Building Systems: Stairs and Ramps

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary advantage of stairs over ramps in building design?

Stairs are more accessible for people with disabilities

Stairs are more aesthetically pleasing than ramps

Stairs can be placed on a steeper slope and occupy less space (correct)

Stairs are easier to maintain than ramps

What is the purpose of railings in stairways?

To provide safety and prevent accidents (correct)

To provide support for handrails

To reduce the weight of the stairway

To enhance the aesthetic appeal of the stairway

What is the primary function of an escalator?

To provide emergency escape routes in buildings

To provide storage for building equipment

To provide vertical transportation in high-traffic areas (correct)

To provide horizontal transportation in office buildings

What is the primary advantage of elevators in tall buildings?

They provide speedier vertical transportation Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the horizontal platform of a step in a stairway?

Thread Signup and view all the answers

In which type of buildings are escalators often installed?

Department stores and transportation terminals Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the openings in the shaft or exterior wall of a building in an elevator system?

To provide access to the elevator car on each floor Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of intelligent buildings in terms of building management?

Centralized control and monitoring of building systems Signup and view all the answers

How can lighting be operated in an intelligent building to conserve energy?

Using sensors that detect people movement Signup and view all the answers

What are two possible ways to move an elevator car?

With cables or atop a piston moved by hydraulic pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of sensors and communication devices in an intelligent building?

To monitor and adjust the building environment Signup and view all the answers

Where can the equipment and operating personnel be stationed in an intelligent building?

In a so-called control center or remotely via computer Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the communication network in an electric power system?

To convey information for ensuring a stable supply of electricity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of vertical-circulation elements in multistory buildings?

To accommodate the movement of people, supplies, and equipment between levels Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of vertical-circulation element?

Generators Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of escalators in a building?

To provide a means of conveyance for people between levels Signup and view all the answers

What is a common use of pneumonic tubes in vertical-circulation elements?

Sending messages or small items between levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of elevators in a building?

To convey people and goods between levels Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Building Systems

Ramps are used for movement of people and vehicles in buildings such as stadiums and garages, but stairs are more commonly used due to their ability to occupy less space.
A stairway consists of a series of steps and landings, with each step comprising a horizontal platform (tread) and a vertical separation (riser).

Vertical-Circulation Elements

Escalators, or powered stairs, are installed in buildings with heavy pedestrian traffic, such as department stores and transportation terminals.
Elevators are used to provide speedier vertical transportation, especially in tall buildings, with transportation provided in an enclosed car that moves along guides.
Elevators can be suspended on cables or set atop a piston moved by hydraulic pressure.

Intelligent Buildings

Intelligent buildings incorporate major systems and have the ability to control the total building environment through the use of computers and communication equipment.
Equipment and operating personnel can be stationed in a control center or monitored and controlled remotely via computer, modem, and telephone line.
Sensors and communication devices are located throughout the building to analyze and adjust the environment, deliver messages during emergencies, and dispatch personnel as needed.

Acoustic Electric Power and Communication Systems

There are two types of electric systems: one for communications (including data, telephone, television, etc.) and another for other electrical needs of the building and its occupants.
The communication network of an electric power system conveys information to ensure a stable supply of electricity and prevent power outages from spreading.

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Description

This quiz covers the basics of stairs and ramps in building systems, including their uses and spatial advantages. It also touches on the differences between stairs and ramps in various building types.