height from ground level. They must be of satisfactory size and shape to allow them to be easily grasped by the hand.

Details of Dog-Legged Staircase

The stairs provide access to several floors of the building. The staircase consists of a series of steps (flights) with landings at appropriate intervals. The stairs are made up of individual steps. Each step consists of a tread and a riser. The floor is the flat part you step on. The riser is the vertical part (up and down) between each step of the stair. step and riser

Dog-Legged Staircase is the most economical staircase. These stairs are arranged with two adjacent flights, parallel to an average landing. Where space is less, a dog-legged staircase is usually provided, resulting in economical use of the available space. In this type of staircase, the landing is provided according to the level at which the direction of the flight changes.

Requirements for Good Stairs

Any well-planned stairs must meet the following criteria for an easy, fast, and safe ascent/descent.

1. Location: must be located in order to obtain sufficient lighting and ventilation, with easy access from all rooms.
2. Length of flight: a flight should have no less than three risers and no more than 16 risers.
3. Pitch of stairs: the stairs are inclined (stair angle) from 15 to 55 degrees; however, the recommended angle is between 25 to 40 degrees. Long stride should be flattened using landings.
4. Landing: in any case, the width of the landing must not be less than the width of the flight of stairs.
5. Step Proportions: the rise/rise of each stage on a flight and on flights and landings between floors must be the same. Any variations can ruin the pace. The climb/climb is provided to ensure comfortable access.

Dog-Legged Staircase (Half Turn and Quarter Turn)

This type of staircase consists of two flights parallel to each other. The flights of stairs run in opposite directions and have little or no space between their balustrades. Sometimes the two flights of stairs can be on the adjacent walls, forming a quarter-turn staircase.

Advantages of Dog-Legged Staircase

1. Efficient use of space: This type of staircase covers much less area than straight They allow for a more compact stair arrangement.
2. Privacy: These stairs are great if you want to separate one floor from another for any reason. As the top floor cannot be seen and vice versa, these stairs offer ample privacy to users.

Disadvantages of Dog-Legged Staircase

1. Difficult to build: These stairs are not very easy to build.
2. Handrails on these stairs also need careful planning.

Example: Dog-Legged Staircase Design

Designing a Dog-legged staircase for a residential building, where the space provided is 2.5mx 4.5m and the floor to floor height is 3.3m

Solution:

Generally, for residential buildings, we adopt Rise and the pitch of each step is 150 mm and 225 mm.

Stairway dimensions

1 = 2.5m x 4.5m

Floor height = 3.3m

Total number of flights = 2.

So, flight height = 3.3 / 2 = 1.65m

Elevation = 150mm, Floor = 225mm

No. of risers = 1650/150 = 11

Therefore, number of steps = 11-1 = 10

Adopting stair width = 1.2m

For 10 steps, the required length = 10 x0.0225 = 2.25m

Landing width = (4.5-2.25)/2 = 1.125m

FAQ: Dog-Legged Staircases

What Is a Dog-Legged Staircase?

A dog-legged staircase is a type of staircase where two flights of stairs are connected by a landing or quarter-turn. The flights run in opposite directions, creating a 180-degree turn. This design is popular due to its efficient use of space and compact layout.

What Are the Key Advantages of a Dog-Legged Staircase?

1. Efficient Use of Space: It requires less horizontal space compared to straight staircases, making it ideal for areas with limited space.
2. Privacy: The design offers increased privacy by separating different floors from view.
3. Compact Design: It allows for a more compact stair arrangement without compromising functionality.

What Are the Common Disadvantages of a Dog-Legged Staircase?

1. Complex Construction: Building a dog-legged staircase can be more challenging than other types due to its design complexity.
2. Handrail Planning: The design necessitates careful planning for handrails to ensure safety and comfort.

How Should a Dog-Legged Staircase Be Designed for Residential Buildings?

For a residential building, the design should consider the floor-to-floor height and available space. For example, in a 2.5m x 4.5m space with a floor height of 3.3m, the staircase might have a rise of 150mm and a tread of 225mm, with 10 steps and appropriate landing space.

What Are the Requirements for Good Stairs in General?

1. Location: Stairs should be well-lit, ventilated, and accessible from all rooms.
2. Flight Length: A flight should have between 3 and 16 risers.
3. Pitch of Stairs: The angle of inclination should be between 25 and 40 degrees for optimal comfort.
4. Landing: The width of the landing should match or exceed the width of the stair flight.
5. Step Proportions: The rise and tread of each step should be consistent to ensure comfortable use.

How Does a Dog-Legged Staircase Compare to Other Types of Staircases?

Dog-legged staircases are more space-efficient than straight staircases and can be more private due to their design. However, they may be more difficult to construct and require careful planning for handrails compared to simpler designs like straight or spiral staircases.

Can a Dog-Legged Staircase Be Used in Commercial Buildings?

Yes, dog-legged staircases can be used in both residential and commercial buildings. Their compact design makes them suitable for various types of buildings where space efficiency is important.

What Materials Are Commonly Used for Building Dog-Legged Staircases?

Dog-legged staircases can be constructed from a variety of materials, including wood, steel, reinforced concrete, and stone. The choice of material often depends on the building’s design, functionality, and aesthetic requirements.