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Visual 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
stairsrampsaccessibilityguardingSection 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
rampsaccessaccessibilityDesign 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 - 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
stairsrampsaccessaccessibilityTactile corduroy surface on complementary steps landings
2.11NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
To give advance warning of the change in level, a tactile corduroy surface should be provided on the top and bottom landings of complementary steps. See Diagram 2.2. The size of this surface should be
stairsaccessibilityprotection-from-fallingTactile corduroy surface on intermediate landings
2.12NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Where there is access onto any intermediate landing from other than the complementary steps, a tactile corduroy surface 400 mm deep should be provided in accordance with Diagram 2.3 (b) or (c).
stairsaccessibilityprotection-from-fallingCorduroy tactile warning surface tile specification
Diagram 2.2NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Corduroy tactile warning surface tiles: 20 mm rib profile tile, 20 mm rib, 30 mm gap, 6 mm overall height
stairsaccessibilityprotection-from-fallingDiagram 2.3 - Complementary Steps Tactile Warnings
Diagram 2.3NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Diagram 2.3 Complementary steps - tactile warnings (a) external steps showing side access onto intermediate landing and having not less than 800 mm from the access to the top and bottom of flights -
stairsprotection-from-fallingaccessibilityexternal-spaceStep nosing visual contrast
3.33NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
So a visually impaired person can appreciate the extent of the stair and identify individual treads, steps should have step nosings which are distinguishable through suitable permanent visual contrast
non-domesticstairsaccessibilityHandrail Height Requirements
3.39NI-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 pitch of a flight; and (b) not less than 900 mm and not more than 1100 mm, above
stairsaccessibilityHandrail Visual Contrast
3.42NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The surface of a handrail should be distinguishable through suitable visual contrast from the background against which it is seen.
stairsaccessibilityHandrail Profile and Grip Design
3.43NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Handrails should allow users to make a power grip around the whole handrail. A non-circular handrail with a broad horizontal face is as easy to grip as a circular handrail and gives better hand and fo
stairsaccessibilitySuitable handrail profiles
Diagram 3.10NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Non-circular handrail: 50 mm wide with rounded edges. Circular handrail: 40-50 mm diameter. Not less than 50 mm clearance from side wall or guarding. Not more than 50 mm radius for minimum dimensions.
stairsrampsaccessibilityHandrails for ramps
4.8NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A ramp or a series of ramps with a total rise of more than 600 mm should have a continuous handrail that gives firm support and a firm grip – (a) on at least one side where the ramp is 1000 mm wide or
rampsguardingaccessibilityLength and gradient of ramps in common areas of dwelling blocks
4.9NI-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.
rampsflatsaccessibilityWidth of ramps in common areas of dwelling blocks
4.10NI-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.
rampsflatsaccessibilityRamp 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-domesticaccessaccessibilityWidth 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
rampsaccessibilityaccessChild safety in guarding for buildings used by young children
5.6NI-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-fallingguardingaccessibility