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Exceptions to regulation 57(2) - Vehicle ramps and garage exemptions
57(4)
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The requirements of regulation 57(2) shall not apply in relation to a car showroom, a garage within the boundary of a dwelling, or a single storey building comprising two or more garages each of which
dwellingnon-domesticcommercialindustrial
Exceptions to regulation 59 - Dwellings and lift doors
57(5)
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The requirements of regulation 59 shall not apply to— (a) a dwelling; and (b) a door or gate which is part of a lift.
dwelling
Window and ventilator protection in dwellings
57(6)
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Insofar as they relate to a dwelling, the requirements of regulation 60 shall only apply to a window, skylight or ventilator which opens over a public route of travel.
dwellingprotection-from-falling
Provision of stairs in multi-storey dwellings
55
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Within every dwelling of more than one storey there shall be provided between such storeys access by means of a stair complying with the relevant provisions in this Part: Provided that nothing in this
dwellingstairs
Performance standard for reasonable safety
0.2
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
It is the view of the Department that the requirements of regulation 56 in Part H will be met when a stair, ladder, ramp and its landings afford reasonable safety to people who use them. As there is a
stairsrampsdwellingnon-domesticpublic-building
Guidance scope for ramps and steps on access routes
0.3
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
This Section of the guidance deals specifically with various aspects of the geometry and safety features for – (a) ramps and complementary steps on access routes to buildings other than dwellings; and
rampsdwellingnon-domestic
Guidance scope for stairs and ladders
0.4
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The guidance in Section 3 is concerned with various aspects of the geometry and safety of stairs and certain ladders. This includes common provisions for all stairs and additional provisions for – (a)
stairsdwellingflatsnon-domestic
Scope of Technical Booklet H
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Provisions are also given for spiral and helical stairs in a dwelling and stairs and ladders used solely for the purpose of providing access for maintenance in buildings other than dwellings. The guid
stairsrampsdwellingnon-domestic
Guarding Performance Requirements
0.5
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
It is the view of the Department that the requirements of regulation 57 in Part H will be met if, in order to reduce the risk to the safety of people in or about buildings – (a) pedestrian guarding is
protection-from-fallingguardingpublic-buildingdwellingnon-domestic
Definitions
1.1
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
In this Technical Booklet the following definitions apply – Dwelling – has the meaning assigned to it by regulation 2 in Part A of the Building Regulations. Entrance storey – means the storey which
dwellingstairsrampsprotection-from-falling
Section 2 Coverage and scope
2.2
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
This Section is presented as follows – Ramps and complementary steps on access routes to buildings other than dwellings; and Ramps and steps on access routes to dwellings.
rampsaccessaccessibilitydwellingnon-domestic
Ramped approach requirements
2.13
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A ramped approach should have – (a) a surface which is firm and even; (b) an unobstructed width not less than 900 mm; (c) a ramp or ramps not exceeding – (i) 10 m in length where the slope of the ramp
dwellingaccessramps
Stepped approach requirements
2.14
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A stepped approach should have – (a) a flight or flights with an unobstructed width of not less than 900 mm; (b) a rise of not more than 1800 mm in each flight of steps; (c) steps with a uniform rise
dwellingaccessstairs
Handrail specifications for stepped approach
2.15
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A stepped approach should have a suitable handrail which – (a) is at a height measured vertically of – (i) 900 mm above the pitch line of a flight of steps; and (ii) 1000 mm above the surface of a lan
dwellingaccessstairsprotection-from-falling
Common provisions for private and common stairs in dwellings
3.2
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A private stair or a common stair in a block of dwellings, should comply with the provisions of paragraphs 3.4 to 3.28.
stairsdwellingflats
Minimum headroom requirement
3.9
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A stair should have a clear headroom of not less than 2000 mm over its full length and width. Headroom is measured vertically from the pitch line of the flight and the level of the landing. See Diagra
stairsdwelling
Rise and going dimensions by stair category
Table 3.1
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Table 3.1 Rise and going Category | Rise minimum (mm) | Rise maximum (mm) | Going minimum (mm) | Going maximum (mm) Private stair | 75 | 220* | 220 | — A common stair in a block of dwellings | 75 | 1
stairsdwellingflats
Pitch of private stairs
3.12
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The pitch of a private stair should not exceed 42°, therefore it is not possible to combine a maximum rise with a minimum going. The rise and the going are given in Table 3.1.
stairsdwellingprivate-stair
Width of flights in private stairs and common stairs
3.13
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The minimum unobstructed widths for a flight, in a private stair and a common stair in a block of dwellings, are given in Table 3.2 and should be measured in accordance with Diagram 3.4.
stairsdwellingflatsprivate-staircommon-stair
Table 3.2 – Widths of flights in private stairs and common stairs
Table 3.2
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Table 3.2 Widths of flights in a private stair and a common stair in a block of dwellings Category | Minimum unobstructed width (mm) Private stair - (a) providing access to one room only (not being
stairsdwellingflatsprivate-staircommon-stair
Construction of steps in private stairs with open rises
3.14
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A private stair may have steps with open rises, but the treads should then overlap each other by at least 16 mm. See Diagram 1.1. A private stair which has open rises, should be constructed so that a
dwellingstairsprotection-from-falling
Number of rises in a flight
3.16
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The number of rises in a flight should be a maximum of 16 and a minimum of 2. However, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 3.19, a single step may be provided – (a) at the bottom of a stair in
dwellingstairs
Landing provision and dimensions
3.17
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A landing should be provided at the top and bottom of every flight. The width of a landing should be not less than the width of the stair. The going of a landing should be not less than – (a) in a pri
dwellingflatsstairs
Landing obstruction and door swing restrictions
3.18
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
To afford safe passage a landing should be clear of any obstruction. However, in a private stair – (a) a door may swing across a landing at the bottom of a flight but only where it will leave a clear
dwellingstairs
Landing exemption for external flights with low rise
3.19
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A landing need not be provided between an external flight and a doorway if the rise of the flight is not more than 600 mm and the door slides or opens away from the steps. Where there is a single step
dwellingstairsmeans-of-escape
Handrails for private stairs and common stairs in dwellings
3.24
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Flights in a private stair with a total rise of more than 600 mm and a common stair in a block of dwellings, should have a continuous handrail that gives firm support and a firm grip and be located –
dwellingflatsstairs
Handrails for private stairs accessing principal storey
3.25
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 3.24, where a private stair – (a) is part of the circulation route within the entrance storey of a dwelling; or (b) gives access to the circulation route wi
dwellingstairsaccess
Handrails not required at bottom of private stair
3.26
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Handrails are not required beside the two steps at the bottom of a private stair.
dwellingstairs
Spiral or helical stairs in dwellings
3.44
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
In a dwelling, a spiral or helical stair should be designed and constructed in accordance with BS 5395: 2.
dwellingstairs
Ramp gradient in dwellings
4.2
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A ramp should have a gradient not steeper than 1 in 12 and should be uniform throughout its length. See Diagram 4.1.
dwellingrampsaccessibility
Ramp width
4.3
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The minimum width for a ramp should be the same as that for a flight in a private stair, see paragraph 3.13 and Table 3.2.
rampsaccessibilitydwelling
Ramp length and gradient in common areas of dwellings
4.9
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A ramp should be not more than – (a) 10 m in length where the gradient of the ramp does not exceed 1 in 15; or (b) 5 m in length where the gradient of the ramp does not exceed 1 in 12.
rampsflatsdwelling
Width of ramps in common areas of dwellings
4.10
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A ramp should have a surface width of not less than 1200 mm. Where a handrail is provided, the width at handrail level may be reduced to not less than 1000 mm.
rampsflatsdwelling
Exemptions from guarding requirements
5.1
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Paragraphs 5.2 to 5.4 do not apply to – (a) guarding to a spiral or helical stair in a dwelling; (b) guarding to a stair or a fixed ladder, in a building other than a dwelling, providing access solely
guardingdwellingnon-domesticstairs
Child safety in guarding - sphere and climbability test
5.6
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Where a building or part of a building is likely to be used by children under 5 years of age the guarding should be constructed so that a 100 mm diameter sphere cannot pass through any opening in it o
protection-from-fallingdwelling
Minimum height and strength of guarding
Table 5.1
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Table 5.1 Minimum height and strength of guarding Location of guarding | Minimum height+ (mm) | Minimum horizontal force/metre run (kN/m) Dwellings: (a) guarding a flight, ramp, landing or floor wit
guardingprotection-from-fallingdwellingcommercialpublic-buildingstairsramps
Guarding of spiral or helical stairs in a dwelling
5.7
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
In a dwelling, guarding to a spiral or helical stair should be designed and constructed in accordance with BS 5395: 2.
dwellingstairsprotection-from-falling

