Every rule your project must meet, found for you.
Search Northern Ireland’s planning and building-control guidance, ask a question in plain English, or generate a project compliance checklist — every answer cited to the source.
Working to a specific project? Generate a compliance checklist →
Answers, with citations
Ask in plain English and get an answer that links to the exact source clause — never an unsourced guess.
Scoped to your council
Overlay a council's local development plan on the Northern Ireland-wide regulations and policy.
Project compliance checklist
Characterise a project and get the requirements that apply, grouped by work area. Try it →
The library
Search the source guidance
50 results · filtered
Technical Booklet H Structure and Content
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Technical Booklet H: 2012 covers Stairs, ramps, guarding and protection from impact. The booklet includes guidance on Performance and introduction to provisions covering: Stairs, ladders, ramps and th
stairsrampsguardingprotection-from-fallingPurpose and status of Technical Booklet H
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
This Technical Booklet, which takes effect on 31st October 2012, is one of a series that has been prepared by the Department of Finance and Personnel (the Department) for the purpose of providing prac
Applicable regulations
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The guidance contained in this Technical Booklet relates only to the requirements of regulations 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60. The work will also have to comply with all other relevant requirements of the Bu
stairsrampsguardingprotection-from-impactMaterials and workmanship requirements
Regulation 23NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Any building work which is subject to requirements imposed by Part A of the Building Regulations should be carried out in accordance with regulation 23 of those regulations. Guidance on meeting these
Purpose of Building Regulations
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The Building Regulations are made for specific purposes, primarily securing the health, safety, welfare and convenience of people and for the conservation of fuel and power. Standards and technical ap
stairsrampsguardingprotection-from-fallingNamed Standards Referenced in Technical Booklet H
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Where this Technical Booklet makes reference to a named standard, the relevant version of the standard is the one listed in the Appendix. However, if this version has been replaced or updated by the i
stairsrampsguardingprotection-from-fallingUse of Diagrams in Technical Booklet H
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The diagrams in this Technical Booklet supplement the text. They do not show all the details of construction and are not intended to illustrate compliance with any other requirement of the Building Re
stairsrampsguardingprotection-from-fallingProtected Buildings and Building Regulations Compliance
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
District councils have a duty to take account of the desirability to preserve the character of protected buildings when carrying out their functions under Building Regulations. Therefore, where work i
stairsrampsguardingprotection-from-fallingconservationOther Legislation: Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993 (the Workplace Regulations) contain some requirements which affect building design. The main requirements are now covered
stairsrampsguardingprotection-from-fallingnon-domesticcommercialWorkplace Regulations applicability to common parts of flats
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The Workplace Regulations apply to the common parts of flats and similar buildings if people such as cleaners, wardens and caretakers are employed to work in these common parts. Where the requirements
flatsnon-domesticcommon-partsPart H Application and Interpretation
Regulation 54NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
54.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (6), this Part shall apply to any building or part of a building. (2) The requirements of regulation 56 shall only apply where a stair, ladder or a ramp and landi
stairsrampsguardingprotection-from-fallingExemptions from regulation 57(2) for vehicle ramps and garages
regulation 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
dwellinggaragesExemptions from regulation 59
regulation 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.
dwellingApplication of regulation 60 to dwellings
regulation 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.
dwellingDefinition of infrequent access
regulation 57(7)NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
For the purposes of this Part access to any place is infrequent if it takes place on average on less than one occasion a month during the course of a year.
accessDefinitions of key terms
regulation 57(8)NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
In this Part— "Balcony" includes a gallery; "Barrier" includes a wall or screen; "Flight" means that part of a stair or ladder between landings that has a step or a continuous series of steps; "Ladder
stairsrampsProvision of stairs in dwellings
55NI-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
dwellingstairsSafety requirements for stairs, ladders, ramps and landings
56NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
In a building or within the boundary of a building a stair, ladder and a ramp and its landings, shall offer reasonable safety to people using them.
stairsrampsprotection-from-fallingGuarding of elevated surfaces and means of escape routes
57NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A stair, ladder, ramp, floor, balcony, landing, platform and any roof or other place to which people normally have access (including access for the purpose of maintenance) and a sunken area next to a
stairsrampsprotection-from-fallingmeans-of-escapeVehicle loading bay design
58NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A vehicle loading bay shall be designed and constructed to minimise the risk of people in it from being struck by a vehicle.
non-domesticprotection-from-fallingProtection against impact from and trapping by doors
59NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
In any building a door or gate which— (a) is across a main route of travel; or (b) can be pushed open from either side, shall have a means to ensure that people approaching it have a clear view of the
protection-from-fallingnon-domesticdwellingpublic-buildingProtection from collision with open windows, skylights or ventilators
60NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Reasonable provision shall be made to minimise the risk of people colliding with an open window, skylight or ventilator when moving in or about a building.
