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Definition 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.
accessSection 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.
stairsaccessaccessibilityDiagram 2.1 - Ramped approach with complementary steps - key dimensions
Diagram 2.1NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Ramped approach with complementary steps A length of ramp(s) - maximum length of ramp - 10 m where the gradient is 1 in 20 B surface width of ramp(s) - not less than 1500 mm C landing length at top an
stairsrampsaccessaccessibilityRamped approach to dwellings
2.13NI-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
dwellingaccessrampsStepped approach to dwellings
2.14NI-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
dwellingaccessstairsHandrail dimensions for stepped approach
2.15NI-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
dwellingaccessstairsSection 3: Stairs - General Scope
3.1NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
This Section gives guidance on appropriate levels of safety and convenience for all users where a stair is to be provided so that people can move between levels or storeys in a building. Provisions ar
stairsaccessCommon Provisions for Other Stairs
3.3NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A stair, other than a private stair or a common stair in a block of dwellings, should comply with the provisions of paragraphs 3.4 to 3.11 and 3.29 to 3.43.
stairsnon-domesticaccessStair Pitch Control and Measurement
3.4NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The pitch of a flight is controlled by limiting the rise and the going. Diagram 3.1 shows how to measure the pitch and what is meant by the pitch line. Diagram 1.1 shows how to measure the rise and go
stairsaccessGeneral guidance on ramps as means of circulation
4.1NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
This Section gives guidance on appropriate levels of safety and convenience for all users where a ramp is to be provided as a means of circulation within a building.
rampsaccessLandings for ramps
4.11NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Landings should be level with an unobstructed length of not less than 1200 mm.
rampsaccessHeadroom for ramps and landings
4.12NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Ramps and associated landings should have a clear headroom of not less than 2000 mm over the length and width of the ramp. Headroom is measured vertically from the slope of the ramp and the level of t
rampsaccessHandrails on ramps
4.13NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A ramp should have a suitable continuous handrail on each side if the horizontal length of the ramp is more than 2000 mm. Handrails should be at a height between 900 mm and 1000 mm measured vertically
rampsguardingaccessRamp gradients in non-dwelling buildings
4.14NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Gradients of ramps should be as shallow as practicable as steep gradients may not be safe or convenient for all people. The following provisions apply to a ramp which is not in a dwelling or in a bloc
rampsnon-domesticaccessaccessibilityMaximum length and gradient of ramps in non-dwelling buildings
4.15NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The maximum length of a ramp is dependent upon its gradient. Table 4.1 gives the maximum length of a ramp for a given gradient. There may be exceptional circumstances where a different gradient of ram
rampsnon-domesticaccessTable 4.1 - Maximum length and rise of ramps
Table 4.1NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Table 4.1 Maximum length and rise of ramps Gradient of ramp | Maximum length of ramp (m) | Maximum rise of ramp (mm) 1:20 | 10 | 500 1:19 | 9 | 474 1:18 | 8 | 444 1:17 | 7 | 412 1:16 | 6 | 375 1:15 |
rampsnon-domesticaccessWidth of ramps
4.16NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A ramp or ramps and landings should have a surface width of not less than 1500 mm. Where a handrail protrudes into the surface width of a ramp by more than 100 mm the surface width should be increase
rampsaccessaccessibilityConstruction of ramps
4.17NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The surface of a ramp should – (a) be firm; (b) reduce the risk of slipping; and (c) be distinguishable, through suitable visual contrast, from that of its landings. A ramp and its landings should ha
rampsaccessaccessibilityRaised kerbs on ramps
4.18NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A ramp should have a raised kerb on any open side (except where it would obstruct normal use). The raised kerb should – (a) be not less than 100 mm high; and (b) be distinguishable, through suitable v
rampsaccessaccessibilityprotection-from-fallingLandings for wheelchair users
4.19NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Wheelchair users need adequate space to stop on landings, to open and pass through doors without having to reverse into circulation routes and to avoid the risk of rolling back down slopes. A landing
rampsaccessibilityaccessIntermediate landings between multiple ramps
4.20NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Where the ramped access or circulation route consists of three or more ramps, the intermediate landings between each ramp should have an unobstructed length of not less than 1800 mm and a surface widt
rampsaccessibilityaccessLine of sight on ramps
4.21NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Where a ramp does not have a clear line of sight between its top and bottom landings, it should be divided into two ramps such that there is a clear line of sight between the intermediate landing and
rampsaccessibilityaccessHeadroom over ramps and landings
4.22NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Ramps and associated landings should have a clear headroom of not less than 2000 mm over the length and width of the ramp. Headroom is measured vertically from the slope of the ramp and the level of
rampsaccessibilityaccessContinuous handrails on ramps
4.23NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A ramp or ramps and landings should have a suitable continuous handrail on each side complying with the provisions of paragraphs 3.39 to 3.43.
rampsaccessibilityaccessHandrail height
4.24NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A handrail should be at a height measured vertically of – (a) not less than 900 mm and not more than 1000 mm above the surface of a ramp; and (b) not less than 900 mm and not more than 1100 mm above t
rampsaccessibilityaccessHandrail extensions at changes of level
4.25NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
To give warning of a change in level i.e. the start or finish of a ramp, a handrail should extend horizontally for a distance of not less than 300 mm along the top and bottom landings of a ramp except
rampsaccessibilityaccessZones of visibility for doors and gates on main routes
7.1NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A door or gate – (a) across a main route of travel; or (b) which can be pushed open from either side, should have, towards the leading edge of the door leaf, zones of visibility as shown in Diagram 7.
protection-from-fallingaccessZones of visibility for adjacent side panels
7.2NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Any side panel that is more than 450 mm wide and is adjacent to a door or gate, that is required by paragraph 7.1 to have zones of visibility, should also have zones of visibility. See Diagram 7.1.
protection-from-fallingaccessSafety requirements for power-operated doors and gates for pedestrian use
7.5NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A power operated door or gate designed and constructed for pedestrian use should – (a) incorporate a safety stop or door re-activating device to prevent the door striking a person passing through if t
protection-from-fallingaccessDiagram 7.1 - Zones of visibility dimensions
Diagram 7.1NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Zones of visibility shown at: 500 mm, 800 mm, 1150 mm, 1500 mm heights, each with not less than 150 mm minimum zones of visibility. Side panels more than 450 mm wide also require minimum zones of visi
protection-from-fallingaccess