How much height difference is acceptable between the stairs of a staircase?

[Supreme Leader Yoda]

Hi all

I have had a staircase installed recently and it appears that the carpenter hasn't done such a great job as most of the stairs are around 24cm in height but the heights of the last 3 vary between 26m and 28cm, does anyone here know if that's acceptable or if it could potentially cause trips and falls in the future?

Many thanks

 

[^woody^]

220mm no more each step should be, and of equal height every step they are. Hmmmm.

 

[frutbunn]

If it required Building Regulations absolutely not and it will be condemned by any BCO.
If it is a direct replacement stair it does not fall under B Regs and it is entirely up to you, however it is a major trip hazard and I would advise you not to accept.
Here's a famous one.

 

[big-all]

as said must all be the same you may get away with 6mm but no more

 

[frutbunn]

as said must all be the same you may get away with 6mm but no more

I wouldn't pass that either, maybe a couple of mm but no more.

 

[Supreme Leader Yoda]

If it required Building Regulations absolutely not and it will be condemned by any BCO.
If it is a direct replacement stair it does not fall under B Regs and it is entirely up to you, however it is a major trip hazard and I would advise you not to accept.
Here's a famous one.

Can I refuse to to pay him until he fixes the stairs? The job is practically finished and he's asking me to make the final payment...

 

[frutbunn]

Can I refuse to to pay him until he fixes the stairs? The job is practically finished and he's asking me to make the final payment...

I would say so, did it need B regs?

 

[Supreme Leader Yoda]

I would say so, did it need B regs?

No, I don't think that we'll need that as they were replacing an old staircase, but the stairs were installed in a shop and they'll be used by customers and I'm afraid this is going to be a problem once we open for business.

 

[big-all]

I wouldn't pass that either, maybe a couple of mm but no more.

thats why i said "may" as it shows how tight tolerances are as in 6mm is way to much so shows how ridiculous the actual job is

 

[Supreme Leader Yoda]

thats why i said "may" as it shows how tight tolerances are as in 6mm is way to much so shows how ridiculous the actual job is

Are there any websites that point out such rules and regulations so that I can point them out to the building company when I raise this issue with them?

 

[big-all]

its part "m" off the building regs i think but may be wrong ??
https://www.wonkeedonkeerichardburbidge.co.uk/building-regulations-explained/

 

[Diver Fred]

from

https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/ideas/staircase-design-guide

Staircase Regulations in the UK
Given the safety implications, make sure you are aware of Building Regulations requirements for staircases when thinking about your design.

• Staircases should have a maximum rise of 220mm and a minimum going of 220mm
• They should have a maximum pitch of 42°
• Flights should have a handrail on at least one side if they are less than one metre wide and on both sides if they are wider than this
• Handrails on stairs and landings should have a minimum height of 900mm
• No openings of any balustrading should allow the passage of a 100mm sphere
• A minimum of 2,000mm of clear headroom is required above the pitch line
• For further Regulations see Approved Document K (available to buy from planningportal.co.uk)

N.B. Rise = high from tread to tread
GOing = length of tread (step)

(But a replacement may be different if space is restricted.)

 

[^woody^]

Yes you can refuse to pay him.

Regardless of whether building regs are required or not, the stairs should be constructed to an acceptable standard. The issue with uneven risers is that they are an inherent trip hazard as we instinctively expect steps to be the same, and these will be bad enough during daylight and just looking at them, but will be worse when its darker, when you are not looking and walking slowly or trying to rush down during a fire or to watch corrie one night.

They are dangerous plain and simple and should not be accepted.

 

[frutbunn]

Approved doc K, but wgt52 reply is for domestic stairs.
https://assets.publishing.service.g...achment_data/file/443181/BR_PDF_AD_K_2013.pdf

As the work is in a shop then strictly speaking its on a means of escape part B b regs requires a compliant staircase or at least be no worse than previous assuming the stairs had even risers then the work contravenes means of escape as it is a major trip hazard. As the proprietor you also have a duty of care for health and safety.

 

[Tigercubrider]

It was an established anti intruder device in castles and country houses that a 'trip step" would be built to catch intruders