Stairs are an important element of building design, enabling the efficient utilisation of space by allowing people to traverse between different floor levels. However, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) estimate that over 700 people die and over 43,000 people are hospitalised every year in England due to a fall on stairs in the home. The design standards for stairs not only have an influence on the risk to a person’s safety, they also influence the stair’s usability, which is of particular importance for older adults and those with impaired mobility. Poor stair design can lead to a loss of confidence and accessibility, which often results in a loss of independence.
To help achieve the objectives set out in the Building Safety Regulators strategic plan, robust and objective evidence is needed to inform their technical policy advice and to inform the development of stair design guidance within the Approved Documents. This study aims to evaluate existing evidence on the safety and usability of, fixed ladders and alternating tread stairs, which are among the special stair types included in the current Approved Document K, as well as of steep stairs. These stair types are permissible for loft conversions where there is insufficient space for standard stair designs. The study includes: (i) a review of relevant literature; (ii) the evaluation and analysis of various datasets; (iii) ergonomics assessments of different stair designs, and; (iv) the collection and analysis of insights provided by key stakeholders, by means of a survey and online workshop.
This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive. Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.
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