Stair Riser Height Regulations Explained

Stair riser height regulations are there to ensure staircase safety. Risers act as the back pieces of the steps and are important to get right if you are designing or redecorating a staircase.

This guide has all you need to know about interior stair riser height requirements and how to follow them.

What is a Stair Riser?

A stair riser, or step riser, is the vertical section that connects one step to another. Whereas the stair tread is the horizontal strip that is stepped on.

Stair Riser Height Measurements

These are the general measurements set by UK Building Regulations Approved Document K, 2013 edition. It's important to familiarise yourself with this document if you're designing a staircase.

Average Height of a Stair Riser

The typical stair riser height is 200mm. This is considered the ideal height for stair risers as it yields the most comfortable step while also conforming to safety standards.

Generally, the average total rise of staircases is 2,600mm. This divides into 13 risers at 200mm.

Maximum Riser Height for Stairs

The max stair riser height is 300mm. Any higher than this is considered too great to safely climb.

Minimum Stair Riser Height

The minimum height for stair risers is 190mm.

It is crucial that every riser of your stairs is the same height. For example, if one step has a riser height of 200mm, the next riser cannot be 250mm. Having uneven risers can result in serious trip hazards.

The exception to that rule is when a flat landing breaks up the staircase. Different riser heights can sometimes be used here, but not at a greater difference than 70mm.

Photo credit to @themanorhouserrenovation on Instagram.

Other Safety Considerations for Stair Risers

Your staircase should not have a pitch of over 42. The pitch refers to the overall steepness of the staircase.

In buildings where there are consecutive flights of stairs that include over 36 risers, there should be a change of direction between the flights. The angle for the change of direction should be a minimum of 30.

In buildings which are not dwellings, the following regulations should be followed:

• Flights between landings on utility stairs should have a maximum of 16 risers

• Flights between landings on stairs, which are used for general access, should have 12 risers at a maximum. This can go up to 16 risers, where plan areas are restricted, as is sometimes the case for small premises.

Are Closed Risers or Open Risers Better?

Closed risers have additional safety benefits that open risers do not have. An open riser can come with the risk of falls because the foot, or a walking aid, could potentially get caught underneath the next tread while ascending. Having a closed riser prevents this, as well as giving a greater comfort in its appearance, with no open spaces visible.

How to Ensure Staircase Safety With Open Risers

If you are designing a staircase for a commercial building, the best thing to do is to ensure risers are included in the design. However, you may prefer the aesthetic that comes with an open staircase. If this is the case, there are regulations about construction that you need to follow:

• Tread overhang: Each tread in the staircase must have an overhang of at least 16mm, ensuring that the gaps are harder to fit through

• Tread gap: Ensure that the gap between each tread is no wider than 100mm

• Consider a riser bar: This is a bar that can be installed between each tread, having the effect of guarding against access from young children while keeping the open design

Make sure you take all the necessary precautions for childproofing your stairs.

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