Building Regulations - Steps
Discussion
Probably a simple question for those of you in the know...
I arranged for a sliding patio door to be installed into my tennis club, due to the height of the building etc it was quite a high drop from the bottom of the door to the floor. Tall enough to require, IMO, a couple of steps. Certainly no older people would be able to step up - bottom of the door was perhaps knee height.
Someone said they would create a step and have done. Just one, the step down from the patio door is fine but then you still have an upper shin height step down to the ground.
Are there any legal issues here? Older people still would not be able to step up. Not a huge problem due to there being other doors but even so, stupid step IMO.
Any thoughts?
I arranged for a sliding patio door to be installed into my tennis club, due to the height of the building etc it was quite a high drop from the bottom of the door to the floor. Tall enough to require, IMO, a couple of steps. Certainly no older people would be able to step up - bottom of the door was perhaps knee height.
Someone said they would create a step and have done. Just one, the step down from the patio door is fine but then you still have an upper shin height step down to the ground.
Are there any legal issues here? Older people still would not be able to step up. Not a huge problem due to there being other doors but even so, stupid step IMO.
Any thoughts?
max rise of a step in a private stair, is about 220mm, public accessable stair is about 180mm
see building reg part K - page 6
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF...
see building reg part K - page 6
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF...
lord summerisle said:
max rise of a step in a private stair, is about 220mm, public accessable stair is about 180mm
see building reg part K - page 6
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF...
Also check part msee building reg part K - page 6
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF...
davidjpowell said:
You should make sure that Disabled People (not just wheelchair dependant) can access the premises. Another route would be fine though.
I understood that disabled access was only an advisory rather than a mandatory point for "private" places (i.e. rather than public amenities). i.e. You don't have to cater for disabled people but it'd be nice if you did.If you have an existing building there is no requirement to make it wheelchair accessible, unless you are doing work, in which case you shouldn't limit access or make things worse.
If you've put a new door in, I'd be making it accessible. You don't want to get sued.
Bear in mind that just putting steps / ramp in might not be enough, you may need a handrail too. If people struggle to get up / down steps and there is no handrail, you are opening yourself up to the risk of an accident and the inevitable legal action.
Have a read up of the Approved Docs on part M and part K of the Building Regs. Then consider having a chat with your local B. Regs guy. I hope the door was installed by a Fensa member? Or you'll need B. Regs for that.
You may be able to get away with producing an access statement, but as a publicly accessible space, I doubt it.
If you've put a new door in, I'd be making it accessible. You don't want to get sued.
Bear in mind that just putting steps / ramp in might not be enough, you may need a handrail too. If people struggle to get up / down steps and there is no handrail, you are opening yourself up to the risk of an accident and the inevitable legal action.
Have a read up of the Approved Docs on part M and part K of the Building Regs. Then consider having a chat with your local B. Regs guy. I hope the door was installed by a Fensa member? Or you'll need B. Regs for that.
You may be able to get away with producing an access statement, but as a publicly accessible space, I doubt it.
Landlord said:
davidjpowell said:
You should make sure that Disabled People (not just wheelchair dependant) can access the premises. Another route would be fine though.
I understood that disabled access was only an advisory rather than a mandatory point for "private" places (i.e. rather than public amenities). i.e. You don't have to cater for disabled people but it'd be nice if you did.GuinnessMK said:
Landlord said:
davidjpowell said:
You should make sure that Disabled People (not just wheelchair dependant) can access the premises. Another route would be fine though.
I understood that disabled access was only an advisory rather than a mandatory point for "private" places (i.e. rather than public amenities). i.e. You don't have to cater for disabled people but it'd be nice if you did.DDA regs relate to anywhere that provides a service to the public. The idea is that a disabled person should be afforeded the same access as an able bodied person.
Theres unlikely to be an issue until a disable person decides to kick up a fuss.
I suspect this is unlikely though as they're more likely to try and get something out of larger organisations such as banks.
Theres unlikely to be an issue until a disable person decides to kick up a fuss.
I suspect this is unlikely though as they're more likely to try and get something out of larger organisations such as banks.
hadenough! said:
DDA regs relate to anywhere that provides a service to the public. The idea is that a disabled person should be afforeded the same access as an able bodied person.
Theres unlikely to be an issue until a disable person decides to kick up a fuss.
I suspect this is unlikely though as they're more likely to try and get something out of larger organisations such as banks.
Interesting - thanks for that. Theres unlikely to be an issue until a disable person decides to kick up a fuss.
I suspect this is unlikely though as they're more likely to try and get something out of larger organisations such as banks.
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