Headroom in buildings and other structures
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
In a building, headroom is the clear, vertical height (vertical clearance) which exists from the top surface of a floor to the underside of a:
Between two floors, the headroom is the clear vertical space between the two decks, from the top of the finished floor level of the lower deck, to the underside of the soffit of the upper deck. Low headroom may increase the likelihood of injury or the difficulty of manoeuvring large objects.
The headroom may or may not be sufficient to allow people to pass under easily. If not sufficient, it will not be possible to pass through without crouching or striking the top surface.
[edit] Stairs
On a flight of stairs, the headroom is the vertical distance between the pitch line (or nosing line) and the ceiling, taking into account any bulkheads. Approved Document K of the Building Regulations (section 1.11, diagram 1.3) stipulates a minimum headroom of 2m for all building types – whether on the stairs or on a landing.
[edit] Tunnels and bridges
Headroom may also refer to the clear, vertical height from a road’s top surface to the underside of a bridge or to the crown of a tunnel (or the ceiling of some buildings such as car parks). A sign indicating ‘low headroom’ warns that some vehicles may not be able to pass through without hitting the underside of the structure. In these cases, the clear height of the available headroom will be displayed, and there may be additional warning signs in advance of the low headroom or barriers to try to prevent impact.
[edit] Culverts and outflows
Culvert, screen and outfall manual, (CIRIA C786) published by CIRIA in 2019, defines headroom as the: ‘Vertical gap between the water surface and the roof (soffit) of a culvert or outfall to allow for floating debris (also known as air draught).’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Specifying rendered external wall insulation for fire safety
How to interrogate the evidence provided to the specifier.
The benefits of writing articles for your organisation
How to create a profile for your organisation and publish for free.
No Falls Week. The importance of safe working at height
What to expect and what is on offer to avoid accidents.
Scottish Government action to reach net-zero targets
Retrofit expert group highlight critical actions needed.
A forward thinking, inclusive global community of members.
From engineered product life-spans, to their extension.
Circular economy in the built environment
A brief description from 2021. Where are we now?
Mental Health Awareness Week with ABS
Architects Benevolent Society programme of activity.
CLC publishes domestic retrofit competency framework
Roadmap of Skills for net zero.
May 13-19: Moving more for our mental health.
Understanding is key to conservation.
Open industry engagement survey seeks responses
Institutions and the importance of engagement.
National Retrofit Hub unveils new guide
Digital Building Logbooks and Retrofit: An Introduction.
Enhancing construction site reporting efficiency
Through digitisation and the digital revolution.