Stairs, balustrades and the rules behind them

The parts of a stair

• Going: the horizontal depth of a step.
• Rise: the vertical height of a step.
• Flight: a run of steps between landings.
• Landing: a flat platform between flights or at the ends.
• Headroom: the clear height above the stair.
• Handrails and balustrades (guards): the protection and support at the sides.
• Nosing and tread: the edge and surface that your foot lands on.

What good stairs have in common

• Consistent steps. Every rise and every going in a flight should be the same. People rely on rhythm, and even small differences can cause trips.
• A comfortable proportion. The relationship between rise and going decides how steep and tiring the stair feels. There are limits set in building rules, and good design usually stays well inside them.
• Safe edges. Treads with a non-slip surface and visible edges, with no loose or damaged coverings.
• Good light. Stairs need good lighting, with switches at the top and bottom.
• Adequate headroom.
• Continuous handrails that can be gripped, at a suitable height, on the sides required.
• Landings where doors open onto a stair, so that people are not caught on steps.
• Care with winders and spirals, which can be more hazardous.

Rules typically cover its height, its strength, and the gaps.

Guards and balustrades

A guard stops people falling from an open side. Rules typically cover its height, its strength, and the gaps. Gaps must be small enough that a small child cannot pass or get stuck, and the design should avoid features that children can climb. In some cases, guards must be able to resist crowd loads. Glass guards need the right safety glass and fixing.

Accessible stairs

In buildings that the public use, stairs have extra requirements, such as contrast on edges, handrails on both sides, tactile warnings at some points, and alternatives like lifts or ramps. See also Designing for people with disabilities: beyond the minimum.

Escape and fire

Stairs are often escape routes. They may need protection from fire and smoke, specific widths and doors, and rules for handrails and lighting. This is governed by fire regulations for each building type and must be designed with a fire specialist.

Design and character

A stair can be the centrepiece of a building, as in the sculptural stairs of our concepts The Living Archive and the stepped forum at the Museion Institute. Beauty never excuses an unsafe stair, so the rules and the design must be reconciled early.

In short

A good stair has consistent steps, comfortable proportions, safe edges, good light, secure guards and handrails, and complies with current regulations. Always check the rules that apply and get professional advice.

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