Maintenance Access Selector Building Codes & Rules

- Optimise design & installation with Tools™: Maintenance Access Selector. Ensure compliance & efficiency in platforms, walkways, stairways, & ladders.

Stair Handrail & Guardrail

Handrail required
Both sides if > 1m width^[1]
≥ 550mm clear width^[2]
Guardrail required if Risk of Fall^[3]

Guardrailing RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 D3D23 [D2.18]

May 2023

AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.1

AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.2 (b)

AS 1657:2018, 6.1.2

AS 1657:2018, 4.6

AS 1657:2018, 5.4.1

AS 1657:2018, 4.4 (c)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23

Handrails for fixed platforms, walkways, stairways, & ladders to comply to NCC Part D3D23 & AS 1657^{AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.1}
≥ 900mm top rail height (1m preferred)^{AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.2 (b)}
≤ 450mm opening between intermediate rails^{AS 1657:2018, 6.1.2}
Toeboard to all Guardrails at Walkways & Landings^{AS 1657:2018, 4.6AS 1657:2018, 5.4.1}
Not required on Stair flights
Required to all sides & ends of the walkway, unless^{AS 1657:2018, 5.4.1}
access point to a Stair or Ladder, or
≤ 100mm gap to an adjacent structure forming a Barrier, or
≤ 300mm above an adjacent safe trafficable surface, &
≤ 3° cross fall to the Walkway
Required wherever ≤ 2m from a surface^{AS 1657:2018, 4.4 (c)NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23}
falling away at ≥ 12°, & / or
≥ 300mm fall height

Handrail RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 D3D23 [D2.18]

May 2023

AS 1657:2018, 5.6.2

AS 1657:2018, 5.6.4.1

AS 1657:2018, 5.6.3

NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23

AS 1657:2018, 5.6.4.2

Handrails for fixed platforms, walkways, stairways, & ladders to comply to NCC Part D3D23 & AS 1657^{AS 1657:2018, 5.6.2}
900mm to 1.1m above floor, walkway or nosing^{AS 1657:2018, 5.6.4.1}
Circular^{AS 1657:2018, 5.6.3}
Ø 30 to 65mm (Ø 40mm preferred)
Rectangular^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23}
30 to 60mm wide, &
sum of Height & Width 70 to 100mm
50mm hand clearance with 240° clear grip^{AS 1657:2018, 5.6.4.2}

AS 1657:2018, 7.2.6

AS 1657:2018, 7.2.1

AS 1657:2018, 7.2.5

Handrail required
Both sides if > 1m width^{AS 1657:2018, 7.2.6}
≥ 550mm clear width^{AS 1657:2018, 7.2.1}
Guardrail required if Risk of Fall^{AS 1657:2018, 7.2.5}

Ladders

Fall protection required if > 6m^[1]
Stairs preferred if room allows^[2]
70 to 75° preferred for a Rung Ladder^[3]

Step Ladder RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All building classes

AS 1657 2018, 7.3

18 Apr 2018 to Current

AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6

AS 1657:2018, 7.3.4

AS 1657:2018, 7.3.1

AS 1657:2018, 7.3.3.1

AS 1657:2018, 7.3.3.2

AS 1657:2018, 7.3.4

NCC 2022 Vol 1, D2D1 (1)

Access to a service platform, rigging loft, and the like, to comply to NCC Parts D2, D3, I1, I3, & AS 1657^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6}
≤ 6m height between Landings^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.4}
550 to 750mm clear width^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.1}
≥ 100mm depth x 450 to 750mm Tread width^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.3.1AS 1657:2018, 7.3.3.2}
200 to 300mm Riser height^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.4}
Handrail required & starts 900mm above Landing^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, D2D1 (1)}

Rung Ladder RULES

NCC 2022 V3

All building classes

AS 1657 2018, 7.4

18 Apr 2018 to Current

AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.2.1

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.5 (c)

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.4

NCC 2022 Vol 1, D2D1 (1)

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.2

Access to a service platform, rigging loft, and the like, to comply to NCC Parts D2, D3, I1, I3, & AS 1657^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6}
≤ 6m height between Landings^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.2.1AS 1657:2018, 7.4.5 (c)}
375 to 520mm width between stiles^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.8.4}
700 clear width^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, D2D1 (1)}
≥ 1m height, 250 to 300mm Rung spacing^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.2}
if ≤ 1m height, 300 rung spacing equally

