Basic Stair Layout Exam

The most important concern in the design of any stairway is ____.

• safety

• choice of materials

• appearance

• material and labor cost

The basic parts of a stairway are risers, treads, and ____.

• balustrades

• center-cut stringers

• stair framing

• handrails

Which of the stairways is classified as a narrow-U stairway?

• A

• B

• C

• D

The International Residential Code specifies a minimum stair tread depth of ____.

• 9 inches

• 10 inches

• 11 inches

• 12 inches

Which type of stringer is typically used for stairways with open riser designs?

• housed

• cutout

• dadoed

• built-up

All of the following are parts of a balustrade except ____.

• a baluster

• a newel post

• nosing

• a handrail

On a 36"-wide wood stairway, a center cutout stringer is required if ____.

• the tread material is thinner than 1 1/2"

• the riser heights exceed 7"

• the tread material is thinner than 2"

• the riser heights are less than 7"

The minimum and maximum tread depths of a stairway should not differ by more than ____.

• 3/8"

• 1/2"

• 5/8"

• 3/4"

For user safety, the IRC specifies that the greatest riser height should not exceed the smallest riser height by more than ____.

• 1 inch

• 5/8 inch

• 3/8 inch

• 1/4 inch

If stairway drawings are incomplete or in conflict with the building code, the carpenter should ____.

• follow the building code

• work out a solution

• check the specifications

• notify a supervisor