₦airaland Forum

Hello,

I need the help of builders and other experienced persons in the house.

Can a staircase that can stand the test of time ever be built without a starter bar?

Regards,
Tony

How do you intend to do it?how do you intend to connect the coming reinforcement which are suppose to connect with the starter bar in other to form the suppose staircase?am suspecting you might have made a mistake by skipping the starter bar while casting the slab,bro ko le work.

Am not a builder, but someone is building a property for me.
I sent someone else to inspect as to provide me with an independent assurance - and he reported that no provision was made for starter.
When I discuss this with the builder he told me that it wasn't a mistake, and that he doesn't normally use starter bar in his staircases.

Have done academic research and I can see the reinforcement that a starter bar provides so I doubted him. I feel he made a mistake but doesn't
want to accept. This is why am seeking others' opinion - and you are the third person who agrees that he made a mistake.

Enoedem:
Am not a builder, but someone is building a property for me.
I sent someone else to inspect as to provide me with an independent assurance - and he reported that no provision was made for starter.
When I discuss this with the builder he told me that it wasn't a mistake, and that he doesn't normally use starter bar in his staircases.

Have done academic research and I can see the reinforcement that a starter bar provides so I doubted him. I feel he made a mistake but doesn't
want to accept. This is why am seeking others' opinion - and you are the third person who agrees that he made a mistake.

one of the characteristics of a staircase is
Strength and stability ....building isn't rocket science where people just do what they like ,in the design provisions I'm sure a starter bar was required.
A failed staircase can kill the occupants in the house.

His position is that it is not mandatory to "bury it in the ground" for it to be called a starter.

Enoedem:
Hello,

I need the help of builders and other experienced persons in the house.

Can a staircase that can stand the test of time ever be built without a starter bar?

Regards,
Tony

PS: This advice is based on the assumption that your project is a private residential building development.

As a Professional Structural Engineer, I would like to shed some light.
Although the use of starter bars to connect staircases to floors or foundation foots are generally safer especially for public staircases, considering the load distribution on staircases in private homes or residential apartments, starter bars are not mandatory for simply-supported staircases (I.e. Staircases that are not designed to be fixed or hinged at ends).

However for reinforced concrete staircases where starter bars are not used, it is important that the base of the staircase is constructed such that it is large enough to sit properly on the supporting structure beneath it so as to prevent any overturning moment that may occur due to stresses along the stair.

Therefore your builder might be on the right track.

Op, also note that providing pictures might help us better understand or appreciate your complaint.

For free construction advice, never hesitate to whatsapp me on 08167394799.
You can also find time to read a few insightful construction articles on my blog: www.engineerosaz..com
Best of luck on your project!

@Engineerosaz, thanks - yes you are correct - it is a residential premises.
The staircase has not been done yet so I don't have pictures - I decided to raise the concerns now because no provision was made for the starter bar when the german floor was laid.

Maybe what you've said is what he's planning to do - i'd keep my eyes open.

Yes am a civil engineer and I can authoritatively tell you that it's not compulsory to bury staircase starters inside the ground. I have built several houses where I did not have to bury the starter bars