Rung Ladder Building Codes & Rules

- Ensure safety in maintenance access: Learn about rung ladder requirements, cage installation, and access variations. Maximise efficiency with Tools™

75°

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.7 (g)

≥ 750

clear^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.7 (g)}

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1

≥ 1m^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1}

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.5

≤ 1 : 8 (7°)^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.5}

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1

525 to 675^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1}

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1

≥ 50^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1}

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.7 (g)

≥ 700

clear^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.7 (g)}

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.4

= R to 0.9 x R^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.4}

AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6 (b)

≥ 600^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6 (b)}

from Back of Rung

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1

≥ 50^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1}

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.5 (d)

135°^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.5 (d)}

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.1

Ø 20 to 50^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.1}

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.2.1

375 to 525^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.2.1}

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.2 (a)

R = 250 to 300^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.2 (a)}

AS 1657:2018, 2.2 (e)

70°to 90°^{AS 1657:2018, 2.2 (e)}

Slope

AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6 (a)

≥ 900^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6 (a)}

Fall

Stile easily grasped

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.5 (a)

200

clear^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.5 (a)}

AS 1657:2018, 7.3.2

≤ 6m^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.2}

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.2

90 to 175^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.2}

AS 1657:2018, 4.1.1

≤ 1 : 20 (0° to 3°)^{AS 1657:2018, 4.1.1}

Bottom Rung

≤ 90% reduction to rung spacing allowed for tolerance^[1]
Measured from centre line

Rung RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 D2D21, D2D22, I1D6, I3D5

[2019 D1.16 - 17, H1.6, H3.5]

May 2023

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.1

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.2 (a)

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.2 (b)

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.4

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.1

Access to a service platform, rigging loft, and the like, to comply to NCC Parts D2, I1, I3, & AS 1657
Ø 20 to 50mm, top may be flattened^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.1}
R = 250 to 300mm^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.2 (a)} evenly spaced, measure
to centreline
spacing, not riser height
R can reduce if ladder length ≤ 1m^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.2 (b)}
R at base can be reduced by ≤ 90%^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.4}
± 5mm tolerance allowed ± 2mm preferred
Top rung level with Landing
Slip-resistant to top surface^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.1}
Corrugated, knurled
Coated
If Steel
Hot-dip galvanised or
Coated with corrossion-resistant material
Fastened securely & fixed in place

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.4

≤ 90% reduction to rung spacing allowed for tolerance^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.4}
Measured from centre line

Step Through Access

≥ 1m extension of Stiles^[1]
525 to 675mm between Stiles^[2]
No or 50 to 100mm gap Rung to Landing^[3]
50mm hand clearance around Stiles^[4]

Top Access RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 D2D21, D2D22, I1D6, I3D5

[2019 D1.16 - 17, H1.6, H3.5]

May 2023

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.2

Access to a service platform, rigging loft, and the like, to comply to NCC Parts D2, I1, I3, & AS 1657
Fixed ladders must allow for safe access at Landings
Step through ladders must be wider between stiles^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1}
≥ 1m extension of Stiles
525 to 675mm clearance
50mm hand clearance around Stiles (ladder brackets & cage fixings may intrude)
Side Access part of ladder must be consistent with below^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.2}
≥ 1m extension of Rungs & Stiles
90 to 175mm gap between Stile & Landing

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1

≥ 1m extension of Stiles^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1}
525 to 675mm between Stiles^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1}
No or 50 to 100mm gap Rung to Landing^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1}
50mm hand clearance around Stiles^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1}

Fall Risk

> 6m fall risk requires a Ladder Cage^[1]

Fall Prevention RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 D2D21, D2D22, I1D6, I3D5

[2019 D1.16 - 17, H1.6, H3.5]

May 2023

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.7 (b)

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.7 (c)

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.7 (d)

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.7 (a)

Access to a service platform, rigging loft, and the like, to comply to NCC Parts D2, I1, I3, & AS 1657
Fall arrest system to AS/NZS 1891 may be used where a cage is not practical
Fall risk should take into account if possible to fall past the bottom landing
Ladder cage shall
not allow Ø 150mm sphere to pass through^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.7 (b)}
extend 1m above top landing or to height of guardrail^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.7 (c)}
terminate 2m to 2.2m above bottom landing^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.7 (d)}
have no internal projections^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.7 (a)}

AS 1657:2018, 7.3.2

> 6m fall risk requires a Ladder Cage^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.2}

Stile

Ø 40 to 80mm cross sectional profile^[1]
50mm clearance^[2]

