H-19 Builds stairs and balustrades

Overview

Task H-19 covers the work specific to stairs and balustrades: laying them out, machining the parts, assembling them and installing them. The RSOS expects cabinetmakers to be able to apply their existing skills to this work, but it treats stair and balustrade building as a specialized skill.

The four sub-tasks follow the life of a staircase: lay out (H-19.01) → machine (H-19.02) → assemble (H-19.03) → install (H-19.04).

Lists that repeat across the sub-tasks

List	Items
Stair styles	straight, winders, spiral, curved
Stair components	treads, risers, posts, stringers, volutes, landings, newel posts, hand rails, balustrades
Balustrade components	hand rails, balusters, newel posts, buttress caps, fillets
Considerations (building stairs)	required headroom, rise and run ratios, spacing of balustrades, building code requirements
Wood properties	strength, shrinkage, warping, species, grain, cut
Stair joinery techniques (H-19.02 to H-19.04)	dowels, mortise and tenon, rabbets, dados, screws, construction adhesives

H-19.01 Lays out stair and balustrade components

What you do

• Select and use layout tools to suit the application.
• Verify stairwell dimensions against jurisdictional standards and codes.
• Work out the rise/run ratio, radius and balustrade spacing with mathematical calculations, following industry standards and jurisdictional standards and codes.
• Prepare full-scale stair layouts based on your calculations and site measurements.
• Verify where the stair components are located.

What you need to know

• Stair styles, stair components, balustrades and their components, and stair terminology.
• The considerations involved in building stairs.
• Wood properties.
• Site accessibility and site condition considerations.
• The sequence of assembly in the shop and on-site, and the sequence of work done by other trades.
• The calculations for rise/run ratio, radius and balustrade spacing.
• Layout tools and how to use them; procedures to lay out stair and balustrade components.
• Procedures for wall, floor and ceiling construction and finish; clamping techniques.

Range of variables

• Layout tools include: framing squares, angle finders, wing divider, trammel points, lasers, laser levels, plumb bobs.
• Stairwell dimensions include: opening, total rise, allowable headroom, total run.
• Jurisdictional standards and codes include: National Building Code (NBC), jurisdictional building codes.
• Industry standards include: AWMAC, AWI, WI, CKCA, shop-specific standard.

H-19.02 Machines stair and balustrade components

What you do

• Select and use tools and equipment to suit the application.
• Select stock so that quality and uniformity are ensured.
• Machine stringers to accept treads and risers, using jigs and templates.
• Shape balusters, hand rails and newel posts following the approved drawings.
• Machine balusters to the stair design so they line up properly and are strong enough once installed.
• Machine treads to the stair design.

What you need to know

• Stair styles, components, terminology, balustrades and the considerations for building stairs.
• Wood properties; building codes and their applications.
• Site accessibility and condition considerations; sequence of assembly in shop and on-site.
• Tools and equipment for machining stair and balustrade parts, machining techniques, and procedures to machine the parts.
• Clamping techniques and stair joinery techniques.

Range of variables

• Tools and equipment include: lathes, shapers, moulders, routers, saws, jointers, planers, CNC machines.

H-19.03 Assembles stairs and balustrades

What you do

• Select and use tools and equipment to suit the application.
• Form and bend the components for curved stringers and hand rails, following drawings and site conditions.
• Use adhesives, fasteners and wedges so the stair is strong and silent.
• Build stairs in sections in the shop, which saves time on the installation site and takes site accessibility into account.

What you need to know

• Stair styles, components, terminology, balustrades and building considerations; wood properties.
• Site accessibility and condition considerations; sequence of assembly in shop and on-site; sequence of work by other trades.
• Adhesives, fasteners and wedges.
• Tools and equipment for assembly; assembly procedures; stair assembly techniques.
• Clamping techniques, laminating wood techniques and stair joinery techniques.

Range of variables

• Tools and equipment include: clamps, pneumatic tools, drills, vacuum bags, power planes.

H-19.04 Installs stairs and balustrades

What you do

• Select and use tools and equipment for assembly and installation.
• Reassemble stair components on-site using adhesives, shims and fasteners.
• Locate studs and floor joists so stairs and components can be secured.
• Position the assembled stairs following drawings and site conditions.
• Level and plumb stairs and balustrades.
• Adjust stairs to suit site conditions.
• Secure stairs, balustrades and newel posts to studs, joists or stairs.

What you need to know

• Stair styles, components, terminology, balustrades and building considerations; wood properties.
• Site accessibility and condition considerations; sequence of assembly on-site; sequence of work by other trades.
• Adhesives, fasteners and shims.
• Tools and equipment for assembly and installation; installation procedures; clamping and stair joinery techniques.

Range of variables

• Tools and equipment include: hand tools, portable power tools, pneumatic tools, clamps, levels, laser levels.
• Fasteners include: screws, nails, bolts, glue blocks.
• Site conditions include: thickness of finished floors, square of opening.

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Source: Red Seal Occupational Standard – Cabinetmaker, Task H-19 (pp. 128–135).