Staircases are composed of four parts; the tread or going (i.e. where you step), the riser (the height between each step), the nosing (the lip that extends past the tread of the lower stair to create an overlap), and the railing. Depending on where the staircase is to be installed - domestic houses, utility stairs, or general access - there are different limits to each.
For domestic houses, the tread of the stair cannot be less than 220 mm, while the rise cannot exceed 220 mm, with a maximum pitch of 42°. A 2m headroom is also recommended, but your staircase will have to conform to precise specifications here.
Furthermore, whether building or refurbishing, all staircases in Ireland must conform to the Building Regulations Part K Amendment 1997 - 2014. This means that:
- All the treads of the staircase should be level and, for open risers, the distance between each should be less than 100 mm.
- There can be no permanent obstructions in front of a staircase. This includes door swings. A door may only open upon a landing if it leaves a clear area of at least 400 mm.
- Except for the landing, the staircase should be level. The landing may be sloped if the gradient is less than 1:60 in the direction of travel. The surface must also be permanently firm.
- The side of the stairs should be guarded with rails.
- Ramps, ladders, stairways, and ramps will allow for safe passage for all users of the building.
- The sides of all floors and balconies, any part of a roof that people normally have access to, as well as sunken areas of a building, must be railed to protect users from falling.
As far as railings go, a handrail is required on at least one side if the staircase is less than 1 m wide. For wider staircases, two handrails are required. The height of the handrail should be between 900 mm and 1,000 mm along the stairs and between 900 mm and 1,100 mm on the landings. No handrail is needed on the first two bottom steps. Finally, the distance between the spindles of the guard supporting the handrail must not exceed 99 mm.
You should consult Part M (Access for Disabled People) of the Building Regulations if your stairs will be used by people with impaired mobility.
Rest assured that your YourPro staircases contractor will advise you on the best solution for your specific project and ensure that the project meets building regulations.