Is there any regs around me flipping stairs 180 degrees

[zuber ali]

Hi All,

as per title, would like to flip stairs around 180 on so that the 1st floor bathoom can be accesssed via the corridor rather than through the rooms. anything stopping me doing this?

current layout as per below

regards

 

[Nakajo]

Seems eminently sensible to me

 

[zuber ali]

Seems eminently sensible to me

thanks, so no regs around doing this? i.e fire escape routes etc

 

[noseall]

thanks, so no regs around doing this? i.e fire escape routes etc

Stairs are very busy in terms of compliance. As you are putting in a new set in a new position, then reg's will apply. You will require a minimum of 2m headroom vertically from the tips of the treads. The stairs cannot exceed 42 degrees in pitch. Maximum/minimum tread and riser measurements must be obeyed. Spindle spacing (no greater than 100mm sphere to pass through etc) and handrail heights are strict also.

Good luck.

 

[^woody^]

You'll probably need to have a door to the front room and escape window at the rear if you keep access to the stairs from the rear room. And enhanced fire detection and warning may be a good idea if you don't already have something

 

[Dodgyrog]

Certainly looks worth doing but as others have said, building regs can be quite involved with stairs and landings re fire issues. It does seem a no brainer though but then maybe there was a building control related reason why it was done that way in the first place. Deffo worth getting someone round to check it out and giv you the green light.

 

[tony1851]

Stairs are very busy in terms of compliance. As you are putting in a new set in a new position, then reg's will apply. You will require a minimum of 2m headroom vertically from the tips of the treads. The stairs cannot exceed 42 degrees in pitch. Maximum/minimum tread and riser measurements must be obeyed. Spindle spacing (no greater than 100mm sphere to pass through etc) and handrail heights are strict also.

Good luck.

If the stars are being installed in an existing building, I'm not sure buildng control would be able to hold him to the latest guidance on stairs.
Eg the 42 degree recommended pitch would likely not work.
The only regulation on stairs is that they shall be safe. As long as his new stairs were no worse than the existing in terms of tread, rise and pitch, there would be no problem.
(Means of escape is a separate issue).

 

[noseall]

If the stars are being installed in an existing building.

I was of the impression 'like for like reacement' was relevant. Surely this is a new item in a new location? There may also be structural (trimmers etc) to consider.

 

[tony1851]

I was of the impression 'like for like reacement' was relevant. Surely this is a new item in a new location? There may also be structural (trimmers etc) to consider.

The general approach is that a like-for-like replacement is OK (eg if the stairs were rotten or badly damaged).

Where someone is turning a staircase round 180°, then the available length is presumably the same, so that is also allowed.

What matters is that whatever change is done within an existing building, the result must not contravene the level of compliance to any greater extent.

Many people don't realize that the dimensions often quoted (42° pitch, min 220 tread, max 220 rise etc) are not 'the Building Regulations' but are merely advisory. The actual regulation for stairs is:

reg. K2 "stairs shall be designed, constructed and installed so as to be safe for people moving in and about the building".

This gives flexibility for different cirumstances.

The OP would be within his rights to switch the stairs around (subject of course to structural aspects such as trimmers, and also means of escape should not be made any worse).

 

[Notch7]

 

[^woody^]

Is that in Staffordshire?