Protection from falling, collision and impact: Approved Document K

O N L I N E V E R S I O N K1 Stairs and ladders g. Where an exit is approached from a stepped gangway, place a landing the width of the exit and a minimum of 1100mm deep immediately in front of the exit doors. h. For stepped side gangways, provide a handrail in accordance with paragraphs 1.34 and 1.36. i. In stepped tiers, maintain the same level between the seatway and the nearest step. j. Gangways should not be less than 1100mm wide unless used by not more than 50 persons, in which case gangways should be a minimum of 900mm. Construction of steps For all buildings 1.5 Have level treads on steps, ensuring that the rise and going of each step are consistent throughout a flight of steps and are in accordance with Table 1.1. For buildings other than dwellings 1.6 Use risers that are not open. NOTE: The benefits of a riser that is not open are as follows. a. It removes the possibility of the front of a foot or a walking aid being caught underneath a tread during ascent, possibly causing a fall. b. It avoids the feeling of insecurity people get when looking through open risers on a stair. 1.7 For steps, apply both of the following guidance. a. Make step nosings apparent: use a material that will contrast visually, a minimum of 55mm wide, on both the tread and the riser. b. Avoid, if possible, step nosings that protrude over the tread below. If the nosing protrudes, ensure that this is by no more than 25mm (see Diagram 1.2). 1.8 If the soffit beneath a stair is less than 2m above floor level, protect the area beneath a stair with one of the following. a. Guarding and low level cane detection. b. A barrier giving the same degree of protection. For dwellings 1.9 Steps may have open risers if they comply with both of the following guidance. a. Overlap treads by a minimum of 16mm. b. Construct the steps so that a 100mm diameter sphere cannot pass through the open risers. For common access areas in buildings that contain flats 1.10 Provide a stair with steps that comply with all of the following guidance. a. Make step nosings apparent: use a material that will contrast visually, 50mm to 65mm wide on the tread and 30mm to 55mm on the riser. b. Use a suitable tread nosing profile, as shown in Diagram 1.2. c. Use risers which are not open. 6 Approved Documentttt KKKK,,,, 2222000011113333 eeeeddddiiiittttiiiioooonnnn Building Regulations 2010 OOO NNN LLL III NNN EEE VVV EEE RRR SSS III OOO NNN