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Make a small slot in the upper newel post to fit the first floor trimmer joist.

5.Glue and screw all the parts of the staircase together.

6.Fit the handrail in position about 850 mm above the slope of the tread nosings and insert it into the newel posts.

7.Insert the balusters into the handrail and the string at less than 100 mm intervals.

8.Transport it to the site and put the complete staircase into the building.

Assignments:

1Present phonetic reading of §2–4.

2Explain the words in bold from the text and make up sentences of your own. Use English-English dictionaries to help you.

3Suggest the Russian equivalents:

Gain access, string, handrail, cast in situ on formwork, to be used for fire escapes, to move comfortably from one step to another, to find the compromise between tread length and riser height, formula for calculating, the total number, timber pieces, to nail, to strengthen the joint, cramp iron, adjacent treads and risers, screw, put the complete staircase into the building.

4 Give the English equivalents:

Лестница; марш лестницы; тетива лестницы; проступь; подступень лестницы; балюстрада (парапет перила); поручни (перила); опалубка; пожарная лестница; ширина ступени; подъём ступени лестницы; косоур; клин; нижняя стойка лестничных перил; обвязка проёма (в перекрытии); привинчивать; перевозить.

5 Read the text again and answer the questions that follow (1–5):

1.What are the functions of stairs?

2.What materials are used for staircases building?

3.What is the formula for calculating stair dimensions?

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4.Which type of staircases are widely used and why?

5.What are the main steps of staircase building?

6Give a literary translation of the first four steps of how to put a timber staircase together from the timber pieces.

7You’ve misheard the information. Make it more exact, putting

questions:

Example: A: Timber staircase usually consists of two strings, treads and risers, a balustrade and a handrail.

B:What does timber staircase consist of?

1.Reinforced concrete staircases are increasingly popular and usually cast in situ on formwork.

2.The first principle in staircase design is that a person should be able to move comfortably from one step to another.

3.Each riser in a flight of stairs must be the same height.

4.Insert and glue two wedges in each tread to strengthen the joint.

5.Transport the complete staircase to the building site and put it into the building.

8Match the parts of a staircase to its definitions. Figure given in the text may help you:

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9What is your impression of the information given in the text? Express your ideas in 3–4 sentences.

10In a paragraph of 70–100 words, and using your own words, as far as possible, summarize what the text tells us about the staircases.

11Find and present additional information on any staircase layouts you like.

Standard staircase layouts are: a) straight flight of stairs; b) 90° turn with a quarter landing; c) 180° turn with a half landing; d) tapered staircase with no landing; e) dog-leg staircase.

WORD LIST

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“Our experience of an architectural space is strongly influenced by how we arrive in it.” Matthew Frederick (architect)

Unit 7

DOORS

Read the text:

(§1) A door is a movable barrier that separates internal and external spaces. It is usually attached to a frameon one side by hinges. A door provides access, protection, security and privacy. The main parts of a door are labeled in Fig. 7.1.

(§2) The doors can be made out of different structural pieces:

1.Ledges, braces and battens;

2.Frames, ledges, braces and battens.

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2)a frame with a head rail, bottom rail and two stiles;

3)a ledge;

4)braces.

(§6) The basic steps for constructing this type of door are to:

1)cut and assemble the pieces of the frame to fit the door size;

2)insert the head and bottom rail into recesses in the stiles;

3)fit the braces;

4)nail the battens on the braces and stile.

(§7) The other examples of doors are flush doors and panelled doors. Flush doors have no projections or recesses on either surface of the door. These doors are usually made of large sheets of plywood or hardboard. They may have glazed panels to allow in some light.

Panelled doors are suitable for internal and external use. They are made from solid timber frames with solid or glazed panels.

Assignments:

1Present phonetic reading of a paragraph “Making a ledged, braced and battened door” or “Making a framed, braced, and battened door”.

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2Explain the expressions in bold from the text and make up sentences of your own. Use English-English dictionary to help you.

3Suggest the Russian equivalents:

A door is a movable barrier; to be attached to a frame; to provide access, protection, security and privacy; joints should be vertical; the basic steps; fit the braces; to be made of large sheets; glazed panels.

4 Give the English equivalents:

Нижний брус оконной, дверной рамы; порог; верхний, обвязочный брус; нижний брус обвязки дверей; фанера; дверная петля; вертикальный брус дверной коробки; сливная рейка двери; диагональная схватка; шпунт; древесно-волокнистая плита.

5Read the text again and answer the questions that follow (1–6):

1.What is the definition of the word “door”?

2.What are functions of a door?

3.Can you give the main parts of a door in Russian and in English?

4.What structural pieces of making a door do you know?

5.What are the principal differences between a ledged, braced and battened door and a framed, braced, and battened door?

6.What other types of door do you know?

6Match the headings to the paragraphs:

a)privacy

b)sound insulation

c)durability

d)security

e)weather resistance

f)fire resistance

g)operation

1) External doors need a minimum gap of 2 mm for free movement. This gap should be sealed with suitable draught and water excluders to make the door weather-resistant.

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2)The security of a door depends on the materials used, the quality of the frame and the ironmongery. Internal doors only need to provide minimum security, for example, a bathroom door might be fitted with a simple lock. External doors need to be constructed to high specifications and fitted with high-security locks.

3)Internal doors that separate spaces are usually made of materials that prevent the rapid spread of fire. They are also heavy enough to be self-closing.

4)Heavier doors provide better sound insulation.

5)Solid doors are most private. If some light is needed while retaining privacy, then obscure glass should be fitted.

6)Doors can swing on hinges fixed to door frames. Spring-loaded latches usually hold doors closed. The doors are normally opened with knobs or levers.

7)Doors are in constant use. Their construction should be strong enough to withstand considerable activity. A door should not fall off the edge fixed to a frame under its own weight. External doors should be able to resist climatic extremes, which can cause the shape to warp.

7 You’ve misheard the information from the previous assignment. Make it more exact, putting questions:

Example: A: The security of a door depends on the materials used, the quality of the frame and the ironmongery.

B: What does the security of a door depend on?

8 Give a literary translation of the first and the last two paragraphs.

9 Match the door-related terms and their definitions. Figures in the text may help you:

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10What is your impression of the information given in the text? Express your ideas in 3–4 sentences.

11In a paragraph of 70–100 words, and using your own words, as far as possible, summarize what the text tells us about the types of doors.

12Find and present additional information on any type of doors you like.

WORD LIST

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