Walking Line — Glossary entry
Category: Glossary entry
Imaginary line representing a user's typical path along a staircase.
The walking line is an imaginary line that represents the usual path taken by users when going up or down the stair. It starts at the bottom step with a small circle or dot and ends at the top step with an arrow. The going and rise are measured along the walking line, and the calculated rise-going ratio is plotted onto it within the walking zone. The walking line must be continuous, without kinks – typically running through the centre on straight flights and offset towards the outside on curved flights. For flight widths up to 1 m it runs centrally; on wider flights it is set 30 to 35 cm from the inside of the handrails.
Walking Area and Walking Line: The walking area of a staircase lies at the centre for stair widths up to 1 m and has a width of two-tenths of the usable stair width. The walking line runs within this area, along which the going is measured. It must be continuous and without kinks. In winding stairs, the going is measured as the chord between the intersection points of the walking line with the step nosings.
Related terms
Related terms: Tread Depth (Going), Step-Ratio Formula, Tread Flaring — Overview for Curved Stairs, Open Stringer, Stair Flight, DIN 18065.