Stile RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 D2D21, D2D22, I1D6, I3D5

[2019 D1.16 - 17, H1.6, H3.5]

May 2023

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.2.1

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.2.2

Access to a service platform, rigging loft, and the like, to comply to NCC Parts D2, I1, I3, & AS 1657
375 to 525mm clearance between Stiles^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.2.1}
Cross sectional profile may be any shape provided it fits within a Ø 40 to 80mm circle^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.2.2}

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.2.2

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1

Ø 40 to 80mm cross sectional profile^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.2.2}
50mm clearance^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1}

Landings

≥ 900mm Length^[1]
≥ 600mm Width^[2]
≤ 6m between landings^[3]

Landing RULES

NCC 2022 V3

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 D2D21, D2D22, D3D15, I1D6, I3D5

[2019 D1.16 - 17, D2.14, H1.6, H3.5]

May 2023

AS 1657:2018, 4.1.1

AS 1657:2018, 5.1.1 (b)

AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6 (c)

AS 1657:2018, 3.2.3.2

AS 1657:2018, 3.2.3.4

AS 1657:2018, 4.5

AS 1657:2018, 5.5

Access to a service platform, rigging loft, and the like, to comply to NCC Parts D2, D3, I1, I3, & AS 1657
≤ 3° slope in any direction^{AS 1657:2018, 4.1.1}
≤ 7° allowed where fixed to a sloping Roof^{AS 1657:2018, 5.1.1 (b)}
≥ 2m headroom^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6 (c)}
≤ 10mm gap between floor panels^{AS 1657:2018, 3.2.3.2}
≤ 45mm openings in floor grate (≤ 5000mm² opening area)^{AS 1657:2018, 3.2.3.4}
Protect area below a platform from falling objects
> Ø15mm through Floor Grating^{AS 1657:2018, 4.5} or 12mm square mesh suspended below
≤ 10mm gap to side of floor with a Toe board or other permanent structure beside^{AS 1657:2018, 5.5}

AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6 (a)

AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6 (b)

AS 1288:2006, 7.3.6

≥ 900mm Length^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6 (a)}
≥ 600mm Width^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6 (b)}
≤ 6m between landings^{AS 1288:2006, 7.3.6}

AS 1657:2018, 3.1.5

≥ 2m^{AS 1657:2018, 3.1.5}

Side Access

Shown dashed
≥ 1m extension of Rungs & Stiles^[1]
375 to 525mm between stiles^[2]
90 to 175mm gap from Stile to Landing^[3]

Top Access RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 D2D21, D2D22, I1D6, I3D5

[2019 D1.16 - 17, H1.6, H3.5]

May 2023

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.2

Access to a service platform, rigging loft, and the like, to comply to NCC Parts D2, I1, I3, & AS 1657
Fixed ladders must allow for safe access at Landings
Step through ladders must be wider between stiles^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.1}
≥ 1m extension of Stiles
525 to 675mm clearance
50mm hand clearance around Stiles (ladder brackets & cage fixings may intrude)
Side Access part of ladder must be consistent with below^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.2}
≥ 1m extension of Rungs & Stiles
90 to 175mm gap between Stile & Landing

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.2

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.2.1

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.2

Shown dashed
≥ 1m extension of Rungs & Stiles^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.2}
375 to 525mm between stiles^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.2.1}
90 to 175mm gap from Stile to Landing^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.2}

Rungs

Ø 20 to 50mm^[1]
Top slip resistant
R = 250 to 300mm equally spaced^[2]
Top rung level with Landing

Rung RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 D2D21, D2D22, I1D6, I3D5

[2019 D1.16 - 17, H1.6, H3.5]

May 2023

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.1

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.2 (a)

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.2 (b)

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.4

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.1

Access to a service platform, rigging loft, and the like, to comply to NCC Parts D2, I1, I3, & AS 1657
Ø 20 to 50mm, top may be flattened^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.1}
R = 250 to 300mm^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.2 (a)} evenly spaced, measure
to centreline
spacing, not riser height
R can reduce if ladder length ≤ 1m^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.2 (b)}
R at base can be reduced by ≤ 90%^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.4}
± 5mm tolerance allowed ± 2mm preferred
Top rung level with Landing
Slip-resistant to top surface^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.1}
Corrugated, knurled
Coated
If Steel
Hot-dip galvanised or
Coated with corrossion-resistant material
Fastened securely & fixed in place

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.1

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.2 (a)

Ø 20 to 50mm^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.1}
Top slip resistant
R = 250 to 300mm equally spaced^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.2 (a)}
Top rung level with Landing