You should have finished Study Session 1 and Quick Quiz 1 before starting this Study Session. This Study Session deals with porches, decks, and balconies, and their steps, railings, and columns.
The estimated completion time is 60 minutes.
Objectives
At the end of this Study Session, you should be able to:
At the end of this Study Session, you should be able to:
- Compare step rise, run, and tread depth (width) to the common standard.
- List seven common problems with steps and landings.
- Identify spalling and its causes.
- List six causes of springy, loose, or sagging steps.
- State the height above ground at which railings are needed.
- Describe in one sentence why the shape of a handrail grasp is important.
- Compare a railing's height to the common standard.
- List eight causes of shifted columns.
Question 1
Describe spalling.Selected Answer: Spalling refers to the crumbling or flaking of the surface of the material.Correct Answer: 
Spalling is the crumbling, flaking, chipping or shaling of the surface of the masonry.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 2
Explain how not providing a landing may be a safety hazard.Selected Answer: Without landing, someone came up to the steps may be knocked off by person opening the door from inside.Correct Answer: An outward opening door can knock someone off the stairs.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 3
List eight possible causes of column shifting.Selected Answer: 1. Inappropriate foundations and footings2. Soil erosion3. Frost heave4. Mechanical damage (vehicle impact)5. Greater loads than were intended6. Eccentric loads (off center)7. Deterioration of the column or its connection points8. Columns poorly secured at their top or bottomCorrect Answer: Inappropriate foundations and footings Soil erosion Frost heave Mechanical damage Greater loads than were intended Eccentric loads Deterioration of the column or its connection points Poorly secured at the top or bottomResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 4
List four reasons that a railing may be loose.Selected Answer: 1. Rotted wood2. Rusted metal3. Improper fasteners or corroded fasteners4. An original design of installation with inadequate strengthCorrect Answer: Rotted wood Rusted metal Improper fasteners or corroded fasteners Original design or installation with inadequate strengthResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 5
List three possible causes of spalling.Selected Answer: 1. De-icing salts2. Poor quality concrete or masonry3. Water accumulation and freezing in the masonry or concreteCorrect Answer: De-icing salts Poor quality concrete or masonry Water accumulation and freezing in the concrete or masonryResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 6
List two causes of wood/soil contact.Selected Answer: 1. Poor initial construction2. Landscaping revisions around the steps or landingCorrect Answer: Poor initial construction Landscaping changes around the steps or landing.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 7
List two reasons for incorrect handrail or guardrail height. (MISSING ANSWER)Selected Answer: 1. Construction issue2. People getting tallerCorrect Answer: Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 8
What can happen to concrete if a metal railing embedded in it rusts? (MISSING ANSWER)Selected Answer: The rusting metal rail expands and may crack the concrete.Correct Answer: Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 9
What is the best way to check for rot in a wooden stair stringer?Selected Answer: Use an awl or screwdriver to probe wood in vulnerable areasCorrect Answer: Probe the wood with an awl or screwdriver.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 10
What shape should the top of a handrail be? (MISSING ANSWER)Selected Answer: Easy for people to grab onCorrect Answer: Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 11
Why can carpet on wood be bad?Selected Answer: Carpet on wood prevents close inspection and may hold water against the wood. It is a RED flag situation.Correct Answer: It prevents close inspection, and holds water against the wood, causing rot.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 12
Why should all the rises in a set of steps be uniform?Selected Answer: This can be a trip hazard and it most serious if it's the top step.Correct Answer: Uneven risers are a trip hazard.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 13
Why should spindles be vertical, not horizontal?Selected Answer: Children could easily climb on and is a safety hazard.Correct Answer: Horizontal spindles are climbable.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 14
A staircase can be _____ inches wide before more than one stair rail is needed. (Insert a number.)Selected Answer: 44Correct Answer: Evaluation Method Correct Answer Case Sensitivity Exact Match44 Response Feedback: Good work!!Question 15
Guardrails are typically required on porches, decks, or balconies more than _____ or _____ inches above grade. (Insert your numbers separated by a comma.)Selected Answer: 24,30Correct Answer: Evaluation Method Correct Answer Case Sensitivity Exact Match24, 30 Exact Match24,30 Response Feedback: Good work!!Question 16
Guardrails should be at least _____ inches high, or _____ inches high if the deck is less than six feet above the ground.Selected Answer: 42,36Correct Answer: Evaluation Method Correct Answer Case Sensitivity Exact Match42, 36 Exact Match42,36 Response Feedback: Good work!!Question 17
If unsupported, stringers and treads should be a minimum of _____ to _____ inches thick. (Insert your numbers separated by a comma.)Selected Answer: 
1,1.5Correct Answer: Evaluation Method Correct Answer Case Sensitivity Exact Match1, 1/2 Exact Match1,1/2 Exact Match1, 0.5 Exact Match1,0.5 Response Feedback: That's incorrect.Question 18
In many areas, the openings between railing spindles must not be greater than _____ to _____ inches. (Insert your numbers separated by a comma.)Selected Answer: 4,6Correct Answer: Evaluation Method Correct Answer Case Sensitivity Exact Match4, 6 Exact Match4,6 Response Feedback: Good work!!Question 19
Minimum dimensions for landings are often stated as _____ feet by _____ feet. (Insert your numbers separated by a comma.)Selected Answer: 3,3Correct Answer: Evaluation Method Correct Answer Case Sensitivity Exact Match3, 3 Exact Match3,3 Response Feedback: Good work!!Question 20
On stairways, railings should be between _____ inches and _____ inches, or between _____ inches and _____ inches, above the stair nosing. (Insert your numbers separated by a comma.)Selected Answer: 31,36,34,38Correct Answer: Evaluation Method Correct Answer Case Sensitivity Exact Match31, 34, 34, 38 Exact Match31,34,34,38 Response Feedback: That's incorrect.Question 21
Rise is usually _____ inches maximum, and runs are typically _____ to _____ inches minimum. (Insert numbers separated by a comma.)Selected Answer: 8,9,11Correct Answer: Evaluation Method Correct Answer Case Sensitivity Exact Match8, 9, 11 Exact Match8,9,11 Response Feedback: Good work!!Question 22
The top step or landing should be _____ inches from the door sill. (Insert a number.)Selected Answer: 6Correct Answer: Evaluation Method Correct Answer Case Sensitivity Exact Match6 Response Feedback: Good work!!Question 23
The tread depth is usually _____ inch(es) more than the run. (Insert a number.)Selected Answer: 1Correct Answer: Evaluation Method Correct Answer Case Sensitivity Exact Match1 Response Feedback: Good work!!
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