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stairs

vr.tr.stairs · thing-q12511

Let an agent treat stairs as a building element governed by geometry, safety and accessibility rules, and know when stairs are a barrier that needs an alternative.

Thing Registry Physical world and living systems PHY.BLT
Bundle → Layer → Finding → QuestionsClassifiersWhat it isWhy it existsDistinguishing featuresWhat robots and AI may and may not doMoral aspectsOwnersLinks to other meta-modelsIdentity and identifiersDirect propertiesRecognitionCapabilities and actionsHazards and failure modesStandards and interfacesContext of useSources

Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled

4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions

Geometry Rise, going and pitch.

Steps

Riser and tread dimensions.

Step dimensions

The measured riser and tread sizes.

  1. What are the riser height and tread depth, and are they consistent? measurement
  2. Do they comply with the applicable code? boundary

Layout

Flights, landings and width.

Stair layout

Flights, landings and clear width.

  1. How many flights and landings are there, and how wide is the stair? measurement
  2. Is headroom sufficient along the whole flight? measurement
Safety Guarding and slip resistance.

Handrails and guarding

Rails and balustrades.

Guarding provision

Handrail and guard heights and continuity.

  1. Are handrails and guards present, continuous and at the right height? measurement
  2. Can a child climb or pass through the guarding? boundary

Surface

Slip resistance and visibility.

Surface condition

Nosings, contrast and slip resistance.

  1. Are the treads slip resistant, with visible nosings? measurement
  2. Is lighting adequate? measurement
Access and escape Who can use them and in emergencies.

Accessibility

Alternatives for those who cannot use stairs.

Alternatives provided

Lifts, ramps or evacuation aids.

  1. What alternative exists for people who cannot use these stairs? action
  2. How are they evacuated in an emergency? action

Escape role

Fire protection and capacity.

Escape provision

Whether the stair is an escape route and its protection.

  1. Is this an escape stair, and how is it protected from fire and smoke? definition
  2. Is it kept clear? measurement
Construction and condition What it is made of and its state.

Material

Structure and finishes.

Construction

The structure and finishes.

  1. What is the stair made of, and how is it supported? definition
  2. What load is it designed for? measurement

Condition

Wear and damage.

Condition survey

Wear, damage and repairs needed.

  1. What wear or damage is present? measurement
  2. Who is responsible for repairs? provenance

Classifiers Filled

Family
Thing Registry
Category
Physical world and living systems
Entry kind
thing
Plane
PHY
Domain
PHY.BLT
Other names and narrower kinds
stile, monumental staircase, ladder stile, bicycle stairway, workout stairs, escape ladder, fire escape, Cantilevered stairs, airstair, altar ladder, library ladder, staircase range

What it is Filled

A construction of steps that lets people move on foot between levels, made of treads and risers arranged in one or more flights, with landings and usually handrails.

Why it exists Filled

Let an agent treat stairs as a building element governed by geometry, safety and accessibility rules, and know when stairs are a barrier that needs an alternative.

Distinguishing features Filled

  • Consistent step geometry, which is what makes stairs safe
  • A building element with code requirements, unlike informal steps
  • A barrier to wheelchair users and some others, needing alternatives
  • Escape stairs have extra requirements for fire protection and width

What robots and AI may and may not do Filled

Must not

  • Leave objects on stairs or block escape stairs.
  • Push past or crowd people on stairs, especially those who are unsteady.
  • Carry a person up or down stairs without their consent unless in an emergency.

Only with a human decision

  • Moving a person who cannot use stairs during an evacuation.

May

  • Climb and descend stairs where it is designed and authorized to do so.
  • Inspect stairs and report damage, loose treads or missing handrails.
  • Guide people to an accessible alternative such as a lift or ramp.

Moral aspects Filled

  • Stairs exclude people who cannot climb them; access requires alternatives.
  • Falls on stairs seriously injure older people and children.

Who is affected

  • Older people
  • Disabled people
  • Young children

Owners Filled

Steward

The owner of the building; occupants and managers for upkeep.

Links to other meta-models Filled

parent

  • Q1058733 - registry parent class
  • Q30327093 - registry parent class
  • Q3352369 - registry parent class
  • Q391414 - registry parent class

related

  • building - stairs are a building element
  • lift and ramp - accessibility requires alternatives
  • building code - geometry, guarding and fire rules
  • escalator - an escalator is a moving machine with its own standards

What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled

Identity and identifiers required Filled

  • Vercy registry: vr.tr.stairs
  • Wikidata: Q12511 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12511)

Direct properties required Filled

  • riser height: 150-190 mm - codes set maximum riser heights
  • tread depth: 250-300 mm
  • pitch: 25-42 degrees - steeper than about 42 degrees is usually a ladder or ship stair
  • handrail height: 850-1000 mm

Recognition required Filled

  • Regular treads and risers forming a flight
  • Handrails and balustrades along the sides
  • Stiles and ladders are related but steeper and treated differently by codes
  • A series of horizontal treads rising in equal steps, with risers between them, landings at intervals, and handrails or balustrades along open sides.

Capabilities and actions required Filled

  • climb and descend them, which some people cannot do
  • design and build them, to building code geometry
  • inspect them, for condition and compliance
  • provide an alternative, such as a lift or ramp, where access requires one

Hazards and failure modes required Filled

  • Falls, among the most common causes of injury at home
  • Irregular risers or worn treads that trip people
  • Missing or low handrails and guarding
  • Blocked escape stairs

Standards and interfaces required Filled

  • National building codes on stair geometry and guarding
  • Fire codes on escape stairs
  • Accessibility standards such as ISO 21542

Context of use required Filled

  • Moving people on foot between floors or levels, and providing escape routes in emergencies.
  • by shape: straight, L-shaped, U-shaped, spiral, curved
  • by use: main, service, escape, external, monumental
  • by material: timber, concrete, steel, stone
  • related forms: stiles, ladders, escalators

Sources Filled

  1. Wikidata item Q12511: stairs - identity and sense of the item
  2. Wikipedia: Stairs - general description of the item

Open questions

  • Should escape stairs be a separate entry from stairs in general?
  • How should accessibility alternatives be linked to stairs in a building model?
  • Which geometry rules should the model carry across jurisdictions?

Machine files

Card as JSON Specification Card backlog vercy.card/1

Provenance

thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed

Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q12511/spec.json