Increasingly, high-density living means that people are more likely to live in multi-storey housing and apartments or on small lots . Many of these homes will be on sloping land and may need to provide for changes in level within the building. While some stairs should be avoided, stairs, ramps or lifts may be required in the lead up to an entrance or within a home. This chapter outlines the alternative ways to safely and easily bridge coanges in level.

Stairs

A universally accessible home would not include stairs, as even one step can constitute a barrier to an elderly person or someone in a wheelchair. However, if stairs are needed in the renovation of an existing house, or for other reasons, there are certain proportions and layouts that are safer and more accessible than others. It is a good idea to design the stair with the width and structure to fit a stairlift if needed.

Generally, simple stairs are the safest and easi!,st to use. A single flight of straight stairs, as shown in figure 12.1 A, or straight flights of stairs connected by a flat landing such as that shown in figure 12.1 B are ideal. Geometrical stairs can also be accessible. Spiral stairs and stairs with winder treads, illustrated in figure 12.1 C, should be avoided.

The staircase will be safest if it: is well lit, without glare provides a landing at the top and the bottom for the user to steady themselves before changing direction

• has no doors that obstruct the top or bottom landings

• consists of more than one step.

Rather than allowing a small change in level that requires a single step, it is better to design the floor surface to be level. If this is not possible, a small ramp is the best way to connect the two levels.

94

up

for long Aights a middle landing may be helpful

-"

,

6tair lifts can b'e fi t ted easily proviaea there i5 5ufficient width

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,

Stair Components

Refer to the Building Code of Australia for complete definitions and regulatory requirements for stairs and balustrades.

Flight -A flight is the length of stair that has a continuous slope measured along the nosing line of treads. The length of a flight is limited to 18 risers to restrict the distance a person could fall down a stair.

Nosing -The leading edge of a tread that usually overhangs the riser below. Tread -The flat surface of a stair on which a person places their foot. Going -The horizontal dimension from the front to the back of a tread less

any overhanging nosing from the next tread above. Riser -The height between the walking surfaces of consecutive treads.

Stair dimensions

RISER (R) mm GOING (G)

Max Min Max Min

190 115 355 240

SLOPE VALUE (2R+G)

Max Min

700 550

C fl ight wi';.h 100· t urn and winders • i'rinders are not acuptab';e

Figure 12.1 Some stai r arrangements

handrails on one or ~oth Sides to suit users

c::: landing

f up

r

long stra ight flight wit h middle la nd ing • allows users t o res t halfway

Figure 12.2 A long straight flight with a landing 95

Figures 12.3 and 12.4 illustrate the dimensions of a preferred stair. The dimensions do not replace those outlined in building regulations. Each step will be safest if it has a:

comfortably sized tread slip resistant tread or nosing solid and non-transparent vertical back, or rise, so that nothing can get caught in between each step nosing in a colour that contrasts with the rest of the tread and does not project more than 25mm, as illustrated in figure 12.4 treads and risers of consistent dimension throughout a flight.

nosing project-lor.

round nose to reduce chance of toe catching

t reads lange enough to adequate footing

be modified by:

• carpeting

no open r"isers

Figure 12.3 Principles of step design

Closed, opaque risers and colour contrasting nosings assist people with vision impairment. A change of flooring surface and colour at the head and foot of a flight of stairs will also assist people with vision impairment.

Stairs should be at least 850mm wide but around 1000mm is easier to negotiate. Stairs greater than 1200mm wide can accommodate a stairlift as illustrated in figure 12.5. Landings should be the same width as the stair and at least 850mm in length. Headroom must be at least 2000mm measured from the line of the nosing as shown in figure 12.6.

going 150 to 165 mm ~referred ~f 25 mm maximum

tread

preferablyt he riser should Iser 170 to 180 mm

insert ion of timber fillet referred

~

uniform riser height

Figure 12.4 Step dimensions

clear opening 850 mm minimum 900 mm preferred 1200 mm will ailow easy movement of furniture and addition of a stair Ifft

~ ~

~ono~e or both sides t o suit the occupants' needs

Figure 12.5 Width of a staircase 96

------.,.,-., 2-way light switch I!!Igood g~r.era l

nghCing 1. minimum h~adroom ~ L- level 'nandrail ~

I§ 2-way light switch Or 5enSOr

fo r !5tep dimen!1iom; see Figure 13.6

(for handrail configur.o..t ion 5U Figure 13.11)

con!1id~r reassed !1helves a"t top and bottom of stairs if wa ll allows

':.:.7

2000 mrr.

consider low /Q:)./'~ level light !1 / /' '

CJ~

Figure 12.6 A straight flight of stairs

good general lighoing lovel

900-1200 mm or Bame dimension as ~tai r widt h ~

~

300

note: upper fligho is offset by one t read

Figure 12.7 A flight of stairs with a landing 97

Stairs must be fitted with a handrail on one side and for people with a preferred hand, handrails may be needed on both sides. Handrails need to be placed so that:

they do not reduce the clear width of the stair They are between 865mm and 1OOOmm apart, and at a height that suits the intended user they are easy to grip they extend 300mm beyond the end of the flight of stairs, with a downward sloping end to indicate to people with impaired vision that there are no more stairs.

