Build a Small Brick or Stone Step Assembly

A. Finished-Project Specification

Deliverable: one small masonry step or two-step assembly built on an approved base, with total rise, riser count, tread depth, nosing, width, and landing exactly matching the approved drawings; full riser and tread bearing; approved reinforcement, infill, or concrete support where specified; controlled drainage slope on treads and landing; tooled and cleaned joints; and a documented cure and inspection record.

B. Component Schedule

Component	Quantity	Material	Finished Size	Preparation
Base / footing support	Per approved detail	Compacted aggregate or concrete, per approved detail	Per approved base or footing detail	Excavated, compacted, formed, and cured or verified level per approved detail
Riser units	Per approved riser count	Brick, block, or stone per approved specification	Riser height per story pole	Dry-laid, cleaned, and cut per Chapter 10 where required
Tread units	Per approved tread count	Brick, block, or stone per approved specification	Tread depth and nosing per approved dimensions	Dry-laid, cleaned, and cut per Chapter 10 where required
Infill / reinforcement / grout	Per approved detail	Per approved specification	Per approved detail	Installed and inspected only where specified; not substituted or omitted
Mortar or setting bed	Per approved mix and takeoff	Per Chapter 3 specification	Bed and joint thickness per story pole	Batched, mixed, and tested per Chapter 3

C. Material Takeoff

Base every quantity of riser units, tread units, aggregate or concrete, reinforcement, infill, mortar, and joint material on the approved drawings and component schedule for this specific project. Include a waste allowance for cutting under Chapter 10. Do not estimate quantities without a source document.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Riser height uniformity	Every riser matches the specified height within the tolerance stated in the approved drawings or adopted code; if none is stated, treat any measurable variation between risers as a deficiency and refer it rather than estimating a tolerance
Tread depth uniformity	Every tread matches the specified depth within the same tolerance standard applied to riser height
Nosing	Consistent projection matching the approved dimension on every tread; no tread nosing may be omitted or reduced to correct a riser-height error
Level and straightness	Each riser and tread level along its length and straight across its face, checked with the 4-foot level and straightedge
Bearing	Full bearing on the approved base, footing, or supporting course beneath every riser and tread; no unit bears on unverified or unsupported material
Drainage slope	Treads and landing slope per the approved drainage detail without creating an unsafe cross slope; standing water is not present after the drainage test in Step 21
Joints	Full, tooled joints matching the specified profile; no voids visible at riser-to-tread or tread-to-riser transitions
Stop-work conditions	Required geometry cannot be achieved on the existing base or threshold elevation; construction stops on that item and is referred to the responsible design authority before proceeding

E. Layout — Geometry, Utilities, and Footprint

1. Review approved total rise, number of risers, tread depth, nosing, width, landing, foundation, drainage, material, and code requirements. Record every value on the Project Identification Record before proceeding.
2. Confirm the base and adjacent threshold elevations. Measure the existing lower grade and upper threshold elevation and compare the difference against the approved total rise.
3. Do not begin if the required geometry cannot be achieved. If the measured elevations do not support the specified rise, run, and riser count, stop and refer the discrepancy before proceeding.
4. Locate utilities and verify door and landing clearances. Confirm no buried utility conflicts the excavation and that the finished landing does not obstruct door swing or required clearances.
5. Lay out step footprint, riser lines, and finished elevations. Mark the footprint, each riser line, and the finished elevation of each tread on the ground using the approved dimensions.

F. Base Preparation

1. Excavate and prepare the approved base or footing. Excavate to the depth and footprint required by the approved foundation detail.
2. Compact subgrade and install aggregate or concrete support. Compact the subgrade, then place and compact the specified aggregate base or place and cure the specified concrete footing.
3. Verify base level and drainage. Check the prepared base for level and confirm it directs water away from the step assembly rather than trapping it beneath the risers.

G. Riser and Tread Construction

1. Dry-lay riser and tread units. Dry-lay a representative sample of riser and tread units on the prepared base without mortar.
2. Adjust module while preserving code-compliant geometry. Adjust unit spacing and joint width only within limits that keep every riser and tread within the approved geometry; do not change the specified rise, run, or riser count to reduce cutting.
3. Construct the first riser or support course. Spread mortar or setting bed on the prepared base and set the first riser course using the story pole and mason's line.
4. Check level, straightness, and elevation. Verify the first riser course against the story pole, the 4-foot level, and the mason's line before proceeding.
5. Install infill, reinforcement, or concrete support as specified. Place any infill, reinforcement, or concrete backing required by the approved detail before covering it with the next course.
6. Set tread units with full bearing. Spread mortar or setting bed across the full riser-course top and set tread units with complete contact; do not bridge tread units over unsupported infill.
7. Maintain consistent nosing. Set every tread's leading edge to the same nosing projection over the riser face below it, checked with the tape measure at both ends and the center of each tread.
8. Build the next riser and tread where included. Repeat the riser and tread sequence for each additional step in the assembly, rechecking the story pole at every course.

H. Drainage, Finishing, and Protection

1. Slope treads or landings for approved drainage without creating an unsafe cross slope. Set the drainage slope specified in the approved drawings; do not exceed the maximum cross slope stated for safe foot traffic.
2. Maintain uniform finished rise and tread depth. Recheck every riser and tread against the story pole once all courses are set, before mortar reaches final set.
3. Install joints and movement details. Fill and tool every bed, head, and riser-to-tread joint to the specified profile; install movement joints where the approved detail requires them.
4. Tool and clean mortar. Tool joints when thumbprint hard and brush clean without smearing mortar onto tread or riser faces.
5. Protect and cure. Cover and protect the assembly from rain, freezing, rapid drying, heat, and impact for the specified cure period.
6. Barricade steps until safe for traffic. Maintain the barricade through the full cure period; do not allow foot traffic before the acceptance standards in this chapter are met.

I. Inspection and Documentation

1. Inspect stability, geometry, nosing, slip, drainage, edges, and transitions. Verify every acceptance standard in Section D using the tape measure, story pole, level, and straightedge.
2. Document final rise, run, width, and cure. Record the as-built rise, run, width, nosing, cure dates, weather conditions during cure, and the final inspection result.