Stairs (Maintenance Access) Building Codes & Rules
- Design safe maintenance stairs for plant rooms: 600 mm width, 600 mm landings, guardrails, non‑slip treads, and durable materials.
AS 1657:2018, 4.5
Protective MeshAS 1657:2018, 4.5
- Required where
- Space below is accessible
- Walkway surface is grated or perforated
- ≤ 15mm gaps to prevent falling debris
AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.2 (b)
AS 1657:2018, 5.5
≥ 100AS 1657:2018, 5.5
AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.2 (b)
AS 1657:2018, 7.2.1
20° to 45°AS 1657:2018, 7.2.1
AS 1657:2018, 5.5
AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.1
Toeboard
AS 1657:2018, 7.2.1
≥ 600AS 1657:2018, 7.2.1
AS 1657:2018, 5.6.2
AS 1657:2018, 8.3
AS 1657:2018, 8.2
Label InstallationAS 1657:2018, 8.3
- ≥ 7 years labels life expectancy
- Durable & clearly readable with informational requirements -
- Name of Installer, Manufacturer & Certifier
- Installation & Inspection Date
- Note compliance with Manufacturer’s Recommendations & AS 1657:2018
- Non-conformance will be noted on the certificate, with a label affixed if the installation fails to meet the standard
Label DocumentationsAS 1657:2018, 8.2
- Documentation requirements such
- Listing of any unique components' Serial Numbers,
- Any special provisional use such training, add'l equipment, etc.
- Mandated Inspection, Testing, & Servicing schedule
- Other additional relevant information
- Conforming statement with AS 1657 & other relevant standards
AS 1657:2018, 7.2.2
Flight 2 to 18 RisersAS 1657:2018, 7.2.2
AS 1657:2018, 7.2.3.2
AS 1657:2018, 7.2.1
≥ 550AS 1657:2018, 7.2.1
AS 1657:2018, 3.1.5
2m clearAS 1657:2018, 3.1.5
AS 1657:2018, 7.2.2
Stairs FlightAS 1657:2018, 7.2.2
- 2 to 18 risers in a single flight
- ≤ 36 Riser Fall Risk limited by
- ≥ 2m landing length
- Barrier
- ≥ 90° direction change
AS 1657:2018, 7.2.3
Treads & RisersAS 1657:2018, 7.2.3
- 130 to 225mm Riser
- 215 to 355mm Going
- ± 5mm overall Tolerance
- Slip-resistant material
AS 1657:2018, 7.2.3
AS 1657:2018, 7.2.3
Nosing Line
AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.4
Stairs Guardrail InfillAS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.4
- Constructed from
- Pipe,
- Solid or Perforated Plate,
- Expanded Mesh,
- Weldmesh, or
- Other material with same characteristics
- ≤ 0.2 m² mesh opening
- Free from sharp edges
Fall
Handrail
Protective Mesh
AS 1657:2018, 7.2.4
LandingsAS 1657:2018, 7.2.4
- ≥ 600mm length
- ≥ 600mm standing space
- free from door swings and any obstructions
AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.2 (c)
AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.1
AS 1657:2018, 7.2.6
Gap between HandrailsAS 1657:2018, 7.2.6
- 50 to 100 Vertical closure bend
- ≥ 100 Continuous Top & Intermediate Railing
Any Direction
AS 1657:2018, 4.1.1
Maintenance Access Selector
Handrail
- ≥ 1m stairs width[1]
- Provide handrails on both sides
- Free from obstructions
Handrail RULES
NCC 2022 V2
All Building Classes
NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D22 [2019 D2.18]
May 2023
NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D22
AS 1657:2018, 5.6
- Dimension and clearances for Handrails to the NCCNCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D22
- Handrail Profile may beAS 1657:2018, 5.6
- 900 to 1100mm height from Walkway surface
- ≥ 50mm clearance from adjacent structure
- ≥ 240mm clearance for longitudinal movement
- Ø 30 to 65mm if circular, or
- 30 to 60mm width if square or rectangular, where
- Sum of height and width between 70 to 100mm
- Round edges fixed in place to prevent injuries
- Clearance as per image below
AS 1657:2018, 7.2.6
- ≥ 1m stairs widthAS 1657:2018, 7.2.6
- Provide handrails on both sides
- Free from obstructions
Headroom
- Should allow passage of a person standing upright[1]
Headroom RULES
NCC 2022 V1
All Building Classes
NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23 [2019 D2.18]
May 2023
NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23
AS 1657:2018, 3.1.5
- Height for Headroom to the NCCNCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23
- ≥ 2m above finished floor levelAS 1657:2018, 3.1.5
- Increased where helmets are worn, while
- < 2m above finished floor level as a limited exception
- Padding, highlighting, signage, or additional lighting should be provided
AS 1657:2018, 3.1.5
- Should allow passage of a person standing uprightAS 1657:2018, 3.1.5
Guardrailing
- Not required if permanent Structure ≤ 100mm from walkway[1]
- Toeboard installed where no permanent structures within 10mm of edges[2]
Toeboard RULES
NCC 2022 V2
All Building Classes
NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23 [2019 D2.18]
May 2023
NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23
AS 1657:2018, 5.5
- Requirements for Toeboard to the NCCNCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23
- Installed on edge of a Walkway whereAS 1657:2018, 5.5
- There is no permanent structure within 10mm of Walkway edge
- An object could fall below and to the side of the Walkway
- ≤ 10mm Walkway edge clearance from any structure
- ≤ 10mm Gap between underside of Toeboard and Walkway Surface
- ≥ 100mm Distance between top of toe board and permanent structure
Guardrailing RULES
NCC 2022 V2
All Building Classes
NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23 [2019 D2.18]
May 2023
NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23
AS 1657:2018, 5.4.1
AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.1
AS 1657:2018, 5.4.1
- Requirements for Guardrailing to the NCCNCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23
- Must be installed on all sides of a walkway to prevent people from reaching adjacent area, if adjacent areaAS 1657:2018, 5.4.1
- Has ≥ 12° slope, or
- Is not fit for walking on
- ≥ 900mm above the floorAS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.1, or
- ≥ 1m to provide additional safety
- Significant fall height or strong wind forces
ExceptionsAS 1657:2018, 5.4.1
- Points of access from Stairways & Ladder
- Permanent structure ≤ 100mm from the edge of the Walkway
- ≤ 300mm above an adjacent safe area &
- ≤ 3° cross-slope to Walkway,
- ≤ 12° downslope to adjacent area, &
- ≥ 2m width of adjacent area
AS 1657:2018, 7.2.5
AS 1657:2018, 6.1.2
- Not required if permanent Structure ≤ 100mm from walkwayAS 1657:2018, 7.2.5
- Toeboard installed where no permanent structures within 10mm of edgesAS 1657:2018, 6.1.2
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