Building regulations for Staircases


Whether you're embarking on a project to design a closed or open riser staircase, the success of your endeavor hinges on meticulous planning and adherence to building regulations. In addition to crafting a design that harmonizes with your home and caters to the needs of your family, it's crucial to navigate the complex landscape of rules and legislation governing new staircase constructions. In this guide, we'll unravel the intricacies of building regulations for stairs, shedding light on key points that are integral to a safe and compliant staircase.  

Understanding Building Regulations for Staircases

Clarify the distinction between planning permission and building regulations. While planning permissions focus on land development, building regulations are geared towards ensuring health and safety standards, establishing the minimum criteria for various elements of building design, including staircases.

Key Legislation: Approved Document K

Delve into the main piece of legislation governing staircase design – Approved Document K. This document outlines crucial steps for protection against falling, collision, and impact within a property, especially in the context of vertical circulation between different floors.


Critical Rules for Main Staircases

  1. Main Staircase Design Criteria:
    • Elaborate on the design criteria specified by building regulations, such as the required height of handrails, their fixing points about pitch lines or floors, and the necessity of handrails on both sides for staircases exceeding a certain width.
  2. Exceptions and Special Considerations:
    • Highlight the fact that, as with many planning laws and building regulations, there are exceptions based on the type of staircase installed. Encourage readers to familiarize themselves with Approved Document K and its nuances for their specific project.
  3. Ensuring Compliance: Collaborating with Staircase Specialists:
    • Emphasize the importance of engaging a specialist staircase company early in the project. Discuss how these professionals possess in-depth knowledge of design elements and building regulations, ensuring a smoother process and peace of mind that health and safety standards are prioritized.
  4. Benefits of Collaboration with Staircase Experts:
    • Showcase the advantages of working closely with a staircase company, including their ability to create a design that enhances the flow of the property, maximizes natural sunlight, and facilitates ease of use for the entire family.

Request a staircase consultation now 

For more advice, speak to our staircase experts at Ovoms. We work across the UK. To get in touch, please call 020 3667 3330 or email sales@ovoms.com.