As I'm currently tiling a large staircase I thought that the
rules and regulations regarding stairs may be of interest to some.
These regulations are from a building control perspective only, and not from BS 5385.
The information is taken from
Building Regulations Part K
Protection from falling, collision and impact.
Part K1 Stairs, Ladders and Ramps.
Construction of steps.
For all buildings.
1.5 Have level treads on steps, ensuring that the Rise & Going (risers & treads) of each step are consistent throughout a 'Flight' of steps and are in accordance with Table 1.1
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The measuring of Risers & Goings.
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Each type of staircase has its own set of regulations, those pertaining to my project are:
For Common Access in Buildings that contain Flats.
Part 1.10 Provide a stair with steps that comply with the following guidance.
a. Make step no sings apparent: use a material that will contrast visibly, 50mm to 65mm wide on the tread and 30mm to 55mm on the riser.
b. Use a suitable tread nosing profile, as shown in Diagram 1.2.
c. Use risers that are not open.
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The above information is for guidance only, and as most of us know, each building inspector has their own interpretation of what's required.
So working with the above information, this is how each flight of stairs on my job evolves.
The average size of riser in my case is 173mm and the average tread is 270mm.
Applying the formula above, 2 X riser plus 1 X going (tread)
that equals 173mm + 173mm + 270mm = 616mm
Well within the scope of 550mm - 700mm.
The first process for me is to select pieces that I can match together, whether it be left side, right side, middle, or top or bottom.
Because of the combined measurements of the tread and risers do not equal the measurements of the tiles I have to get a little creative and take pieces from wherever I can find them.
Which can be a slow process.
Effectively I may start with something like this:
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Which eventually turns in to this:
That now consists of a 1365mm walkway, 4 risers and 3 treads.
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Which ends up like this:
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As requirements state, each step must be consistent within a 'flight'
Level
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Consistent.
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The meter reads 316 because the point of measure is from the back of the unit, length of laser measure is 143mm leaving riser height of 173mm
I just didn't change point of measure before starting.
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Another way to check consistency is to place a straight edge on staircase.
If all risers hit the straight edge it passes, if not, it fails.
That simple
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