Analyzing the factors that affect the quality of staircases: a case study of universities in the central region, Uganda

Abstract

Staircases are the most common means of vertical access in low and medium rise storeyed buildings in Uganda. Their purpose is to provide safe means of movement from floor to floor. Reduction of accidents would be one of the functional requirements of stairs which is part and parcel of safety. However, the high accident rates are an indication of poorly designed and constructed stairs. With such problems on staircases, this study sought to investigate the factors that affect their quality in storeyed buildings in Ugandan universities specifically in the central region in a bid to minimize the occurrence accidents. Four kinds of surveys including observational, design and construction, technical and staircase user surveys were conducted in the study. The observational survey done using a check list revealed that the key features for quality vertitical access were; tactile ground indicators, balustrades, handrails, risers, treads, stair flights, newel posts, nosings, landings and presence of ramps in buildings. The design and construction survey which was done using self-admistered questionnaires involving 22 respondents revealed that the major factors that affect the quality of staircases were: design proficiency, construction competences, design review and other project factors. The technical survey conducted using a technical tool revealed that 66% of the stairs did not conform to the design and construction requirements due to riser heights, tread depths, slope relationship (2Rise + Going), stair slopes, handrail heights, handrail extensions and depth of nosing contrasts not conforming to the standards. The staircase user survey carried out using self-admistered questionnaires involving 212 respondents revealed that 26.3% of the users were injured while using the staircases due to missed steps, slippery surfaces, inadequate lighting in the stairwell, unevenness in the risers and treads and broken edges of steps. It was therefore concluded that to minimize the occurrence of accidents on staircases, proper design, construction and supervision need to be done in accordance with the standards short of which will lead to accidents. Key words: Staircase, quality, accidents, design, construction, supervision, user