IFSTA EXAMINATION TEST 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Stairs. Answer: Enable access to multiple levels of a structure and
serve as a basic component of building egress during an emergency
◉ Convenience stairs. Answer: Stairs that usually connects two
floors in a multistory building
◉ Tread. Answer: Horizontal face of a step, flat portion
◉ Riser. Answer: Vertical part of a stair step
◉ Run. Answer: Horizontal measurement of a stair tread or distance
of the entire stair length
◉ Rise. Answer: Vertical distance between the treads of a stairway
or height of entire stairwell
◉ 6 common types of stairs. Answer: Straight run, landing, return,
scissor, circular, spiral, folding
,◉ Straight run stairs. Answer: Extend in one direction for their
entire length, may have a landing between sections
◉ Landing stairs. Answer: Horizontal platform where a flight of
stairs begins or ends
◉ Return stairs. Answer: Intermediate landing between floors
where stairs reverse direction of travel, common in modern
construction
◉ Scissor stairs. Answer: 2 separate sets of stairs constructed in a
common shaft, helix pattern, more space-efficient and cheaper, often
used in airport terminals, convention centers, malls, and cinema
complexes
◉ Circular stairs. Answer: Often found as grand stairs or
convenience stairs only serving two floors, minimum width of the
run is usually 10 inches, special requirement that a small radius of
the full circle is greater than or equal to twice the widest part of the
stair tread
◉ Spiral stairs. Answer: Series of steps spiraling around a single
column to fit in a very small space, each tread connects to center
column called the baluster
, ◉ Baluster. Answer: Center column in a spiral staircase
◉ Folding stairs. Answer: Ladders used to provide access to an attic
space that does not have a permanent access stair, made up of 3
sections that unfold as the stair is lowered
◉ Gas springs. Answer: Aka struts, increasingly used with the hinge
in folding stairs to replace coil springs, are cheap and function more
efficiently and quietly, **Sudden exposure to fire temperatures or
compression leads to explosive failure
◉ Stairs for egress. Answer: (Must meet strict requirements to
ensure safe passage during evacuation)
- Fire-resistance rating of the enclosure
- Separation when exterior stairs are utilized
- Features to ensure safety during (non)emergency use
*Exit stairs often only allow exit for security reasons
◉ Protected stairs. Answer: Stairs that must resist the effects of the
products of combustion building codes to protect stair enclosures
◉ Protected stairs guidelines. Answer: - Limited penetrations in the
enclosure for light, fire protection, and environmental control
- Required self or automatic-closing fire rated doors
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Stairs. Answer: Enable access to multiple levels of a structure and
serve as a basic component of building egress during an emergency
◉ Convenience stairs. Answer: Stairs that usually connects two
floors in a multistory building
◉ Tread. Answer: Horizontal face of a step, flat portion
◉ Riser. Answer: Vertical part of a stair step
◉ Run. Answer: Horizontal measurement of a stair tread or distance
of the entire stair length
◉ Rise. Answer: Vertical distance between the treads of a stairway
or height of entire stairwell
◉ 6 common types of stairs. Answer: Straight run, landing, return,
scissor, circular, spiral, folding
,◉ Straight run stairs. Answer: Extend in one direction for their
entire length, may have a landing between sections
◉ Landing stairs. Answer: Horizontal platform where a flight of
stairs begins or ends
◉ Return stairs. Answer: Intermediate landing between floors
where stairs reverse direction of travel, common in modern
construction
◉ Scissor stairs. Answer: 2 separate sets of stairs constructed in a
common shaft, helix pattern, more space-efficient and cheaper, often
used in airport terminals, convention centers, malls, and cinema
complexes
◉ Circular stairs. Answer: Often found as grand stairs or
convenience stairs only serving two floors, minimum width of the
run is usually 10 inches, special requirement that a small radius of
the full circle is greater than or equal to twice the widest part of the
stair tread
◉ Spiral stairs. Answer: Series of steps spiraling around a single
column to fit in a very small space, each tread connects to center
column called the baluster
, ◉ Baluster. Answer: Center column in a spiral staircase
◉ Folding stairs. Answer: Ladders used to provide access to an attic
space that does not have a permanent access stair, made up of 3
sections that unfold as the stair is lowered
◉ Gas springs. Answer: Aka struts, increasingly used with the hinge
in folding stairs to replace coil springs, are cheap and function more
efficiently and quietly, **Sudden exposure to fire temperatures or
compression leads to explosive failure
◉ Stairs for egress. Answer: (Must meet strict requirements to
ensure safe passage during evacuation)
- Fire-resistance rating of the enclosure
- Separation when exterior stairs are utilized
- Features to ensure safety during (non)emergency use
*Exit stairs often only allow exit for security reasons
◉ Protected stairs. Answer: Stairs that must resist the effects of the
products of combustion building codes to protect stair enclosures
◉ Protected stairs guidelines. Answer: - Limited penetrations in the
enclosure for light, fire protection, and environmental control
- Required self or automatic-closing fire rated doors
