Maximum length of a flight of stairs
Approved Document K requires that dwellings with more than 36 risers in consecutive flights of stairs, have at least one change of direction, with a landing that has a minimum length equal to the width of the stairs.
For buildings other than dwellings, the maximum number of risers between landings is 16 for utility stairs, and 12 for general access stairs (or 16 in exceptional circumstances where the plan area is restricted). There should not be any single steps.
A utility stair is '...a stair used for escape, access for maintenance, or purposes other than as the usual route for moving between levels on a day-to-day basis.'
A general access is '...a stair intended for all users of a building on a day-to-day basis, as a normal route between levels.’
The requirements for the rise and going of stairs are set out below:
| Min rise (mm) | Max rise (mm) | Min going (mm) | Max going (mm) | |
| Private stair | 150 | 220 | 220 | 300 |
| Utility stair | 150 | 190 | 250 | 400 |
| General access stair | 150 | 170 | 250 | 400 |
This gives, for example, a maximum pitch for a private stair of 42 degrees.
The normal relationship between the rise and the going is that 2 x the rise + the going should be between 550mm and 700mm.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”