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Exemptions 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.
dwellingProvision 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
dwellingstairsProtection 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 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-fallingDefinitions
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-fallingSection 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-domesticRamped 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
dwellingaccessstairsCommon Provisions for Private and Common Stairs in Dwellings
3.2NI-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.
dwellingstairsflatsStair Headroom Requirements
3.9NI-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
stairsdwellingRise and Going Dimensions by Stair Category
Table 3.1NI-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* | 220* A common stair in a block of dwellings | 75
stairsflatsdwellingnon-domesticPitch of private stairs
3.12NI-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.
dwellingstairsprivate-stairWidth of flights in private and common stairs
3.13NI-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.
dwellingflatsstairsprivate-staircommon-stairTable 3.2: Widths of flights in private and common stairs
Table 3.2NI-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 a
dwellingflatsstairsprivate-staircommon-stairDiagram 3.4: Measuring stair width
Diagram 3.4NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Diagram 3.4 Measuring the width of a private stair and a common stair in a block of dwellings W = unobstructed widths Minor intrusions such as string/skirting and newel may be ignored.
dwellingflatsstairsprivate-staircommon-stairOpen rises in private stairs
3.14NI-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-fallingCommon stair step construction in dwellings
3.15NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
A common stair in a block of dwellings should have steps with rises that are not open, step nosings which are distinguishable, through permanent contrasting brightness and have a suitable profile such
flatsdwellingstairsNumber of rises per flight
3.16NI-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
dwellingstairsLanding provision and dimensions
3.17NI-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
dwellingflatsstairsLanding obstruction and door swing requirements
3.18NI-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
dwellingstairsLanding exemption for external flights with low rise
3.19NI-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 ste
stairsprotection-from-fallingdwellingexternal-spaceHandrails on private and common stairs
3.24NI-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 –
dwellingflatsstairsprotection-from-fallingHandrails on entrance and principal storey stairs in dwellings
3.25NI-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
dwellingstairsprotection-from-fallingHandrails not required at bottom of private stairs
3.26NI-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.
dwellingstairsSpiral or helical stairs in dwellings
3.44NI-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.
dwellingstairsRamp gradient in dwellings
4.2NI-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.
dwellingrampsWidth of ramps
4.3NI-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.
rampsdwellingMaximum length of ramps on plan
4.4NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
The length of a ramp measured on plan, should not exceed 10 m. See Diagram 4.1.
rampsdwellingLandings at ramp terminations
4.5NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Landings should be level and be provided at the top and bottom of a ramp. See Diagram 4.1. The width and length of a landing should be not less than the width of the ramp. Part of a floor may be consi
rampsdwellingRamp and landing clearance from obstructions
4.6NI-wide·Technical Booklet H Stairs Ramps Guarding and Protection from Impact
Ramps should be clear of obstructions and landings should be clear of obstructions other than those described in paragraph 3.18.
rampsdwellingHeadroom over ramps and landings
4.7NI-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
rampsdwellingExceptions to guarding requirements
5.1NI-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-domesticstairsMinimum height and strength of guarding
Table 5.1NI-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 with
protection-from-fallingguardingdwellingcommercialnon-domesticpublic-buildingGuarding of spiral or helical stairs in a dwelling
5.7NI-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