Steps vs Landing Building Regulation

[bench53]

Hi,

We've recently bought a new build and completed on 23rd December.

We have 3 external steps in the front garden (2 steps + landing) going up to our front door and the developer has erected a set of hand railings AFTER the date of completion which look hideous to say the least.

We would prefer not to have the railings there as they look out of place and do not suit the character of the home.

I have attached a simple diagram showing the existing design as well as a newly suggested design to get around having a hand rail.

Present design: 2 steps + landing

New Design: 1 step + landing + 1 step

How long does the landing have to be to distinguish as a landing rather than as a step to overcome the building regulation?

Thanks for your time.

Kind regards,
Ben

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

The length should be 900mm, the landing needs to be a minimum of 900W x 900L, your steps, if compliant should already be 900mm wide ....

From The Building Regs Pat M: https://assets.publishing.service.g...BR_PDF_AD_M1_2015_with_2016_amendments_V3.pdf

page 5

External stepped approach
1.8 Where it is not possible to achieve step-free access to any private entrance (as may occur on a
steeply sloping plot) a stepped approach is acceptable if it complies with all of the following.
a. Steps are uniform with a rise of 75-150mm and a minimum going of 280mm (for tapered steps
measured at a point 270mm from the ‘inside’ (narrow end) of the step).
b. Steps have suitable tread nosings.
c. No individual flight has a rise of more than 1800mm between landings.
d. Every flight has a minimum clear width of 900mm.
e. Top and bottom and, where necessary, intermediate landings, are provided and every landing
has a minimum length of 900mm.
f. Every flight with three or more risers has a suitable handrail to one side. This grippable handrail
is 850-1000mm above the pitch line of the flight and extends a minimum of 300mm beyond
the top and bottom nosings

 

[Nakajo]

Why not just remove the handrail?