OpenBuildings™ Station Designer Help

Place Stair

Used to place a stair assembly.
Note: Placement is completed using the controls found on the Placement ribbon tab and the Property Panel which is loaded with the active Building element catalog items and properties.
Accessed from:


  • Ribbon: Building Design > Architectural > Place Architectural Elements > Stair
  • Ribbon: Building Design > Structural > Place Building Elements > Stair

Placement tab

Contains stair configuration and alignment options used to control the physical placement, orientation and type of stair.



Note: The Placement tab opens on the ribbon when placing Building elements. The Placement tab contains settings specific to the Building element being placed that are used to define the position, orientation or dimensions of the Building element being placed. Also available on the Placement tab, are a collection of Building common tools selected specifically because of their relevance to the Building element being placed.
SettingDescription
Stair Alignment Sets the controlling anchor point for the stair.


Top Left

Top Center

Top Right


Middle Left

Middle Center

Middle Right


Bottom Left

Bottom Center

Bottom Right
Stair Terminology
  • Base is the bottom of the stairs with direction of travel going up
  • Top is the top of the flight of the stairs with direction of travel down.
  • Center is a stair alignment that uses the walk line for placement
Examples


Left Base alignment


Left Top alignment


Center Landing alignment
  • Landing is an intermediate platform; the first segment defining the starting (base) stair flight, with direction of travel down from the landing, and the second segment defining the ending (top) stair flight with direction of travel up from the landing.
Tip: Left/Right alignments help with placing stairs along walls.
Stair Configurations bbd provides predefined set of stair configurations including common industry standard stair configurations. Dynamic placement allows you to define unique stair configurations through precise placement of stair and landing segments. The Preview on the placement dialog displays the actively selected configuration.
Note: Winder stairs are designed to adhere to the International Building Code, which follows 2 main requirements for most stair types:
  1. The walk line is the same length as the standard treads on the entire stair (measured 12" from the edge in International Building Code). While the code allows for 3/8" tolerance, that's usually a field construction tolerance, not a drawing/modeling tolerance.
  2. The small side of the winder tread meets a minimum dimension (6" in International Building Code)
Note: Spiral stairs are designed with an uniform curved walk line keeping the minimum tread depth on the inner curve. The tread depth and riser height on the line of travel are maintained.


Straight Stair Constructs a floor to floor straight run of stairs with two data points (start point and direction).


The start point defines the flight origin (1), and the direction point (2) along with the mouse movements determines the direction of the run.
Straight Stair with Two Runs Constructs a straight run of stairs with an intermediate landing with two data points (start point, and landing point).


The start point defines the flight origin (1), and the landing point (2) determines the landing position and the direction of the run. This is done by moving the mouse over the stairs to manipulate tread distribution in the runs.
Quarter Turn Stair Constructs a floor to floor quarter turn stair with three data points (start point, direction 1st run, and direction 2nd run).


The start point defines the flight origin (1). The direction 1st run point defines the landing location; as you move the pointer, distributes the treads in the first stair flight (2). The direction 2nd run determines the angle of the remaining stairs (3).

Note: For stairs with an even numbers of risers, the start and end segments have an equal distribution of risers, whereas a stair with an odd number of risers, the starting segment has an additional riser compared to the ending stair run.
Tip: You can lock into a desired angle with AccuDraw. In the quarter turn the cursor movement can orient the segment in 180° in the X–Y plane. The landing depth is typically set to the stair width (W), plus one tread (T). However, it can be modified (increased) using the Heads Up Display dimension editor.
Half Turn Stair Places a floor to floor half turn stair with three data points (start point, 1st landing point, 2nd landing point).


The start point defines the flight origin (1). The 1st landing point locates the landing and distributes the treads accordingly in each segment (2). Moving the mouse away from the origin, when defining the 2nd landing point flips the segment in either direction (3). This orientation determines the direction of travel of the legs of the stairs in clockwise or counterclockwise directions, and determines the landing width.

