Performance standard for stairs, ramps and landings

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 correlation between ease of use and safety, a stair or ramp that offers passage without undue effort or exertion further reduces the potential for an incident that may result in injury. An appropriate level of safety can be achieved by different standards of provision, depending on the circumstances; for example, in a building to which the public are admitted, the standard of provision may be higher than in a dwelling, to reflect the lesser familiarity and greater number of users. Where access is required only for the purpose of maintenance, greater care can be expected from those gaining access, and it would be reasonable that less demanding provisions could satisfy the requirement.