Stairs going
Approved Document K - Protection from falling, collision and impact defines the ‘going’ of stairs as the depth from front to back of a tread, less any overlap with the next tread above.
NB: For ramps the going is the length of the ramp between landings.
The steepness, rise and going, handrails, headroom, length and width of stairs should afford reasonable safety to people gaining access to and moving about buildings.
The standard of provision needed to give an acceptable level of safety for access and use depends on the circumstances. It may need to be higher in a public building than in a dwelling, because people may not be familiar with the building and there may be more users. A lower standard may be acceptable where access is required only for maintenance, because greater care can be expected from the people requiring to gain access.
[Image: measuring rise and going]
Treads should be level and the rise and going of each step should be consistent throughout a flight of steps.
[Image: rise and going minimum and maximum values]
For tapered treads, consecutive tapered treads, should use the same going. If a stair consists of straight and tapered treads, the going of the tapered treads should not be less than the going of the straight treads.
[Image: measuring tapered treads]
Requirements for alternating stair treads are shown below.
[Image: alternating stair tread]
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
New project and cultural district described in detail.
The nature of EPCs, crticism and inaccuracies.
History, issues and redesign.
From waste recycling to energy performance the hierchy.
An introduction to WERCS and WEEE responsibilities
Dealing with 2 million tonnes of waste equipment a year.
Global BACS Market: analytics and optimisation
A BSRIA glance at building automation and control systems.
What it is and how to use it.
Types of insulating plaster by binder and insulant.
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.