Alternating tread stairs

Document Status

Current

Supplement

Building Supplement

Series

Report

Abstract

Studies the use and safety aspects of stairs with alternating treads. Undertaken at the time of the Department of the Environment's review in 1989 of the Building Regulations 1985. Stairs of such shaped treads were of a design which had not previously been used in the UK to any great extent. In the absence of any existing specific evidence about the safety and convenience of these stairs, the purpose of the study was to obtain information on the features of alternating tread stairs, users' experience with them, and their opinions on the ease of use, convenience and safety of the stairs. Similar information was also obtained for the main stairs (i.e. stairs of normal design) in the home to provide a common experience base on which to assess any relative differences in the use of the alternating tread stairs and the main stairs. The purpose of this report is to make the detailed findings known to a wider range of professional bodies, designers and manufacturers, building owners and user groups.

Author

Webber, G. M. B. and Feeney, R. J.

ISBN

9781860810787

Subjects

• Floors/balconies/stairs
• Building structure
• Stairs

Publisher History

BRE is a building science centre that generates new knowledge through research. This is used to create products, tools and standards that drive positive change across the built environment. BRE helps its government and private sector clients meet the significant environmental, social and economic challenges they face in delivering homes, buildings and communities. BRE is owned by the BRE Trust, a registered charity. The Trust uses the profits made by the BRE companies to fund research and education that advances knowledge of the built environment.