Stairs & Ramps - General Principles

The requirements of stairs, ladders, walkways and thresholds all differ depending on the class of building and use of the stairs. For example a fire stair does not require the same handrails as a public access stair. Stairs under the BCA by definition have a zero tolerance. This means that the risers and going must be exactly the same height or width within slope measurements of the BCA. Some certifiers may allow a 5mm variance through the stair height, however be aware there is no tolerance permitted under the BCA so if someone falls you may be held liable. Stairs have been human impact assessed and minor variances have been found to make stairs unsafe, particularly for elderly users. Stairs must contain non-slip treats or non-slip nosings. The nose must contain a luminous strip on the nosing that has a 30% contrast variation to the remainder of the going.

Consequences of Failure

Non-compliance causing costly rectification and exposure to litigation should an accident occur as a result.

EXAMPLES OF ACCESS REQUIREMENTS

Multilevel Shopping Centre

Floor to Floor Public Access Stairs - Non-Fire Isolated but must comply with the disabled access code.
Floor to Floor Fire Stairs - Fire Isolated but do not need to comply with disabled access code

Multi storey office
Floor to Floor Internal Fire Stair - Fire Isolated but no not need to comply with disabled access code (Only three rails for the balustrade, no tactile or contrasting nosings)
Same Stair with added use for general public access between a number of floors -Upgraded between those floors to comply with public stairs– tactile, colour contrasting nosings, a 125mm max gap balustrade

To both of the projects described above, there is also likely to be roof access walkways, maintenance ladders and handrails, a disabled ramp at the entry, car parking kerb ramps and external door threshold ramps – all with different requirements. Essentially, any one project may have 1, 2 or even 5 different stairs/ramp types.

To demystify the requirements of stairs/ramps documented across numerous Australian standards, Standards guidelines, the many references in many areas of both volumes of the Building Code of Australia, and provide a “ready reference” as to the requirements applicable to each typical type of stair/ramp a matrix table of requirements against stairs/ramps is provided below. The BCA is however the overarching legislation.

In considering each stair/ramp on a site – simply highlight the type of stair or ramp applicable and then review the requirements.

Detailed policy information on these requirements is then provided below the requirements matrix tables.

Above – class 2 public access stairs – upgraded with disabled compliant contrasting nosings and handrail terminations by the client.