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Justification and amplification for accessible environment policy
9.4.9, 9.4.10Belfast·LDP Plan Strategy 2035 (adopted 2023)
This policy aims to create a more accessible environment for everyone, including people with disabilities. Ease of access must be considered early in the design process and must consider both the insi
accessaccessibilityrampsstairsEscape Stairs in Case of Fire
E33NI-wide·PPS 6 Planning Archaeology and the Built Heritage
The requirement for escape stairs may originate in a change of use or the need for a fire certificate. If additional stairs have to be provided then listed building consent will be required. The prefe
built-heritagelisted-buildingfire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsProtection of Listed Buildings during Building Works
E38NI-wide·PPS 6 Planning Archaeology and the Built Heritage
Protection is always necessary to a greater or lesser extent when work to a listed building is underway. This may be as little as providing a few dust sheets and sealing communicating doors to prevent
listed-buildingstairsExternal rear staircases as main entrances are unacceptable
3.1.84Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
External staircases at the back of the building, via a rear alleyway are not acceptable as the main entrance as they cause a loss of privacy for neighbouring properties. They would also fail to meet t
dwellingaccessstairsaccessibilityCorridors, stairwells and lifts - Dimensions and layout
3.2.10Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Corridors and stairwells should be wide enough to permit two people to pass one another comfortably. While the minimum standard for a corridor is 1200mm wide, a width of 1500mm is preferred to permit
flatsstairsaccessibilitymeans-of-escapeLimitations for notches and holes in floor and roof joists
Diagram 4B.1NI-wide·Technical Booklet D Structure
Diagram 4B.1 Limitations for notches and holes in floor and roof joists a) limits for notching positions within which notching may take place without a design check clear span: simply supported joist
structuralstairsInterruption of lateral support at openings
4C.26NI-wide·Technical Booklet D Structure
Where an opening in a floor or roof for a stairway or the like adjoins a supported wall and interrupts the continuity of lateral support, the following provisions should be made – (a) the maximum perm
structuralstairsProtected stairways as places of relative safety
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A protected stairway is considered to be a place of relative safety within which people can proceed at their own pace to a place of safety. Smoke and flames must be excluded from protected stairways b
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsFirefighting stairway
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Firefighting stairway – a protected stairway communicating with the accommodation area only through a firefighting lobby.
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairshrbhigh-riseProtected stairway
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Protected stairway – a stairway discharging through a final exit to a place of safety (including any exit passageway between the foot of the stair and the final exit) that is adequately enclosed with
fire-safetystairsmeans-of-escapeAccess rooms to habitable rooms on storeys above
2.8NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where a habitable room, by virtue of a stairway discharging into it, is an access room to a habitable room on the storey above – (a) the upper storey should be not more than 4.5 m above ground level;
dwellingmeans-of-escapestairsProvisions for dwellinghouse with one storey more than 4.5 m above ground level
2.12NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In a dwellinghouse with only one storey more than 4.5 m above ground level – (a) the top storey should – (i) be separated from the lower storeys by fire-resisting construction; and (ii) have an altern
dwellinghigh-risemeans-of-escapefire-safetystairsAdditional provisions for dwellinghouses with multiple storeys above 4.5 m
2.14NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In a dwellinghouse with two or more storeys more than 4.5 m above ground level – (a) all storeys above the storey containing the final exit should be served by a protected stairway which complies with
dwellinghigh-risefire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsDiagram 2.3: Alternative arrangements for final exits
Diagram 2.3NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Diagram 2.3 Alternative arrangements for final exits see para 2.12(b) and 2.18(a) & (b) (a) Protected stairway delivering directly to the final exit (b) Protected stairway affording access to two inde
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsEnclosure of existing stairway - general requirements
2.18NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The existing stairway should be enclosed by fire-resisting walls and either – (a) extend to a final exit as shown in Diagram 2.3(a); or (b) lead to at least two escape routes at ground level, each del
dwellingfire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsGlazing in existing stairway enclosure
2.19NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Any glazing (whether new or existing) in the enclosure of the existing stairway, other than to a bathroom or sanitary accommodation, should be fire-resisting. (See Tables 2.8, 4.1 and 4.2.)