protection-from-fallingglazingdwellingnon-domesticpublic-buildingScope of Part H requirements for stairs, ramps and landings
0.1NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Provisions for accessibility to and within a building are given in Part R. Provisions for fire safety are given in Part E. A stair or a ramp and its landings provided – (a) so that people may move to,
stairsrampsPerformance standard for stairs, ramps and landings
0.2NI-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
stairsrampsprotection-from-fallingScope of Section 2 guidance
0.3NI-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-domesticScope of Sections 3 and 4 guidance
0.4NI-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-domesticScope of Guidance on Spiral and Helical Stairs and Maintenance Access
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.
dwellingnon-domesticstairsprotection-from-fallingScope of Guidance on Ramps
Section 4NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The guidance in Section 4 deals with various aspects of the geometry and safety features of ramps and their landings.
rampsGuarding Performance Requirements
0.5NI-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-fallingguardingIntroduction to Section 5: Guarding and Protection from Falling
0.6NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The guidance in Section 5 is concerned with reducing the risk of people falling from a height. This includes provisions for guarding flights, ramps, landings and raised floors. This Section also conta
protection-from-fallingstairsrampsVehicle Loading Bays Performance Requirements
0.7NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
It is the view of the Department that the requirements of regulation 58 in Part H will be met if, in order to reduce the risk to the safety of people in or about buildings, loading bays are provided w
protection-from-fallingIntroduction to Section 6: Vehicle Loading Bays
0.8NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The guidance in Section 6 deals specifically with reducing the risk to the safety of people in loading bays. This includes the provision of suitable exits or refuges which enable people to avoid being
protection-from-fallingProtection against impact from and trapping by doors
0.9NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
It is the view of the Department that the requirements of regulation 59 in Part H will be met if, measures are taken to prevent doors and gates presenting a safety hazard whenever they are opening or
protection-from-fallingsafetyIntroduction to provisions on door and gate safety
0.10NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The guidance in Section 7 deals with reducing the risk of people being struck by, or trapped by, doors or gates when they are opening or closing.
safetyProtection from collision with open windows, skylights or ventilators
0.11NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
It is the view of the Department that the requirements of regulation 60 in Part H will be met if windows, skylights or ventilators can be left open without the danger of people colliding with them. Th
protection-from-fallingglazingventilationIntroduction to provisions on window and skylight collision protection
0.12NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The guidance in Section 8 is specifically concerned with reducing the risk of people colliding with open windows, skylights or ventilators.
protection-from-fallingglazingDefinitions
1.1NI-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 co
dwellingstairsrampsguardingprotection-from-fallingDefinition: Surface width
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Surface width – the width of a stair or ramp, measured at the tread of a step or the surface of a ramp, between any enclosing walls, strings, upstands, kerbs or guarding.
stairsrampsDefinition: Tapered tread
NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Tapered tread – a tread which has a greater width at one side than at the other and a going which changes at a constant rate throughout its length.
stairsVisual contrast requirements
1.2NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Visual contrast is the perception of a difference visually between one element of a building and another by reference to their light reflectance values. Light reflectance value (LRV) is the total quan
stairsrampsaccessibilityguardingDiagram 1.1: Measuring rise and going
Diagram 1.1NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Diagram 1.1 Measuring rise and going showing open rise and closed rise conditions, with going dimension to be measured from nosing to nosing, treads should overlap at least 16 mm, and notation for ris
stairsSection 2: Access routes to buildings - General guidance
2.1NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Section 2 gives guidance on appropriate levels of safety and convenience for all users where a ramp or a ramp and complementary steps are to be provided as an access route or part of an access route t
rampsaccessaccessibilitySection 2: Subsection organization
2.2NI-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.
rampsaccessdwellingnon-domesticRamps on access routes to non-dwelling buildings
2.3NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Ramps on access routes should comply with the provisions given in paragraphs 4.14 to 4.25. See Diagram 2.1. However, where an external ramp has a crossfall, that crossfall should have a maximum gradie
non-domesticrampsaccessDesign considerations for ramped approaches with complementary steps
2.4-2.5NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Visually impaired people risk tripping or losing their balance if there is no warning that there is a change in level. Tripping is most hazardous at the head of a flight of steps when a person is desc
non-domesticrampsstairsaccessaccessibilityComplementary steps - rise and going dimensions
2.6NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Steps should have a uniform – (a) rise of not less than 150 mm and not more than 170 mm; and (b) going of not less than 280 mm and not more than 425 mm.
stairsaccessComplementary steps - flight length limits
2.7NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A flight of steps should have not less than 2 rises or more than – (a) 12 rises where the going of each step is less than 350 mm; or (b) 18 rises where the going of each step is 350 mm or more.
stairsaccessComplementary steps - surface width
2.8NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A flight should have a surface width of not less than that given in paragraph 3.32.
stairsaccessComplementary steps - additional compliance requirements
2.9NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Steps should also comply with the guidance given in paragraphs 3.33 to 3.35.
stairsaccessComplementary steps - handrails
2.10NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
To assist a person who is weaker on one side and a visually impaired person, steps should have a suitable continuous handrail on each side complying with the provisions of paragraphs 3.37 to 3.43.
stairsaccessaccessibility