Staircase Design Tools (NBC 2016 + IS 875 + IS 456)

Important

This tool is for educational / preliminary sizing and code-check guidance only. Always verify with the latest official standards and your local bye-laws, and get drawings checked by a licensed architect / structural engineer.
We intentionally include only a small subset of commonly-used numeric requirements and loads (to avoid reproducing copyrighted tables).

Tip: Change Floor height, switch Auto/Manual modes, or edit tread/riser to instantly see the results update.

Inputs

Occupancy (for minimum stair width)

NBC 2016 Part 3: stair width, tread, riser, headroom, max 12 risers/flight.

Floor-to-floor height H (mm)

Provided stair clear width (mm)

Riser selection

Mode

Target riser (mm) (auto mode)

We will still respect the NBC max riser for your occupancy.

No. of risers (manual mode)

Tread selection

Mode

Tread (going) without nosing (mm)

Show comfort check (2_R + T rule-of-thumb)

Comfort checks are not NBC requirements; they’re an ergonomic guideline.

Flights

No. of flights

Provided headroom (mm) (optional)

Results

Inputs

Occupancy (for egress stair checks)

NBC 2016 Part 4 applies to required exits and egress design.

Stair clear width (mm)

Tread without nosing (mm)

Riser (mm)

Risers per flight

Handrail checks

Provided handrails

Handrail projection into width (mm)

Exit doorway (optional quick check)

Exit doorway clear width (mm)

Exit doorway height (mm)

Results

Inputs

Live load preset (UDL on plan area)

Imposed load UDL (kN/m²)

Concentrated load (kN) (optional)

Horizontal load on handrails / balustrades (IS 875-2)

Usage

Horizontal load (kN/m run)

Results

Inputs (preliminary)

Model: simply supported waist slab for one flight, designed per 1 m width.

Geometry

Riser (mm)

Tread (mm)

Risers in designed flight

Section & materials

Waist slab thickness t (mm)

Nominal cover (mm)

Concrete grade fck (MPa)

Steel grade fy (MPa)

Main bar dia (mm)

Distribution bar dia (mm)

Loads (on plan area unless noted)

Finishes (kN/m²)

Live load (kN/m²)

Concrete unit weight (kN/m³)

Support

Effective span L (m)

Manual span L (m)

Results

References

NBC 2016 Part 3: Development Control Rules & General Building Requirements for Stairs and Exits (Clause 12.18)
NBC 2016 Part 4: Fire & Life Safety Regulations for Stairs and Exits (Clause 4.4.2.4)
IS 875 (Part 2) 1987: Imposed Loads for Structural Design (Table 1 and 3 for stair design loads)
IS 456:2000: Code of Practice for Plain and Reinforced Concrete (Limit State Design method)

About this tool

NBC 2016 Part 3: minimum stair widths by occupancy, tread & riser limits, headroom, max risers per flight.
NBC 2016 Part 4: exit stair tread/riser, handrail side requirement at 1.5 m width threshold, handrail projection limit, basic exit doorway minimum sizes.
IS 875 (Part 2): a few standard imposed loads relevant to stair design + horizontal loads on balustrades.
IS 456 (2000): a preliminary RCC waist-slab flexure design for a simply supported flight (per meter width).

Embedding (iframe)

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