Note: The half turn stair configuration resembles the quarter turn, except the 2nd landing point controls the landing width keeping the segment orientation unaltered.
Tip: The default distance between two segments is set equal to the tread depth (T). Extending the cursor beyond 2W+T stretches the landing width.
Two Quarter Turn Stair Places a floor to floor two quarter turn stair with two landings with five data points (start point, 1st landing point, direction 1, 2nd landing point, and direction 2).


The start point defines the flight origin (1). The 1st landing point determines the location of the first landing and tread distribution in the first stair run (2). The direction 1 point determines the rotation of the remaining stair flights in a 180° range (3). The 2nd landing point determines the location of the second landing and tread distribution in the second stair run (4). The direction 2 point determines the rotation of the remaining stair flight in a 180° range (5).
Three Quarter Turn Stair Places a floor to floor three quarter turn stair with two landings with seven data points (start point, 1st landing point, direction 1, 2nd landing point, direction 2, 3rd landing point, direction 3).


The start point defines the flight origin (1). The 1st landing point determines the location of the first landing and tread distribution in the first stair run (2). The direction 1 point determines the rotation of the remaining stair flights in a 180° range (3). The 2nd landing point determines the location of the second landing and tread distribution in the second stair run (4). The direction 2 point determines the rotation of the remaining stair flights in a 180° range (5). The 3rd landing point determines the location of the third landing and tread distribution in the second stair run (6). The direction 1 point determines the rotation of the remaining stair flights in a 180° range (7).
Quarter Turn Winder Stair Places a quarter turn winder stair assembly with three data points (start point, flight 1 end, and direction).


The start point defines the flight origin (1). The flight 1 end point determines tread distribution on the first stair run as well as its direction (2). The direction point determines the angle of the second stair run (3).
Half Turn Winder Stair Places a half turn winder stair assembly with three data points (start point, flight 1 end, and direction)

The start point defines the flight origin (1). The flight 1 end point determines tread distribution on the first stair run as well as its direction (2). The direction point determines the angle of the second stair run (3).
Two Quarter Turn Winder Stair Places a two quarter turn winder stair assembly with four data points (start point, flight 1 end, flight 2 end, and direction)

The start point defines the flight origin (1). The flight 1 end point determines tread distribution on the first stair run as well as its direction (2). The flight 2 end point determines tread distribution on the second stair run (3). The direction point determines the angle of the second stair run (4).
Spiral Stair Places a spiral stair assembly with two data points (start point and direction).

The start point defines the flight origin (1). The direction point determines the overall angle of the spiral stair (2).
Height By Sets the method for defining the height of a flight of stairs to one of the two options;
  • Height (Fixed) – Defines absolute height for a single flight of the stair assembly.
  • Floor Constrained – Uses the floor definitions to determine the height of the stair. The floor to floor distance of the currently active floor is taken as stair height.
    Tip: For Floor Constrained height method you must first select an activate floor in floor selector.
Offsets
  • Top Offset - Sets an additional distance from the ceiling. This is applicable to stairs with top alignment.

    For fixed height stairs, Top Offset is applicable to stairs with Top alignment.

  • Base Offset - Sets the distance from the floor to the stair base point. This is applicable to stairs with base or landing alignment.
Note: For Fixed Height stairs, depending upon the stair alignment, one of the above "Offset" options could be set. Whereas, for height by Floor Constraints stairs, both "Offset" properties are enabled. For example, for an active floor height of 15', setting the top offset to 2', and base offset to 1', results in a stair height of 16' (i.e. 15+2-1).

Stair Properties



SettingDescription
Catalog Type Selector Used to select from available Catalog Types. Selections made here updates the Catalog Item Selector combo box.
Catalog Item Selector Used to select from available Catalog Items. The Catalog Item Selector combo box contains several options and settings designed to make it easier to find the exact catalog item you need to place/change.

