split stairway
Stairs whose pathway forks into clearly distinct directions on the way up or down.
A split stairway consists of different flights or sections which come together or fork into significantly different directions along their path. Any number of paths can be joined in such a stairway, and at any number of points. The split may occur at or between floor levels, but if it occurs at a floor level then the divergent path should be considered inseparable from the other pathways in order to be considered part of a split stairway.
The paths may join or separate at several points, and more than two branches are allowed. A single symmetrical fork is only one possible arrangement.
A division at floor level counts only when the divergent path is inseparable from the other stair pathways. Separate stairs reached across an intervening floor are not joined merely by serving that floor.
split stairway Photos
Related definitions
-
alternating stairway
Straight stair flights that reverse direction at each floor level, allowing continuation without a long connecting walk. -
angled stairway
A generally L-shaped stairway with one turn of about 90 degrees between successive floors, using a landing or winders. -
angular helix stairway
A stairway following an angular polygonal path around a central core, shaft, open space, or atrium. -
curved stairway
A stairway following a curved path without completing a circle or helix, including stacked half-circular flights. -
fan stairway
A spreading stairway with angles or bends in individual steps, producing a fan-like or amphitheater-like arrangement. -
hairpin stairway
A stairway whose flights reverse direction by 180 degrees between floors, without a third direction of ascending steps. -
helix stairway
A stairway arranged around a central axis in a circular path, with or without a central post or open shaft. -
interlaced alternating stairway
Two alternating stairways interwoven within one stairwell, with adjacent straight flights rising in opposite directions. -
interlaced angular helix stairway
Two or more angular helical stairways interwoven within the same shaft or vertical space. -
interlaced helix stairway
Two or more helical stairways interwoven around the same axis within one shaft or vertical space. -
meandering stairway
Stairs which turn at or between levels but do not fold back in the same stairwell. -
progressive stairway
Multiple stair flights continuing along one straight route through successive levels without requiring a turn. -
simple stairway
One or more straight stair flights, with successive flights vertically aligned and reached by walking back at each floor. -
u-shaped stairway
A stairway with ascending flights in three directions and two turns between floors, forming a rectangular half-helix.