Stairwell noise

Recommendation 73
Preferably a heavy concrete staircase, placed against an outside wall; avoid loose constructions, hollow steps, wood or metal

Chapter (theme)
Architectural spaces (sound)

Because of
sensory sensitivity (to noise)

In order to
lessen or avoid noise.

Elaboration
Stairs can be a disruptive source of noise. Loose constructions, hollow steps, wood and metal can all cause clatter. Such noise is amplified if the stairwell has much reverberation and can be called a ‘noise space’.

Appropriate remedies limiting noise include sufficient mass and stable attachment to an object which itself is sufficiently robust. A heavy concrete staircase, firmly attached to an outside wall, is the most silent. In case one of these possibilities isn’t present – mass, stable attachment or a robust anchoring – compensation can be created by paying more attention to the other elements.

For general measures specifically against reverberation see recommendation 107.

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