Stockwerke

Stockwerke is the German term for the horizontal divisions of a building, commonly translated as floors or stories in English. A stockwerk is a single level intended for occupancy or use, separated from adjacent levels by a floor structure. The concept helps organize space, services, and access within multi-story buildings.

In German-speaking countries, the naming of stockwerke follows a standard pattern. The ground level is called Erdgeschoss (often abbreviated EG). Upper floors are referred to as Obergeschosse, with ordinal prefixes such as 1. Obergeschoss (1. OG), 2. OG, and so on. Basements are called Kellergeschoss or Untergeschoss, depending on local practice. Some older buildings may use terms like Parterre for certain ground-floor spaces.

Construction and layout: Each stockwerk rests on a structural floor equipped with beams, columns, and a floor deck, while vertical services (stairways, elevators, ducts, pipes) run between levels. Floor-to-ceiling heights vary by use and region but are typically around 2.4 to 3.0 meters in commercial buildings and somewhat lower in residential structures. Some buildings include mezzanines or partial stockwerke that are not counted as full levels.

Access, safety, and regulation: Stockwerke are connected by stairs and elevators to provide vertical circulation. Building codes address fire safety, egress routes, structural integrity, accessibility, and mechanical separation between floors to limit the spread of hazards.

Usage and variability: The number of stockwerke in a building ranges from a single-story house to high-rise towers with dozens of levels. Different countries may use alternative terms—such as floor, storey, or mezzanine—depending on language and local building traditions.

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