Width of doors stairs and escape routes
The building regulations Approved Document B2, ‘Fire safety: Buildings other than dwellinghouses’, suggests that the width of:
- A door (or doorway) is the clear width when the door is open (see Diagram C1);
- An escape route is the width at 1,500 mm above floor level when defined by walls or, elsewhere, the minimum width of passage available between any fixed obstructions;
- A stair is the clear width between the walls or balustrades.
In the case of escape routes and stairs, handrails and strings which do not intrude more than 100 mm into these widths may be ignored (see Diagram C1).
The rails used for guiding a stair-lift may be ignored when considering the width of a stair. However, it is important that the chair or carriage is able to be parked in a position that does not cause an obstruction to either the stair or landing.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Partnership avoids the need for listed building consent.
Connecting building design from inception to completion to operations.
Gregor Harvie predicts interoperability will be construction’s Uber moment.
ICE's State of the Nation 2020
Expert commentary and insight.
Guidance offered for stained glass window maintenance.
Define need before determining viability.
Adding civility to civil engineering
Framework examines social value of projects.
An open ended procurement method
RfX or Request for [fill in the blank].
Organisation establishes Equality, Diversity, Inclusion taskforce.
The new deal for infrastructure
Government announces plans for new building projects.
Outsourcing method to procure and manage supplies.
Joint support of Local Authority Historic Environment and Conservation Services.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is an outstanding achievement.
Buildings of the interwar years. Book review.
Protecting irreplaceable heritage
Ireland’s climate change sectoral adaptation plan.