dwellingfire-safetyglazingstairsDoors in existing stairway enclosure
2.20NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Other than where paragraph 2.18 requires a fire door, every doorway in the enclosure to the existing stairway should be fitted with an imperforate door. A door to a habitable room or a kitchen should
dwellingfire-safetystairsFire separation of new storey from existing building
2.21NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The new storey should be separated from the rest of the dwellinghouse by fire-resisting construction. The new stairway should either – (a) rise as a continuation of the existing stairway and enclosure
dwellingfire-safetystairsAccess between multiple storey exits
2.47NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In any storey which has more than one escape stairway the escape routes should be arranged so that people do not have to pass through one stairway to reach another. However, it is acceptable to pass t
means-of-escapefire-safetystairsCentral core storey exits planning
2.49NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A building with more than one storey exit in a central core should be planned so that the storey exits are remote from each other and not linked by a lift hall, lobby, or undivided corridor. Where the
means-of-escapefire-safetystairsExternal escape routes
2.58NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where an external escape route, other than a stair, is beside an external wall of the building, that part of the external wall within 1.8 m (measured horizontally) of the escape route should be of fir
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsVertical part of the escape route - Overview
2.60NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The provisions in paragraphs 2.61 to 2.76 relate to the vertical escape down or up escape stairways towards a final exit. They are mainly concerned with providing a sufficient number of escape stairs
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsNumber of escape stairways
2.61NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The number of escape stairways in a building, or part of a building is determined by the provisions in – (a) paragraph 2.39 regarding independent escape routes from areas in certain uses; (b) paragrap
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsSingle escape stairways
2.62NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where independent escape routes are not required from areas in different purpose groups, in accordance with paragraph 2.39, a single escape stairway may serve – (a) a basement which is permitted to ha
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsWidth of escape stairs
2.63NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
An escape stair should be wide enough to accommodate the appropriate number of people assessed as being likely to use it. This width depends on the number of stairways provided and whether the escape
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsTable 2.5: Minimum width of escape stairs
Table 2.5NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Table 2.5 Minimum width of escape stairs Situation of stair | Maximum number of people served(1) | Minimum stair width (mm) 1. In a Purpose Group 2(a) building (unless it will only be used by staff)
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsDiscounting of escape stairways
2.64NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Whether simultaneous or phased evacuation is used, where two or more escape stairways are provided it should be assumed that one of them may not be available due to fire or smoke. Therefore, each stai
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsSimultaneous evacuation requirements
2.65NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In a building or part of a building designed for simultaneous evacuation the escape stairways should have the capacity to allow all floors to be evacuated simultaneously and a suitable fire detection
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsEscape Stairway Capacity for Simultaneous Evacuation - Buildings Not More Than 10 Storeys
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where simultaneous evacuation is to be used the capacity of an escape stairway should be either – (i) in a building of not more than 10 storeys and for basements – that given for the appropriate width
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsEscape Stairway Capacity Formula for Buildings More Than 10 Storeys
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
(ii) in a building of more than 10 storeys – that derived from the formula – P = 200w + 50(w – 0.3)(n – 1) for stairs not less than 1100 mm wide, where P = the number of people that can be accommodate
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairshigh-riseTable 2.6 - Capacity of Escape Stairways for Simultaneous Evacuation
Table 2.6NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Table 2.6 Capacity of escape stairways for simultaneous evacuation Number of floors served: 1-10 Maximum number of people accommodated on one stair of width: 1000 mm: 1-150, 2-190, 3-230, 4-270, 5-31
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsWorked Example: Stair Width Calculation for 12-Storey Office Building with Even Population Distribution
Worked examples (a)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A building comprises 12 storeys of offices (ground + 11). What is the minimum width needed for the stairs serving the office floors with a population of 1200 people (excluding the ground floor populat
non-domestichigh-risestairsmeans-of-escapeWorked Example: Stair Width Calculation for 12-Storey Office Building with Uneven Population Distribution - Lower Floors
Worked examples (b)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The population is not distributed evenly (e.g. 1000 people occupy floors 1 to 9, and 200 occupy floors 10 to 11). As the top office storey is at a height greater than 18 m, both stairs need added prot
