Staircase installer

Staircase installers put in place standard or custom designed staircases between the various levels in buildings. They take the necessary measurements, prepare the site, and install the staircase safely.

Excludes escalator installers.

The following job titles also refer to staircase installer:

stair builder
stair installer
stairway fitter
staircase carpenter
balustrade installer
staircase fitter
staircase craftsman
staircase and balustrade installer
stairway installer
stairway carpenter

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a staircase installer.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Staircase installer is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to staircase installer.

carpenter
carpet fitter
plasterer
ceiling installer
hardwood floor layer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of staircase installer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of staircase installer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

carpenter supervisor
bridge construction supervisor
plastering supervisor
roofing supervisor
bricklaying supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of staircase installer.

• Woodworking tools: The various tools used to process wood, such as planers, chisels and lathes.

These skills are necessary for the role of staircase installer.

• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Snap chalk line: Stretch a line covered in fine, non-staining chalk between two points and snap it against a surface to produce a straight line.
• Join wood elements: Bind wooden materials together using a variety of techniques and materials. Determine the optimal technique to join the elements, like stapling, nail, gluing or screwing. Determine the correct work order and make the joint.
• Transport construction supplies: Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers’ safety and protection from deterioration.
• Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
• Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
• Install handrail: Install handrails on stairs or balustrades. Firmly anchor the handrail onto newel posts or directly to the floor.
• Position carriage: Set stair carriages to their final position. Fix them to the top terminal, usually with a headboard. Fix the carriage to the bottom terminal and block it from sliding over the floor with a brace. Fix the carriage to the wall if called for.
• Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
• Interpret 3D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
• Clean wood surface: Use a variety of techniques on a wood surface to ensure it is free of dust, sawdust, grease, stains, and other contaminants.
• Use measurement instruments: Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
• Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
• Fasten treads and risers: Securely fasten the treads of a staircase and their vertical counterparts, the risers, to the structural support element or elements of the stair. Screw or nail the risers and treads onto the structure, like stringers, carriages or I-beam. Use adhesives to prevent creaking if called for.
• Interpret 2D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
• Apply wood finishes: Use a variety of techniques to finish wood. Paint, varnish and stain wood to improve its function, durability, or appearance.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of staircase installer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Wood cuts: Different ways of cutting wood, across the grain or parallel with it, and radial or tangential to the core. The behaviour of cuts of wood under different circumstances and the optimal cut for a given purpose. Influence of special attributes of the wood, like knots or defects.
• Types of wood: Types of wood, such as birch, pine, poplar, mahogany, maple and tulipwood.
• Types of carpet: Different types of carpet based on materials, production method, backing, fitting techniques, cost, durability, aesthetics and other criteria.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of staircase installer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Advise on construction materials: Provide advice on and test a wide range of construction materials.
• Calculate stairs rise and run: Calculate the appropriate measures for the rise and run of each stair, taking into account the total height and depth of the stairs, any floor covering, and the range of stair measurements that allow comfortable use.
• Install spindles: Install spindles, vertical elements that connect a handrail to a bottom element such as a staircase or balustrade bottom. Mostly decorational, they may also prevent people or objects falling through gaps and provide some structural support.
• Sort waste: Manually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.
• Apply restoration techniques: Select and apply appropriate restoration techniques in order to achieve the required restoration goals. This encompasses preventive measures, remedial measures, restoration processes and management processes.
• Answer requests for quotation: Make up prices and documents for the products that customers may purchase.
• Place carpet: Lay the carpet in the right location and remove wrinkles. Cut surplus carpet at the corners to facilitate handling.
• Protect surfaces during construction work: Cover floors, ceiling, skirting boards and any other surfaces with various materials such as plastic or textile to keep them from being damaged or stained when performing construction or renovation work like painting or plastering.
• Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
• Maintain work area cleanliness: Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
• Cut stair carriages: Make cuts in a plank of solid wood to carry stair treads and risers. Take measurements and calculations into account to make markings on the carriage with a steel square. Cut the carriage using a power saw or hand saw.
• Calculate needs for construction supplies: Take measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.
• Create smooth wood surface: Shave, plane and sand wood manually or automatically to produce a smooth surface.
• Estimate restoration costs: Estimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.
• Create cutting plan: Draw up plans to show how the material will be cut into functional pieces to minimise loss of material.
• Operate wood router: Handle automated or non-automated industrial wood routers, which feature a routing head that moves over the wood, going up and down to regulate the depth of the incision.
• Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
• Order construction supplies: Order required materials for the construction project, taking care to purchase the most suitable material for a good price.
• Process incoming construction supplies: Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
• Use cad software: Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.
• Create architectural sketches: Create architectural sketches for the design and detail specifications of interiors and exteriors to scale.
• Operate table saw: Handle an industrial table saw, which cuts with a rotating circular blade built into a table. Set the height of the saw to control the depth of the cut. Pay particular attention to safety, as factors such as natural stresses within the wood may produce unpredictable forces.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Select restoration activities: Determine restoration needs and requirements and plan the activities. Consider the desired results, the level of intervention required, evaluation of alternatives, constraints on actions, stakeholder demands, possible risks and future options.
• Set up temporary construction site infrastructure: Set up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. Put up fences and signs. Set up any construction trailers and make sure that these are connected to electricity lines and water supply. Establish supplies stores and garbage disposal in a sensible manner.
• Operate hand drill: Use a hand drill to make holes in various types of material such as stone, brick and wood. Take care to use the appropriate equipment, settings, drill bit and pressure for the task.
• Follow safety procedures when working at heights: Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.
• Install newel posts: Install newel posts, which provide stability to the stairs and balusters. Cut the newel post to the right dimensions and finish. Anchor the post firmly into place with bolts or screws.

7115 – Carpenters and joiners

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References

1. Staircase installer – ESCO