Are you allowed to have a door at the top of a staircase?

[Craig]

Hi all- I am told that current building regs say its not allowed to have door at the top of a stair (ie at the top of the stairs down to the basement from our ground floor hallway).

Is that correct? Which part of the tech guidelines cover this?

Thanks
Craig

 

[MdB]

I think you have to have landing of at least 800mm if I remember right. I'll have a look to see if I can find a reference for you.

edit:
This is what you want:
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADK_1998.pdf

Not sure where I got my 800mm from. Section 1.15 states the landing length and width has to be greater than the width of the stairs. Section 1.16 implies that a door at the top of stairs can't open into the designated landing area. This suggests that the landing at the top of stairs has to be at least as long as the width of the stairs plus the width of the door if the door opens towards the stairs.

 

[biffvernon]

You are allowed to have one, an old one, but you mustn't build a new one.

 

[Craig]

Thanks - thats what I was looking for.

 

[Penners]

Not sure where I got my 800mm from. Section 1.15 states the landing length and width has to be greater than the width of the stairs. Section 1.16 implies that a door at the top of stairs can't open into the designated landing area. This suggests that the landing at the top of stairs has to be at least as long as the width of the stairs plus the width of the door if the door opens towards the stairs.

That's exactly right. At least, it was how the BCO measured it when he inspected my new staircase last year.