From the book Ergonomics, standards and guidelines from designers, by
Stephen Pheasant, p124, the space requirements in corridors, hallways
and other circulation areas suggests the width of access for one person
walking, another flattened against the wall is 1000mm. As there is a
chance that two people may have to cross on the stairs this seems a
reasonable value.
In Templer's book The Staircase, studies of hazards, falls and safer
design on page 63 there is a table of factors affecting the width of a
single file stair, which comes up with a total of 98cm.
Larger widths allow side by side walking, but may make it more difficult
for someone to use both handrails. The use of both handrails includes
details like the fixing height and the height of the person, as well as
the distance between them, and I cannot find a reference for this
measure in Adultdata, my bible for the size of people's bits.
Hope that helps
Mike
Dr Michael Wright
Environment Division
BRE
Garston
Watford
WD25 9XX
01923 664490
-----Original Message-----
From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of John Gregory
Sent: 08 June 2006 15:39
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ACCESSIBUILT] Explanation Required
Hi All,
Could someone indicate why there needs to be a minimum 1m clear width
between handrails on stairs? Both AD M and BS 8300 quote this figure,
but give no reason for requiring such a figure. The only explanation
given is for having handrails on both sides - which is reasonable and
easily argued when dealing with designers. What is more difficult is to
argue for a 1000mm width between handrails when niether of these
documents give an explanation..
If anyone has a solid explanation for this which I could use to persuade
a designer, could they please let me know?
Regards.
John.
John Gregory
Access Officer
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