Stair step geometry compliance with standard specifications for safety and usability: a study of selected university buildings in Ghana Stephen Agyefi-Mensah Building Technology, Cape Coast Technical University, Cape Coast, Ghana Zoya Evans Kpamma Department of Building Technology, Sunyani Technical University, Sunyani, Ghana, and Daniel Ebo Hagan Building Technology, Cape Coast Technical University, Cape Coast, Ghana Abstract Purpose – Compliance with standard specifications in stairway design and construction, particularly the step geometry, is imperative for the safety and usability of stairs. The purpose of this study, was to assess the compliance of stair step geometry parameters with standard specifications in selected public buildings in Ghana. Specifically, the study investigated the prevalence of deviations in step geometry parameters from standard provisions; how significant these deviations are in comparison, and by theoretical association, the potential risk of accidents. Design/methodology/approach – Field measurement of the geometric parameters of a total of 1954 steps in 204 flights of stairs within 28 university buildings was undertaken using a calibrated Multi Digit Pro þ digital spirit level and a tape measure following the Nose-to-Nose Method. The results were analyzed using in Microsoft Excel 2016 and Minitab 18 and interpreted based on mean values, one-sample t-test and percentages. Findings – Although some parameters generally complied with standard specifications, dimensional inconsistencies in risers and treads of adjacent steps were most prevalent, and significantly at margins far above standard specifications. The findings of the study show the unique limitation of the step geometry design requirements specified in the current Ghana National Building Code and the National Building Regulation, and by association, the potential risk of accidents and discomfort in the use of stairs in public buildings such as those on university campuses. Practical implications – The observed deviations in the dimensions of risers and treads point to a lack of strict compliance with standard specifications in the design and construction of stairs. Apart from engaging skilled artisans, and intensifying supervision in stair construction, development control authorities in Ghana need to strengthen inspection of stairs during construction to ensure and enforce compliance. Originality/value – Findings of the study provide insight into stairway design, as well as stair safety and usability in a developing world context, and allows for a more comprehensive study of stair-related accidents and discomfort associated with stairs in public buildings as a basis for the review of standards and codes in Ghana and other developing countries. Keywords Safety, Ghana, Usability, University buildings, Dimensional variations, Stair step geometry Paper type Research paper 1. Introduction Stairs are ubiquitous as a means of vertical circulation in buildings. In modern architecture, particularly social architecture, stairs have become functionally indispensable because of the need to create more useable space through the construction of multi-storey buildings. Stairs are, however, inherently difficult for humans to negotiate and are nearly always associated with the risk of accident (Atlas, 2019; Zhang et al., 2018; Jacobs, 2016; Neary, 2014). Several Stair step geometry compliance The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/2398-4708.htm Received 6 September 2019 Revised 16 April 2020 26 June 2020 9 August 2020 Accepted 28 August 2020 International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation © Emerald Publishing Limited 2398-4708 DOI 10.1108/IJBPA-09-2019-0079