~ufficient c.le2lrance bePNcen hand and wa ll

• rail sized for firm grip and good

support rail at correct. height

• rail w mfor't.able to hold

sufficient clea rance between hand and support bracket

Figure 12.8 Comfortable handrail design

Balustrades are necessary whenever there is a change of level exceeding 1OOOmm. This requirement applies to raised decks, stairwells and other changes in level. The Building Code of Australia specifies the dimensions of balustrades and when they must be used. A balustrade will need to be at least 865mm high when associated with a stair and 1 OOOmm high in other locations, as shown in figure 12.10. It must not contain holes or gaps greater than 125mm in diameter.

50 mm minimum

~ 3~-50 mm diameter

I +".- / timber or plastic ~____ f ini!;n preferred

. i r

o E

.~ ~ E E 1 E Ea

§ E

'" S

firm fixing s into framing ~ or t'1a sol1ry

Figure 12.9 Handrail dimensions

a 125 mm diameter sphere must not be able to pass through, any part of the barrier

+1 Ii d \<:: __ i2, 3/ I 1000 mm for decks 865 mm for s"ta irs, landings and ramps

~r'il I'M~D I 'li" ~!

Figure 12.10 Balustrade considerations

98

5 moot h tra ns.it ion between fcot pa t h a nd. ramp

r ~a fet'

m.3y be preferred

~~itl- r'i1 ~ ............. ~ .............................. ~ io

m,ax;mum /dradient 1:14

handrail ctlr ried on fOl· or les$ preferred 300 mm a nd t urned

for wheelcbair us.ers a!'l down 100 mm u~tand or edl3e "'ail

I ~ ·1· ~I level landing ramp length. 9000 mm maximum landings

between landin05 1500 mm preferred

Figure 12.11 An accessible ramp

Ramps

While the Building Code of Australia and referenced Australian Standards

Ramp definitions

Refer to the Building Code of Australia and Australian Standards for complete definitions and regulatory requirements for ramps.

Step-ramp -A short ramp no st~eper than 1:10 and rising no more than 190mm. A step-ramp is intended to enable access at a door threshold or other situations where there is an unavoidable, small change of level.

Ramp -A ramp has a gradient between 1:14 and 1:20 and must be equipped with handrails and kerbs. The controlling dimensions for ramps, handrails and kerbs are detailed in the relevant Australian Standard.

Walkway -A walkway has a gradient no steeper than 1 :20 and does not require handrails or kerbs.

landing -A ramp must have a landing at the top and bottom, at changes of direction and at intervals along its length. A ramp at a gradient of 1':14 should have a landing at 9m intervals. A landing should be a minimum of 1500mm. Landings for ramps should not overlap.

regulate ramps in buildings, the Code does not control ramps in private housing. However, the ramp provisions in the Australian Standards can be applied to domestic ramp projects for their accessibility.

Ramps and inclined walkways offer an easily accessible means of traversing relatively small changes in floor level.

As travel along a ramp demands significant effort, a ramp is not appropriate for a rise of more than one storey. Ramps are most appropriate if they are designed with:

the lowest reasonable gradient, no steeper than 1:14 a horizontal landing providing an opportunity to rest at every 9m and at each change in direction

a handrail and kerbs on both sides a double rail, where appropriate, with the lower rail suited to people of short stature or children.

If it is not possible or not appropriate to install a suitable ramp or step-ramp then another means of changing levels, such as a short-rise lift or a stairlift, may be appropriate.

99

(--, \ I

I ~ ~at in top position "S, I \ 5? wall -mounted -- call up switch~--,-J

1 "

I, (

arm rcst with

controlS! ~at belt

adjustabiewall-mounted fold ing seatcall down

dr:ve motorSWitCh') ~ r; c.asing

. _L~-"l foldint3 footrest ~ \ seat In bOJ¥Jm \ , ~r-position n J \." d ' L}---~'-;,---7'

\ '­(

continupus pres5ure push button control

may be fi tted withFigure 12.12 A standard stai rlift • folding 5Cat • safety rail

safety ral llO'Ner5 after stopping

call button ID

lift irbottomOf­stair pOSiti~ "

I I :L~._ = w

c811 button life In too of stair

position' ~__ _ ~ I \ I I

safety rail

Figure 12.13 Features of a wheelchair platform lift

101