When is a stairway a stairway?

• Accessible handrails to be provided on both sides of the stairs with appropriate handrail terminations/extensions in accordance with AS1428.1, Clauses 11.2, 12(g) and Figures 26(B), 26C) & 28.
• The minimum width between handrails must be 1000mm (AS1428.1, Figure 26(A)).
• Provide tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs) in accordance with AS/NZS1428.4.1 to top and bottom landings of stairs.
• Contrasting strips required between 50mm and 75mm in depth, extending across the full width of each stair nosing with a minimum luminance contrast of 30% to the background in accordance with AS1428.1, Clauses 11.1(f) & 11.1(g).
• Stair not to have open or translucent risers (AS1428.1, Clause 11.1(c)).
• Stair nosings must not have any projections or overhangs and nosing profiles need to be appropriately designed (AS1428.1, Clause 11.1(d) & (e))
• A stair that intersects at a property boundary is to be set back a minimum of 900mm (AS1428.1, Clause 11.1(a))
• The stair needs to be appropriately setback to avoid the required handrail extensions and terminations from projecting into the transverse paths (top and bottom) (AS1428.1, Clause 11.1(b))
• First ascending riser to be offset on any intermediate landings to ensure internal handrail transitions between flights correctly (AS1428.1, fig 28)

Therefore, to answer the question, ‘When is a stairway a stairway’, two (or more) continuous steps would be considered a stairway and will trigger TGSIs, handrails, nosing strips etc (as per Clause 11 and as summarised above).

Tiered stepped / terrace areas

However, if the steps were treated as two separate independent steps then they would not be a stairway. This would ultimately be considered by the relevant building surveyor/certifier, but our view is that if a compliant landing (as per BCA D2.14) of 750mm separates the two steps then they could be seen as independent of each other.

Stair tread nosing strip requirements

As a footnote, when providing the nosing strips, please ensure they comply as there are some products on the market that do not comply. See the Guardian website for an example, but get the slimline version to comply with AS1428.1, Clause 11.1(g).

http://www.stair-nosing.com.au/stairnosing.html

Nosing strips must comply with  AS1428.1, Clauses 11.1(f) & 11.1(g).

Contrasting strips are required between 50mm and 75mm in depth, extending across the full width of each stair nosing with a minimum luminance contrast of 30% to the background in accordance with AS1428.1, Clauses 11.1(f) & 11.1(g).

Emergency Stairs

When the stairs are used just for emergency use and are constructed as fire-isolated stairs they need to have contrasting strips at each stair tread (BCA Clause D3.3 (a)(iii) & AS 1428.1 Clause 11.1(f)(g)).

All exit stairs, regardless if they are fire-isolated or not need to have at least one handrail with a profile compliant with Clause 12 of AS 1428.1 (BCA Clause D2.17(a)(vi), including handrail terminations that comply with one of the options provided in Figure 26(C) & 26(D). Please note that the 300mm handrail horizontal extensions are not required in this case (though can still be provided to assist people).

Stair Slip Rating

Please also note that BCA, Clause D2.13(a)(v)  requires a class P4 slip-resistant surface provided to each general access stair or fire-isolated stair nosing strip or stair tread, where there is the potential for the area to be wet (i.e. outside) and a rating P3 when the stair is in dry conditions (AS4586:2013). The same ratings are applicable to the stair landings. Read more on BCA Slip Resistant Requirements here. We recommend P4 rating throughout all stairs.

If you have any questions please contact this office.