Professional Identity Magazine – Sarah Perkins | Page 31

4.1 - Building Regulations Overview
Overview
Part B - Fire Safety
3.5 In order to avoid occupants being trapped by fire or
smoke, there should be alternative escape routes from
all parts of the building.
3.7 Measures incorporated into the design of a building
or parts of it should not adversely affect fire safety
provisions.
3.13 Any storey which has more than one escape stair
should be planned so that it is not necessary to pass
through one stairway to reach another.
3.17 All escape routes should have a clear headroom of
not less than 2m except doorways.
4.18 Every escape stair should be wide enough to
accommodate the number of persons needing to use
it in an emergency. This width will depend on the
number of stairs provided and whether the escape
strategy for the building is based on simultaneous
evacuation or phased evacuation.
5.14 The door of any doorway or exit should, if
reasonably practicable, be hung to open it the
direction of escape and should always do so if the
number of persons expected to use the doors at the
time of a fire is more than 60.
4.32 Every internal escape stair should be a
protected stairway (i.e. it should be within a fireresisting
enclosure).
Part K - Protection from falling, collisions & impact
1.20 At the top and bottom of every flight, provide
landings the width and length at least as great as the
smallest width of the flight.
1.23 Provide all of the following.
a. An unobstructed length a minimum of 1200mm on
each landing
1.34 Provide handrails in accordance with the following:
a. position the top of the handrail 900mm from the pitch
line or floor.
b. the handrail may form the top of the guarding if you
can match heights.
1.36 Provide handrails in accordance with all the
following:
b. use a continuous handrail along the flights and
landings of a stepped flight.
c. ensure that handrails do not project into an access
route.
3.1 Provide guarding in all the following locations:
a. where it is reasonably necessary for safety
to guard the edges of any part of a floor, gallery,
balcony, roof and any other place to which people
have access.
Part M - Access to and use of Buildings and the
Equality Act 2010
2.11 Once open, all doors to accessible entrances
should be wide enough to allow unrestricted passage
for a variety of users, including wheelchair users,
people with assistance dogs, and parents with
pushchairs and small children. There may be
circumstances in existing buildings where it is not
practical or cost effective to adopt the preferred
effective clear width for new buildings.
2.27 The lobby should be large enough and of a shape
to allow a wheelchair user or a person pushing a pram
to move clear of one door before the opening of the
second door.
3.7 Since doors are potential barriers, their use
should be avoided whenever appropriate.
3.11 Corridors and passageways should be wide
enough to allow people with buggies, people
carrying cases or people on crutches to pass others
on the access route. Wheelchair users should also
have access to adjacent rooms and spaces, to be
able to pass other people and, where necessary, turn
180 degrees.
3.21 For all buildings, a passenger lift is the most
convenient way for many people to move from one
storey to another. Where a lift is provided, it should
be suitable for wheelchair users.
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