AS 1657:2018, 7.3.2

AS 1657:2018, G3

AS 1657:2018, 2.2

Fall protection required if > 6m^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.2}
Stairs preferred if room allows^{AS 1657:2018, G3}
70 to 75° preferred for a Rung Ladder^{AS 1657:2018, 2.2}

Ladder - Rung

High Risk Ladders

Only use where other options are not possible^[1]^[2]
Fall protection required if > 3.5m

Single Stile Ladder 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, 7.5.4.1 (d)

AS 1657:2018, 7.5.4.1 (a)

AS 1657:2018, 7.5.4.2 (a)

AS 1657:2018, 7.5.3

NCC 2022 Vol 1, D2D1 (1)

Access to a service platform, rigging loft, and the like, to comply to NCC Parts D2, I1, I3, & AS 1657^{AS 1657:2018, 7.5.4.1 (d)}
375 to 550mm between rung upturns^{AS 1657:2018, 7.5.4.1 (a)}
≥ Ø20mm Rungs^{AS 1657:2018, 7.5.4.2 (a)}
250 to 300mm Rung spacing^{AS 1657:2018, 7.5.3}
Can reduce to 200mm for Ladders ≤ 1.5m high
≤ 80mm Stile width^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, D2D1 (1)}

Step Iron RULES

NCC 2022 V3

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 D2D21, D2D22, I1D6, I3D5

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

May 2023

AS 1657:2018, 7.6.3.3

NCC 2022 Vol 1, D2D1 (1)

AS 1657:2018, 7.6.3.2

Access to a service platform, rigging loft, and the like, to comply to NCC Parts D2, I1, I3, & AS 1657^{AS 1657:2018, 7.6.3.3}
≥ Ø20mm Rungs^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, D2D1 (1)}
20mm upturn at both ends to prevent foot slippage
≥ 1m height, 250 to 300mm Rung spacing^{AS 1657:2018, 7.6.3.2}
if ≤ 1m height, 300 rung spacing equally

AS 1657:2018, 7.5.1

AS 1657:2018, 7.6.1

Only use where other options are not possible^{AS 1657:2018, 7.5.1}^{AS 1657:2018, 7.6.1}
Fall protection required if > 3.5m

AS 1657:2018, 5.4.2

Handrail required^{AS 1657:2018, 5.4.2}

AS 1657:2018, 5.3.3

AS 1657:2018, 5.3.2

Cleats required^{AS 1657:2018, 5.3.3AS 1657:2018, 5.3.2}

Ladder - Step

Walkway Handrail & Guardrail

≥ 15° slope requires a Handrail^[1]
≥ 550mm clear width^[2]
Guardrail required if Risk of Fall^[3]

Guardrailing RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 D3D23 [D2.18]

May 2023

AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.1

AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.2 (b)

AS 1657:2018, 6.1.2

AS 1657:2018, 4.6

AS 1657:2018, 5.4.1

AS 1657:2018, 4.4 (c)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23

Handrails for fixed platforms, walkways, stairways, & ladders to comply to NCC Part D3D23 & AS 1657^{AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.1}
≥ 900mm top rail height (1m preferred)^{AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.2 (b)}
≤ 450mm opening between intermediate rails^{AS 1657:2018, 6.1.2}
Toeboard to all Guardrails at Walkways & Landings^{AS 1657:2018, 4.6AS 1657:2018, 5.4.1}
Not required on Stair flights
Required to all sides & ends of the walkway, unless^{AS 1657:2018, 5.4.1}
access point to a Stair or Ladder, or
≤ 100mm gap to an adjacent structure forming a Barrier, or
≤ 300mm above an adjacent safe trafficable surface, &
≤ 3° cross fall to the Walkway
Required wherever ≤ 2m from a surface^{AS 1657:2018, 4.4 (c)NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23}
falling away at ≥ 12°, & / or
≥ 300mm fall height

Handrail RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 D3D23 [D2.18]

