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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Technical Advice => Topic started by: Tom Sutton on March 08, 2016, 03:28:47 PM

Title: External fire escape from a multi-storeyed house.
Post by: Tom Sutton on March 08, 2016, 03:28:47 PM

I received the following enquiry and I cannot find anything for the width of stairs in domestic premises which I would apply to internal or external. I found a reference to stairs in ADK1 but the width seems to apply to the approached to a domestic premises? Help would be appreciated.

I am trying to find the required dimensions for an external fire escape from a multi-storeyed house. Can you please advise? Building Regulations appear to deal with internal stairs and exits from a building.

Title: Re: External fire escape from a multi-storeyed house.
Post by: wee brian on March 09, 2016, 09:21:00 AM

If its "part of the building" then use AD K.

Title: Re: External fire escape from a multi-storeyed house.
Post by: Revol on March 17, 2016, 10:01:11 AM

Also worth looking in BS 5395 - 1, quoted in AD-K ... min width of a private stair should not be less than 800 mm

Title: Re: External fire escape from a multi-storeyed house.
Post by: col10 on March 17, 2016, 11:32:02 AM

It was took out of regs back in 85 under deregulation.
5395 gives good practice guidance but something narrower than 800 might be able to be justified.

Title: Re: External fire escape from a multi-storeyed house.
Post by: wee brian on March 17, 2016, 04:20:10 PM

Sorry, didnt spot the width question.

AD K says 900mm for a stair in a dwelling (para 1.16).

I'd use that.

Title: Re: External fire escape from a multi-storeyed house.
Post by: Tom Sutton on March 17, 2016, 08:18:02 PM

Thanks guys BS 5395 was something I missed.

Title: Re: External fire escape from a multi-storeyed house.
Post by: col10 on March 18, 2016, 08:30:43 AM

Wee b  the 900 dim in ADK was put in the 2013 edition for when you have to have a change in level in the entrance storey.  The 900 dim is not for stairway safety it is for access for disabled.
They put some of  the guidance from Doc M Access into Doc k, in an attempt to make guidance better, but it has made it worse.

Title: Re: External fire escape from a multi-storeyed house.
Post by: wee brian on March 21, 2016, 12:02:00 PM

Sorry, I'm out of kilter with the New AD K (I agree it didn't quite simplify things as much as intended). My recolection was that there was no minimum width for a stair in a dwelling. the assumption being thatr you would be daft to make one so narrow thatr peoiple cant walk down it.

I suspect thats about 650mm give or take