Staircase / Handrail regulations
Discussion
Hi,
Can anyone advise. I want to revamp an existing staircase. I plan on removing the existing handrail - its 60's style two planks which wouldn't meet current regs anyway. I see all these fancy staircases on Grand Designs and the like and they have the staircases open at the side. How do they get the building signed off by the building inspector??
I'm thinking of a stainless steel pole bannister rail at the wall side but would like the hall side open.
Thanks
Can anyone advise. I want to revamp an existing staircase. I plan on removing the existing handrail - its 60's style two planks which wouldn't meet current regs anyway. I see all these fancy staircases on Grand Designs and the like and they have the staircases open at the side. How do they get the building signed off by the building inspector??
I'm thinking of a stainless steel pole bannister rail at the wall side but would like the hall side open.
Thanks
Vron said:
I see all these fancy staircases on Grand Designs and the like and they have the staircases open at the side. How do they get the building signed off by the building inspector??
Airbags in the floor below.Seriously, if you're only revamping the staircase then don't invite the building inspector round if you're worried he'll disapprove. I used to live in a 70's house from the age of 14-18. We had an open staircase and not once did I manage to fall off.
The cat on the other hand......
No gap greater than 95mm (a baby's head) anywhere. That means between treads, balustrades, etc.
Handrail should be metre from treads I think. Can't remember that one.
All those fancy stairs with no sides did not pass building regs like that. You could always take the side off after he leaves, like I might have done with a fire door. Ahem.
Handrail should be metre from treads I think. Can't remember that one.
All those fancy stairs with no sides did not pass building regs like that. You could always take the side off after he leaves, like I might have done with a fire door. Ahem.
Vron said:
Hi,
Can anyone advise. I want to revamp an existing staircase. I plan on removing the existing handrail - its 60's style two planks which wouldn't meet current regs anyway. I see all these fancy staircases on Grand Designs and the like and they have the staircases open at the side. How do they get the building signed off by the building inspector??
I'm thinking of a stainless steel pole bannister rail at the wall side but would like the hall side open.
Thanks
I've always thought they are put up after filming. You may have to put them up to get Building Control approval, but once it's been signed off, there's nothing to stop you removing them. Obviously you have to be careful with children.Can anyone advise. I want to revamp an existing staircase. I plan on removing the existing handrail - its 60's style two planks which wouldn't meet current regs anyway. I see all these fancy staircases on Grand Designs and the like and they have the staircases open at the side. How do they get the building signed off by the building inspector??
I'm thinking of a stainless steel pole bannister rail at the wall side but would like the hall side open.
Thanks
From the building regs themselves:
Handrails for stairs
For all buildings
1.34 Provide handrails in accordance with all of the following.
a. Position the top of the handrail 900mm to 1000mm from the pitch line or floor.
b. The handrail may form the top of a guarding if you can match the heights.
c. If the stairs are 1000mm or wider: provide a handrail on both sides.
In other words, take them off once the building inspector's left
Handrails for stairs
For all buildings
1.34 Provide handrails in accordance with all of the following.
a. Position the top of the handrail 900mm to 1000mm from the pitch line or floor.
b. The handrail may form the top of a guarding if you can match the heights.
c. If the stairs are 1000mm or wider: provide a handrail on both sides.
In other words, take them off once the building inspector's left
IIRC from many many years ago..
900 - 1000 mm vertically above line of risers on stairs. Must have no space greater than 100 mm for kids to run through. Must be able to take a load of at least 360nm (for domestic use).
1100 mm high on level surfaces. Same rules apply regarding space between rails and loading.
900 - 1000 mm vertically above line of risers on stairs. Must have no space greater than 100 mm for kids to run through. Must be able to take a load of at least 360nm (for domestic use).
1100 mm high on level surfaces. Same rules apply regarding space between rails and loading.
We did this one last year, the 17.5mm toughened and laminated glass stair balustrade was 900mm above the pitch line and the treads were solid oak 95mm thick so with a 190mm rise 95mm gaps were within regs.
The wall handrails were set at 900mm above pitch line and we had agreement from building control that they did not have to be continuous.
Mezzanine balustrading was set at 1100mm high which is the requirement for public stairs but for domestic it can be at 900mm high, we’re just doing a similar staircase right now and the landing balustrade will be at around 950mm high.
The wall handrails were set at 900mm above pitch line and we had agreement from building control that they did not have to be continuous.
Mezzanine balustrading was set at 1100mm high which is the requirement for public stairs but for domestic it can be at 900mm high, we’re just doing a similar staircase right now and the landing balustrade will be at around 950mm high.
Just did ours
From this:
What shall one do with these lovely 60s stairs! by Joseph Foster, on Flickr
To this:
New Stairs by Joseph Foster, on Flickr
Thought about glass/oak - but its a smallish 1970s 3 bed ex council terrace. not worth it. Parts were ~£500 from Howdens. Only complexity was fitting new newel posts - the existing ones didn't sit over the stringer, they were offset, which doesn't work for this kind of ballustrade. Also had to "create" a 1.5 width newel on the landing for similar reasons.
Relatively easy to do though as long as you pay attention. I had to drop the ceiling below to get the newel posts out btw. You might be able to do it from above though just depends on the floorboards.
From this:
What shall one do with these lovely 60s stairs! by Joseph Foster, on Flickr
To this:
New Stairs by Joseph Foster, on Flickr
Thought about glass/oak - but its a smallish 1970s 3 bed ex council terrace. not worth it. Parts were ~£500 from Howdens. Only complexity was fitting new newel posts - the existing ones didn't sit over the stringer, they were offset, which doesn't work for this kind of ballustrade. Also had to "create" a 1.5 width newel on the landing for similar reasons.
Relatively easy to do though as long as you pay attention. I had to drop the ceiling below to get the newel posts out btw. You might be able to do it from above though just depends on the floorboards.
Very similar to what TeeRev posted.
Supplied and fitted by us in Oxford.
Engineered oak treads, stainless steel point fixings, 21.5mm toughened laminated structural balustrade.
This one is under construction in N London;
Suggest downloading Part K regulations from the Planning Portal.
Edited by morrisk1 on Friday 3rd July 19:30
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