Stairs/Banister

[mattygg]

Hi All,

I have a quick question for you. In my house i have stairs which go into a U shape, if you understand. Maybe 8 stairs, little landing, then 8 stairs again. I have a banister up at the moment but there is about a 75cm gap between the handrail and the floor.

I had someone come to view the property and they have stated that i have to fill the gaps up so that her child could not fall through the hole. She then stated that the gap cannot be more than 4-6 inches.

I dont have a problem in fixing the banisters, but i have had a look on here and on google for the legislation and cannot find any rules. As i dont want to fix it, only to find it doesnt meet H&S and need to do it again.

Can anyone point me in the right direction.

Thanks

Matt

[thesaint]

Call the buildings inspector for your local authority.
Saying the gap can be "no more than 4-6 inches" makes no sense.

[jeffrey]

I have a quick question for you. In my house i have stairs which go into a U shape, if you understand. Maybe 8 stairs, little landing, then 8 stairs again. I have a banister up at the moment but there is about a 75cm gap between the handrail and the floor.

I had someone come to view the property and they have stated that i have to fill the gaps up so that her child could not fall through the hole. She then stated that the gap cannot be more than 4-6 inches.

I dont have a problem in fixing the banisters, but i have had a look on here and on google for the legislation and cannot find any rules. As i dont want to fix it, only to find it doesnt meet H&S and need to do it again.
Irrespective of Health & Safety considerations, you as L are inescapably liable for the building's structure [s.11 of LTA 1985] so you'd have to fix any actual disrepair or defect in the bannister.

[mind the gap]

mattyg, if you can post a photo of this staircase and bannister, I may be able to help you.

[Snorkerz]

This is from HHSRS

Description: the threat to health from any fall associated with stairs, steps and ramps where the change in level is more than 300mm. Including internal stairs or ramps, external steps or ramps, and those giving common access to a dwelling. It also includes falls over guarding (balustrade) associated with stairs, steps and ramps.



Ideal standard of property to minimise the hazard:

Proper design, construction and maintenance of stairs, steps and ramps.
Stairs constructed to the requirements of the Building Regulations Document K
Handrails to staircases and steps
Suitable stair coverings
Non slip covering to stairs and steps
Consistent rise and going on staircases.
Suitable balustrade and guarding to staircases and steps
It doesn't seem to specify any specific gaps between bannisters (banisters are the uprights, a balustrade is the handrail - pedantic - moi?)
Part K of the building regs specifies 100mm BUT that would only be for newly built stairs, they are not retrospective.

[remyrobson]

I think for our HMO we had the same issue and it had to be blocked up so that the gap was 100mm, same as the distance between banisters. Laughable really, our own victorian house has massive gaps between and even my dog isn't stupid enough to stick his head down the gaps, isn't it nice we now have to idiot proof our properties?!

[mind the gap]

I think for our HMO we had the same issue and it had to be blocked up so that the gap was 100mm, same as the distance between banisters. Laughable really, our own victorian house has massive gaps between and even my dog isn't stupid enough to stick his head down the gaps, isn't it nice we now have to idiot proof our properties?!

I do not think OP is talking about a gap in which a child or animal could get their head stuck (e.g. between spindles - these are what I think the uprights are called!), but a gap between the handrail and the floor in what sounds like an open staircase. I'm not sure, because it is not described very clearly, but a child could certainly fall through a gap 75 cm deep. Depending on how far they would fall, it could be a hazard. Better safe than sorry?

[remyrobson]

Ah, that's clearer. 75cm sounds like a big gap in that case...

[westminster]

I have a quick question for you. In my house i have stairs which go into a U shape, if you understand. Maybe 8 stairs, little landing, then 8 stairs again. I have a banister up at the moment but there is about a 75cm gap between the handrail and the floor.

I understand the u-shaped stairs, but I don't understand the vertical (?) gap between handrail and floor.

Floor as in ground floor at the bottom of the stairs, or floor as in the steps on the stairs themselves, or something else?

Are the stairs like this?
http://thelifeofahouse.blogspot.com/2008/08/banister-etc.html


I had someone come to view the property and they have stated that i have to fill the gaps up so that her child could not fall through the hole. She then stated that the gap cannot be more than 4-6 inches.
Unless the gap represents a serious health & safety hazard, there is no obligation to make improvements. You could ask the Environmental Health Officer at the local council to come and inspect (this being the person a T would call if they believed there was a serious hazard in the property which a LL failed to remedy).

[westminster]

It doesn't seem to specify any specific gaps between bannisters (banisters are the uprights, a balustrade is the handrail - pedantic - moi?)


(e.g. between spindles - these are what I think the uprights are called!)

Baluster is the word for a vertical upright supporting a handrail.

bal·us·ter
1.a. One of the upright, usually rounded or vase-shaped supports of a balustrade.
b. An upright support, such as a furniture leg, having a similar shape.
2. One of the supporting posts of a handrail.

A balustrade comprises the handrail together with the supporting balusters.

Banister is a much less specific term, as it can mean either a balustrade, handrail or baluster.

[Snorkerz]

Baluster is the word for a vertical upright supporting a handrail.

bal·us·ter
1.a. One of the upright, usually rounded or vase-shaped supports of a balustrade.
b. An upright support, such as a furniture leg, having a similar shape.
2. One of the supporting posts of a handrail.

A balustrade comprises the handrail together with the supporting balusters.

Banister is a much less specific term, as it can mean either a balustrade, handrail or baluster.Shows I really must pay more attention to Stephen when I watch QI!

[mattygg]

Hi All,

Sorry i have had a chance to put any pictures up as i have been moving into my new place. The 75cm gap is between the handrail and the stairs. Im going back to my old house on Tuesday so will try and put some pics up by then.

[quarterday]

I have found a relatively quick fix solution to this problem, which is particularly acute where 70's ranch style horizontals are fitted rather than verticals, is to have shaped and fitted below the handrail tight to the floor some sections of multiwalled polycarbonate. It cannot be climbed and light will still come through. And later on, if so desired, it can be removed with just a few screwholes to fill and gloss over...

[mind the gap]

Hi All,

Sorry i have had a chance to put any pictures up as i have been moving into my new place. The 75cm gap is between the handrail and the stairs. Im going back to my old house on Tuesday so will try and put some pics up by then.

It sounds lethal! A small drunken adult could fall through a gap that size, let alone a child. I suggest you study quarterday's solution and implement it as matter of urgency.

[red40]

Openings in stairs or guarding through which a 100mm diameter sphere can pass are considered a risk and therefore any openings on a staircase guarding should not be anymore than 100mm.

[midlandslandlord]

There's a summary here:

http://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/baluster-spacing-regulation-t4565.html

but I can't quote the authority reference on the spot.

ML