Every rule that governs your project, in one place.

Exceptions to regulation 57(2) - Vehicle ramps and garage exemptions

Exceptions to regulation 59 - Dwellings and lift doors

Window and ventilator protection in dwellings

Provision of stairs in multi-storey dwellings

Performance standard for reasonable safety

Guidance scope for ramps and steps on access routes

Guidance scope for stairs and ladders

Scope of Technical Booklet H

Guarding Performance Requirements

Definitions

Section 2 Coverage and scope

Ramped approach requirements

Stepped approach requirements

Handrail specifications for stepped approach

Common provisions for private and common stairs in dwellings

Minimum headroom requirement

Rise and going dimensions by stair category

Pitch of private stairs

Width of flights in private stairs and common stairs

Table 3.2 – Widths of flights in private stairs and common stairs

Construction of steps in private stairs with open rises

Number of rises in a flight

Landing provision and dimensions

Landing obstruction and door swing restrictions

Landing exemption for external flights with low rise

Handrails for private stairs and common stairs in dwellings

Handrails for private stairs accessing principal storey

Handrails not required at bottom of private stair

Spiral or helical stairs in dwellings

Ramp gradient in dwellings

Ramp width

Ramp length and gradient in common areas of dwellings

Width of ramps in common areas of dwellings

Exemptions from guarding requirements

Child safety in guarding - sphere and climbability test

Minimum height and strength of guarding

Guarding of spiral or helical stairs in a dwelling