UK Staircase Regulations: What do I need to know?

The foundation of staircase and guardrail design is based on not only safety, but also compliance with building regulations. In this article, we will cover the basics of staircase regulations such as: dimensions, angles, headroom and handrails.

Our team is experienced in designing around the limitations and stipulations created by regulation compliance. If you are unsure of the requirements, our design team can help.

Rise Up and Get Going

Regulations for a private stair (domestic dwelling) stipulates: Regulations for a private stair (domestic dwelling) stipulates: Going of between 220-300mm Rise of between 150-220mm  Relationship between the two where 2R + G equals between 550-700mm

Open & Closed Risers An open riser is a stair where there is open space between two treads, vertically. In buildings other than dwellings, open risers are generally not permitted. A dwelling may have open risers if they follow the below regulations: Minimum of 16mm tread overlap Construction that stops a 100mm sphere from passing through the open riser.

Closed risers, on the other hand, must have a maximum nosing overhang of 25mm. (A nosing is the overhanging front edge on a step).

A flush tread profile is permitted, more often in a private domestic dwelling, though it does reduce visibility of the tread placement for the user. This is worth taking into account, even if it is legally permitted.

Above: Examples of accepted tread profiles with closed risers. Note that a flush tread profile is permitted (left), usually in a private domestic dwelling. However, this does reduce visibility of the tread placement for the user. This is worth taking into account, even if it is legally permitted.

Staircase Consistency Stair construction must be consistent in the following ways: Treads must be level Goings should be consistent and equal Rises should be consistent and equal If a stair consists of straight and tapered treads, the going of the tapered treads must not be less than going of the straight treads (more on this later)

Headroom

On access areas between levels, you must provide a minimum of 2 metres head height, as shown above.

Pitch

The pitch or angle of a staircase is limited to a maximum of 42° in private (domestic) staircases.

Staircase Width

It may come as a surprise, but there is no fixed minimum width for domestic dwellings. That being said, in a severely sloping plot with a stepped change of level in the entrance, the stairs should be a minimum of 900mm wide.

For buildings other than dwellings, a minimum width between walls, strings or upstands of 1200mm is required. (With a minimum of 1000mm between handrails.

A public staircase should be no wider than 2000mm. By dividing the stair with extra handrails, you can have a wider stair with widths of 1000mm between handrails. (See below)

Landings for Stairs Landing must be provided both at the top and bottom of a staircase A landing should have a width and length at least as great as the smallest width of the flight. landing must be level, except for when the landing at a bottom of a flight is formed by the ground: where it may have a maximum gradient of 1:60 Buildings other than dwellings must have an unobstructed length at a minimum of 1200mm on each landing.

Winder Stairs & Tapered Treads Winder stairs with tapered treads are often used to navigate a turn in a staircase, while still remaining safe and functional for the user.=

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