The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

According to Architectural Graphic Standards, Tenth Edition, stairways “...are the site of accidents resulting in approximately 4,000 deaths and one million injuries requiring hospital treatment annually in the United States.” No wonder, then, that several mathematical formulas have been developed to help minimize stairway tripping hazards. Most notably, these formulas regulate the ratio of the height of the riser to the depth of the tread for the contiguous steps of any given stairway. In addition, various other restrictions are imposed... all with the aim of assuring safe and comfortable stairways.

Now then, when an exterior stairway spills out onto a sidewalk with an appreciable slope, it is not possible (without the use of the techniques which this new Method teaches) to obtain a uniform ratio of riser-to-tread, thereby possibly introducing a serious tripping hazard. In any stairway it is most important for that ratio to be consistent. The mind of the pedestrian using a stairway is very quick to implant a biomechanical rhythm, and to predict just how high the next step will be. To encounter even a slight difference can result in tripping.

This new method will show how to design minor modifications to the normal geometry of the individual steps of stairways that interface with sloping surfaces.

The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 15 questions at the end of this course to earn PDH credit.

State Board Acceptance

This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In all other states that mandate continuing education for engineers, it is the individual engineer's responsibility to determine the suitability of activities for PDH credit. The state boards typically accept online* courses that cover technical, managerial** or ethical content and which are relevant to the practice of engineering. The course must have a clear purpose or objective with a content that will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of the licensee's field of practice. For questions about your mandatory PDH requirements, visit the website of your state licensing board.

*Online courses are accepted by all state licensing boards that mandate continuing education. Other than New York (which limits online courses to 18 PDH) and Iowa (which limits online courses to 6 PDH), there are no limits placed by other states on the number of hours that can be earned through online continuing education. Consult with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the acceptability of online courses.

**The New York State Board of Engineers does not accept general office management courses, but will accept project management courses that are offered by an approved provider and that are technical in nature and contribute to the engineer's professional practice.

Please Note: Continuing Education credits for this course are awarded as PDH (Professional Development Hour Credits).