6.6.6 Structural design
Staircases shall be properly supported and transmit loads to the supporting structure without undue movement, deflection or deformation.
Staircases should be designed and comply with relevant Building Regulations and Table 1.
Table 1: Standards for stair construction
| Type of staircase | Relevant standard | Additional guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Timber staircases (straight flights, 1⁄4 or 1⁄2 landings) | BS 585: Part 1 or 2 | The stair and landing method and fixings should be specified
See also Chapter 3.3 'Timber preservation (natural solid timber)' |
| Reinforced concrete staircases | BS EN 1992-1-1 | Should be designed by an engineer in accordance with Technical Requirement R5
See also Chapter 3.1 ‘Concrete and its reinforcement' |
| Steel staircases | BS EN 1993-1-1 | See also Chapter 6.5 ‘Steelwork’ |
| Proprietary staircases | Proprietary staircases should meet Technical Requirement R3 |
Timber stud walls may require additional noggings to provide appropriate fixing locations, and block walls should be sufficiently robust to support the required loads and to receive appropriate fixings. It should be noted that stairs generally are unable to be secured to metal stud walls.
Differential movement#
When considering differential movement in relation to setting out, levels and finishes, allowances should be made for:
- casting tolerances
- deflection under load
- foundation settlement
- creep and thermal movement
- storey height.
Last updated: 2nd January 2024