May 2023

AS 1657:2018, 5.6.2

AS 1657:2018, 5.6.4.1

AS 1657:2018, 5.6.3

NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23

AS 1657:2018, 5.6.4.2

Handrails for fixed platforms, walkways, stairways, & ladders to comply to NCC Part D3D23 & AS 1657^{AS 1657:2018, 5.6.2}
900mm to 1.1m above floor, walkway or nosing^{AS 1657:2018, 5.6.4.1}
Circular^{AS 1657:2018, 5.6.3}
Ø 30 to 65mm (Ø 40mm preferred)
Rectangular^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23}
30 to 60mm wide, &
sum of Height & Width 70 to 100mm
50mm hand clearance with 240° clear grip^{AS 1657:2018, 5.6.4.2}

AS 1657:2018, 5.1.3 (a)

AS 1657:2018, 5.4.2

≥ 15° slope requires a Handrail^{AS 1657:2018, 5.1.3 (a)}
≥ 550mm clear width^{AS 1657:2018, 5.4.2}
Guardrail required if Risk of Fall^{AS 1657:2018, 5.4.2}

Sloping

Level

Step

Step Irons

Rung

Single Stile

Stair Geometry

≥ 600mm width Treads^[1]
2 to 18 Risers in a Flight^[2][3]
≥ 2m Headroom^[4]

Stair RULES

NCC 2022 V2

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 D2D21, D2D22, I1D6, I3D5

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

May 2023

NCC 2022 Vol 1, D2D1 (1)

Access to a service platform, rigging loft, and the like, to comply to NCC Parts D2, I1, I3, & AS 1657^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, D2D1 (1)}

AS 1657:2018, 7.2.1

NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D14 (1) (a)

NCC 2022 HP, 11.2.2 (1) (a)

AS 1657:2018, 7.2.3.3

≥ 600mm width Treads^{AS 1657:2018, 7.2.1}
2 to 18 Risers in a Flight^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D14 (1) (a)NCC 2022 HP, 11.2.2 (1) (a)}
≥ 2m Headroom^{AS 1657:2018, 7.2.3.3}

Walkway Surfaces

≤ 7° cross fall^[1]
Non-slip^[2]
Cleated if ≥ 10° incline^[3]

Walkway SLIP RESISTANCE

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 D3D11, D3D14, D3D15, 11.2.4

[2019 D2.10, D2.13, D2.14, 3.9.1.4]

May 2023

AS 1657:2018, 5.3.3

AS 1657:2018, 3.1.3

NCC 2022 HP, 11.2.4

Walkway surfaces to be slip-resistant to NCC Parts D3D11, D3D14, D3D15, 11.2.4, & AS 1657^{AS 1657:2018, 5.3.3}
Metal Cleats ≥ 10 x 10mm & perpendicular to travel direction spaced^{AS 1657:2018, 3.1.3}
> 10 to ≤ 15° @ 450mm CTS
> 15 to ≤ 18° @ 400mm CTS
> 18° @ 350mm CTS
Grating selection to flatter gradients should be selected depending on use, spillage risk & weather exposure to maintain a safe working surface^{NCC 2022 HP, 11.2.4}

AS 1657:2018, 5.1.1 (b)

AS 1657:2018, 5.3.2

AS 1657:2018, 5.3.3

≤ 7° cross fall^{AS 1657:2018, 5.1.1 (b)}
Non-slip^{AS 1657:2018, 5.3.2}
Cleated if ≥ 10° incline^{AS 1657:2018, 5.3.3}

Walkway Geometry

≥ 600mm width^[1]
≤ 18m between landings where risk of person sliding or rolling^[2]
≥ 2m Headroom^[3]

Walkway 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, 5.1.3

AS 1657:2018, 3.1.5

NCC 2022 Vol 1, D2D1 (1)

Access to a service platform, rigging loft, and the like, to comply to NCC Parts D2, I1, I3, & AS 1657^{AS 1657:2018, 5.1.3}
≥ 600mm width walkway^{AS 1657:2018, 3.1.5}
≥ 550mm clear between guard / hand rails
≥ 600mm clear where a structure forms part of the barrier
≥ 2m headroom^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, D2D1 (1)}
Increase if hardhats are worn
May be reduced in limited applications where signage, highlighting padding used to protect users