A generic example of Catalog Item selector options for searching, grouping and navigating

The Catalog Item list also includes user defined assemblies, and RFA catalog items, if any.
  • Search - Used to search for catalog items by name. Results are dynamically updated in the catalog items list. The searched text is also highlighted in the results.
  • Group By: - Used to list catalog items in groups based on values assigned to specific catalog item properties. Groups can be collapsed and expanded by clicking the down/up arrows on the group name headers. For instance, selecting Group By: > Type for a wall catalog type creates groupings with Schematic, Partition, WallComponent, etc headings. Catalog items which have Type defined as Schematic, Partition, or WallComponent will be listed under those headings. You can also select Group By: > Do Not Group to create a flat list with no grouping. (Exemption Mechanical).
  • (Large Icons) - Displays a representative icon for each catalog item listing.
  • (List) - Displays catalog item listings without any icons.
  • (Float) - When selected, the Catalog Item Selector combo box is detached from the placement/modify dialog, and becomes a separate dialog. You may prefer to have the floated dialog docked and always open over clicking the Catalog Item Selector in the placement/modify dialog for each catalog item selection.
    Note: The main dialog remains open and refreshes the thumbnail and preview in response to the selected catalog item.
    Click the Dock icon to close the floated dialog.
  • Recently Used - Lists catalog items that were recently selected in a "Group". This is useful because when you need to repeatedly place or modify the same catalog items, you do not need to repeatedly browse or search the main catalog items list.
Note: When you make your catalog item selection, it becomes the active part the Family/Part Toolbar.
Catalog Tools A split button located to the right of the Catalog Item Selector contains tools to assist with managing catalog data prior to placement of selected catalog items.
  • ( Match Element Properties) - Sets the current active placement/modify dialog settings to match the parameters of an existing, selected catalog item instance in the model. This saves a good amount of time when placing catalog items that need to identically match those that already exist.
    Note: The existing catalog item instance must be of the same catalog type selected with the Catalog Item Selector for the parameters to be matched.
  • (Reset to Defaults) - Resets the selected catalog item property values to the default state as defined in the catalog library.
  • (Edit Catalog Item) - Used to edit the selected catalog item. Opens the Catalog Editor, where you can create and edit new catalog types and catalog items. Catalog Editor can also be used to edit existing data and to view catalog item instance properties and values by definition.
  • (Catalog Item Manager) - Used to manage catalog items library into organizational dataset. Opens the Catalog Item Manager, where you can copy or move catalog items into the dataset, and promoting current catalog items by moving then across workset levels.
  • (Save Catalog Item) - Updates the active catalog item in the DataGroup System catalog library with the values currently shown in the Properties list box permanently changing the defaults for the catalog item.
  • (Save Catalog Item As...) - Used to save a copy of the selected catalog item as another catalog item (the default name adds the prefix " Copy of " <current catalog items name>). Opens the Save As dialog where catalog item definitions can be named before saving them to the DataGroup System.
  • (Load Stair Settings) - Opens the Stair Construction Settings which is used to set the shape, size, placement, and appearance of all elements and components that are contained in the railing assembly.
Note: The Save Catalog Item and Save Catalog Item As... tools perform administrative tasks on DataGroup System catalogs. Administrators and users may want to hide the tool icons to avoid incidental or unwanted changes to their firm's dataset by setting the user configuration variables BB_CATALOGITEM_ADMIN_IN_PLACECMDS and BB_CATALOGITEM_SAVEAS_IN_PLACECMDS to "0", respectively.
Preview Displays the selected catalog item in the preview window. This display changes and the preview updates as various options are chosen. The preview also changes dynamically with some of the prominent settings on the Placement tab, e.g Height, Rotation angle, etc. A right-click in the Preview opens a Show/Hide Viewing Tools option menu:
  • Zoom In - Zooms in about center of preview.
  • Zoom Out - Zooms out about center of preview.
  • Pan - Moves the preview following the pointer. Click again to stop panning.
  • Fit - Fits the object to the extents of the preview.
  • Rotation - Sets the orientation of the selected item in the preview to one of the standard orientation options:
    • Isometric
    • Right Isometric
    • Top
    • Bottom
    • Left
    • Right
    • Front
    • Rear
  • Display Mode - Sets the display of the selected item in the preview to one of the standard display modes.
    • Solid
    • Wire Frame
    • Visible Edge
    • Filled Visible Edge
For Place workflow, the Hide/Show Preview controls displaying preview of the element currently selected for placement.
Properties list - toolbar Used to manage catalog item properties during placement or modification. Catalog item properties define the catalog item instance in the model, and are accountable in the DataGroup System data management tools. You can place a catalog item with its default property values or you can change property values as needed, place an instance in the model, and optionally save the changes to the catalog.