non-domestichigh-risestairsmeans-of-escapeWorked Example: Stair Width Calculation for 12-Storey Office Building with Uneven Population Distribution - Upper Floors
Worked examples (b)(i)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
To find the width of the stairs serving floors 10 to 11 – P = 200/2 = 100, n = 2 From the formula – 100 = 200w + 50(w - 0.3)(2 - 1) 100 = 200w + (50w - 15)(1) 100 = 200w + 50w - 15 115 = 250w w = 0.46
non-domestichigh-risestairsmeans-of-escapeStair width calculation example for floors 1-9
2.65(ii)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
To find the width of the stairs serving floors 1 to 9 – P = 1200/2 = 600, n = 9 From the formula: 600 = 200w + 50 (w - 0.3) (9 - 1) 600 = 200w + (50w - 15) (8) 600 = 200w + 400w - 120 720 = 600w w = 1
stairsmeans-of-escapehrbRequirements for phased evacuation buildings
2.66(a)-(g)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In such a building, or part of a building – (a) every escape stairway should be approached through a protected lobby or protected corridor at each storey, other than at a top storey consisting exclusi
means-of-escapefire-safetyhrbhigh-risestairsaccessibilityMinimum stair width for phased evacuation
Table 2.7NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The minimum width of a stair for phased evacuation should be that given in Table 2.7 for the appropriate maximum number of people on the most heavily occupied storey. Table 2.7 Minimum width of escap
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsnon-domesticPhased evacuation stair width calculation for populations over 190
Table 2.7 Note (1)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where the number of people (P) on the most heavily occupied storey is more than 190, the minimum width of the escape stair (W mm) should be calculated from W = (P x 10) – 100.
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsnon-domesticStair width limitation for storeys above 30 m
Table 2.7 Note (2)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where the stair serves a storey more than 30 m above ground level the width should not exceed 1400 mm [see paragraph 2.63(d)].
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairshigh-risenon-domesticProtection of escape stairways
2.67NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
An escape stairway requires protection in order that it may provide an area of relative safety during a fire evacuation. The provisions for protecting an internal escape stairway are given in paragrap
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsUnprotected stairways in small buildings
2.68NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
An unprotected stairway may be used as an escape stairway in a small building provided that – (a) the building is of Purpose Group 3 or 4 and is not used for bar or restaurant purposes; (b) the buildi
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsnon-domesticProtected lobbies and protected corridors
2.69NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A protected lobby or protected corridor should be provided to every escape stairway on every storey in a building other than the top storey where – (a) the escape stairway is the only escape stairway
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsventilationExits from protected stairways
2.70NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Every protected stairway should discharge either – (a) directly to a final exit; or (b) to a protected exit passageway leading only to a final exit. Where the stairway is lobbied, any door openings in
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsnon-domesticSeparation of adjoining protected stairways and protected exit passageways
2.71NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where two or more protected stairways or protected exit passageways adjoin they should be separated by an imperforate enclosure.
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsnon-domesticUse of space within protected stairways
2.72NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A protected stairway, other than a firefighting stairway (see Section 6), should not contain any accommodation or services other than – (a) sanitary accommodation or wash rooms provided that they are
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsnon-domesticBasement stairways
2.73NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where an escape stairway forms part of the only escape route from an upper storey of a building (or part of a building) it should not serve a basement storey. Where there is more than one escape stair
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsnon-domesticExternal walls adjacent to protected stairways
2.74NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where a protected stairway projects beyond, is recessed from, or is in an internal angle of the external walls of the building – the distance between any unprotected areas (see Section 5) in the adjac
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsExternal escape stairs
2.75NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where more than one escape route is available from a storey (or part of a building), one or more than one, of those routes may be by way of an external escape stair provided that – (a) there is at lea
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairspublic-buildingnon-domesticExternal stairs as part of escape routes - weather protection and fire-resisting construction
2.76NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where an external stair is part of an escape route – (a) the stair should be protected from the weather when it serves a floor or flat roof more than 6 m above ground level. The degree of protection f
fire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsglazingConstruction of escape stairs – materials of limited combustibility
2.93NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Other than in a dwellinghouse every escape stair and its associated landings should be constructed of materials of limited combustibility where – (a) it is the only stair serving the building (or part
fire-safetystairsmeans-of-escapenon-domestic