AS 1657:2018, 5.1.4

AS 1657:2018, 5.1.3 (a)

AS 1657:2018, 5.4.2

≥ 600mm width^{AS 1657:2018, 5.1.4}
≤ 18m between landings where risk of person sliding or rolling^{AS 1657:2018, 5.1.3 (a)}
≥ 2m Headroom^{AS 1657:2018, 5.4.2}

Walkway Landings

≥ 2m length^[1]
≤ 3° crossfall^[2]

Landing RULES

NCC 2022 V1

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

NCC 2022 Vol 1, D2D1 (1)

Access to a service platform, rigging loft, and the like, to comply to NCC Parts D2, D3, I1, I3, & AS 1657^{AS 1657:2018, 4.1.1}
≤ 3° slope in any direction^{AS 1657:2018, 5.1.1 (b)}
≤ 7° allowed where fixed to a sloping Roof^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6 (c)}
≥ 2m headroom^{AS 1657:2018, 3.2.3.2}
≤ 10mm gap between floor panels^{AS 1657:2018, 3.2.3.4}
≤ 45mm openings in floor grate (≤ 5000mm² opening area)^{AS 1657:2018, 4.5}
Protect area below a platform from falling objects
> Ø15mm through Floor Grating^{AS 1657:2018, 5.5} or 12mm square mesh suspended below
≤ 10mm gap to side of floor with a Toe board or other permanent structure beside^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, D2D1 (1)}

AS 1657:2018, 5.1.1

AS 1657:2018, 5.4.2 (b)

≥ 2m length^{AS 1657:2018, 5.1.1}
≤ 3° crossfall^{AS 1657:2018, 5.4.2 (b)}

Ramps & Walkways

Stairs (Maintenance Access)

Ladder Landings

≥ 900mm length^[1]
≤ 7° crossfall^[2]

Guardrailing RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 D3D23 [D2.18]

May 2023

AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.1

AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.2 (b)

AS 1657:2018, 6.1.2

AS 1657:2018, 4.6

AS 1657:2018, 5.4.1

AS 1657:2018, 4.4 (c)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23

Handrails for fixed platforms, walkways, stairways, & ladders to comply to NCC Part D3D23 & AS 1657^{AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.1}
≥ 900mm top rail height (1m preferred)^{AS 1657:2018, 6.2.1.2 (b)}
≤ 450mm opening between intermediate rails^{AS 1657:2018, 6.1.2}
Toeboard to all Guardrails at Walkways & Landings^{AS 1657:2018, 4.6AS 1657:2018, 5.4.1}
Not required on Stair flights
Required to all sides & ends of the walkway, unless^{AS 1657:2018, 5.4.1}
access point to a Stair or Ladder, or
≤ 100mm gap to an adjacent structure forming a Barrier, or
≤ 300mm above an adjacent safe trafficable surface, &
≤ 3° cross fall to the Walkway
Required wherever ≤ 2m from a surface^{AS 1657:2018, 4.4 (c)NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D23}
falling away at ≥ 12°, & / or
≥ 300mm fall height

Landing RULES

NCC 2022 V1

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

NCC 2022 Vol 1, D2D1 (1)

Access to a service platform, rigging loft, and the like, to comply to NCC Parts D2, D3, I1, I3, & AS 1657^{AS 1657:2018, 4.1.1}
≤ 3° slope in any direction^{AS 1657:2018, 5.1.1 (b)}
≤ 7° allowed where fixed to a sloping Roof^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6 (c)}
≥ 2m headroom^{AS 1657:2018, 3.2.3.2}
≤ 10mm gap between floor panels^{AS 1657:2018, 3.2.3.4}
≤ 45mm openings in floor grate (≤ 5000mm² opening area)^{AS 1657:2018, 4.5}
Protect area below a platform from falling objects
> Ø15mm through Floor Grating^{AS 1657:2018, 5.5} or 12mm square mesh suspended below
≤ 10mm gap to side of floor with a Toe board or other permanent structure beside^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, D2D1 (1)}

AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6 (a)

AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.5

≥ 900mm length^{AS 1657:2018, 7.3.6 (a)}
≤ 7° crossfall^{AS 1657:2018, 7.4.3.5}