The Properties combo box contains tools for sorting and searching the properties list:

  • (Categorize) - When on, catalog item properties are grouped in categories based on the catalog type definitions. When off, the properties are listed alphabetically without grouping.
  • (Alphabetical) - When on, catalog item properties are listed alphabetically without grouping. When off, the properties are listed in categories.
  • (Description) - Toggles a description field at the bottom of the placement dialog listing information about the highlighted catalog item property. The information listed includes the property definition display name, internal name, and type definition.
  • Search - Used to search for catalog item properties by name. Results are dynamically updated in the properties list.
Stair Dimensions
  • Stair Height - Sets the height of the stair assembly. This is the same value set through the Stair Construction Settings dialog for the fixed height option. For floor constrained height, it displays the height of the stair assembly. In this case the floor definition controls the actual height. It is set as an absolute height relative to the active floor.

    The stair height property is used to quickly alter the height of the stairs in a model should the design change. When a change in the stair height is applied, the stair assembly adjusts the number of treads in the last flight. Rather, it restricts the height by keeping at least two treads in the last flight. When reducing the height of a multi-run stair, the landing in the last flight needs to be manipulated to keep it safe within the desired height.

  • Stair Actual Slope - Displays the actual height of a riser arrived from the stair calculation. It is highly dependent on the Riser Target Height defined in the Riser tab.
Stair Parameters
  • Stair Width - Sets the width of the stair. This is the value set through the Stair Construction Settings dialog. You can alter the stair width to suite the design by entering a new value here or via the heads-up display.

    The value initializes with the active DataGroup catalog instance definition for width. Manually entered values are not saved to the catalog’s instance definition. A list of the most recently used widths are available through MRU to save previous entries.

  • Stair Part Definition - Sets the non-monolithic stair family and part definition pair through the popped up pull down menus.


    Family and part assignment can be done for straight/slanted panels as well as for planar and parametric profile risers. The value set through the Part option overrides the native definitions of the family part, if any in the profile.
  • Fire Exit - When on, applies the Fire Exit property.
  • Place of Refuge - When on, classifies the stair to be used as place of refuge or as a shelter.
Stair Spiral Settings appear for Spiral Stair placement:
  • Inner Radius - Sets the inner radius for the spiral stair flight. A positive angle value > 0º.
  • Sweep Angle - Sets the sweep angle to spiral curve. The sweep angle value should be > 5º and < -5º.
Identification Lists identification properties for the active catalog item type.
Thermal Transmittance Lists the thermal properties to apply to the active catalog item.
Accessibility Provides Accessibility | Handicap Accessible and Has Non-Skid Surface properties that can be applied to the stair.
Construction Phase Lists design and construction phase properties for walls such as New Construction, Future Construction, and Items to be Moved.
IFC Override Lists IFC properties not automatically mapped to DataGroup System properties that can be manipulated for export.
Classification Building Classification Systems are supported by the DataGroup System. MasterFormat, OmniClass, and UniFormat property values can be associated with any Building element. Click the Value cell to open the Classification System selection combo box. The combo box is populated with selected classification system property values. It can be resized by clicking on the combo box's bottom right corner. Search for properties by name. Search results are displayed in the classifications hierarchy. Double click a property to select it. This action also closes the selection menu. The selected property displays in the selected classification system property value (on the Properties list).


Key-in: Tfplace stair
Stair Construction Settings
Constraints
To place a stair
Parent topic: Stairs and Railings