Stair design

In designing staircases, in particular residential work, thought must be given to access for furniture. Spiral staircases for instance are a real problem for bedroom furniture and windows may not have big enough openings for alternative access.

The regulations regarding stair width for communal stairs in blocks of flats is so confusing.

Starting with Part M, section M4(1) paragraph 1.12 says:

1.12 The principal communal stairs that give access to the dwelling should comply with one of the following:

- Where the dwelling is on an upper floor and does not have lift access, the stair meets the requirements of Part K for a general access stair.

- Where the dwelling is on an upper floor and does have lift access, the stair meets the requirements of Part K for a utility stair.

However, if we go to Part K, section 1, there is no specification of stair width for communal stairs in blocks of flats. Under “Width of flights of stairs” we only have two options:

For buildings other than dwellings

1.14 For stairs that form part of means of escape, refer to Approved Document B: Fire safety, Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwelling houses.

1.15 For flights of stairs which do not form part of the means of escape, provide all of the following.

- A minimum stair width between enclosing walls, strings or upstands of 1200mm.

- A minimum width between handrails of 1000mm.

For dwellings

1.16 In exceptional circumstances where severely sloping plots are involved, a stepped change of level within the entrance storey may be unavoidable. In those instances ensure that stairs within the entrance storey of a dwelling have flights with a minimum stair width of 900mm.

So paragraph 1.14 refers us to Part B, and under Part B Means of Escape from Flats, Width of common stairs, it says:

2.33 A stair of acceptable width for everyday use will be suf cient for escape purposes, but if it is also a fire-fighting stair, it should be at least 1100mm wide (see Appendix C for measurement of width).

So we know from Appendix C that stair width in Part B is defined as being "clear width between the walls or balustrades”.

But, the question is, what is an "acceptable width for everyday use”?

--Needleandmortar 11:25, 11 Aug 2017 (BST)

To muddy the waters a little more there's Part K1 paragraph 1.18 which is headed up "For buildings other than dwellings and common access areas in buildings that contain flats". Now, does that mean "other than common access areas in buildings that contain flats" or does it mean "for common access areas in buildings that contain flats". I interpret it as the former.

--Needleandmortar 11:40, 11 Aug 2017 (BST)

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