If you aren’t familiar with UK building regulations, or building codes in general, you might be wondering; “what does Approved Document K cover?” or “what is Approved Document K relevant to?”. There are several specific works and practices that the UK Approved Document K latest version (2013) covers, such as stairs, ramps, glazing, among others. Below, we discuss some specific requirements that you should know.

Requirements in Approved Document Part K: Stairs & Ramps

Stairs and ramps are two of the most common accessways used in public and private spaces around the world. That is why it is critical that they be designed to make movement between levels both safe and comfortable for the users. In the UK, Approved Document K explicitly requires the following to be the standard for stairs and ramps:

• Steps and ramps must be safe, uniform, and slip-resistant.
• All steps in a flight must have equal rise and going.
• Private stairs (homes): max rise 220 mm, min going 220 mm, max pitch 42°.
• Public stairs: max rise 180 mm, min going 280 mm.
• Headroom: minimum 2.0 m above the pitch line.
• Landings: required at the top and bottom of every flight; must be at least as long as the stair width.
• Ramps: maximum gradient 1:12 for short rises (up to 500 mm); gentler slopes (e.g. 1:15–1:20) for longer ramps.
• Handrails: at least one side on private stairs or ramps, both sides on public or wide ones; height 900–1000 mm.
• Guarding: needed where a fall of 600 mm or more could occur; height 900 mm on stairs/ramps, 1100 mm on landings.
• Gaps in guarding: must not allow a 100 mm sphere to pass through.
• Ramps and stairs should have level landings at top and bottom and be wide enough for safe passage (typically 1.2 m for ramps).

After the design and construction of the actual stair or ramp, you will next want to demonstrate its compliance with Approved Document K Regulations. You will need to gather documentary support such as design drawings, as-built plans, and other reports such as a Stair & Ramp Compliance Checklist, Stair Geometry Log, Handrail Inspections, Ramp Gradient Checklist, etc.

Requirements in Approved Document K: Protection From Falling, Collision, and Impact

Aside from stairs and ramps, there are also some other aspects that the Approved Document K covers. However, as stated previously, the core intention of these requirements is the protection from falling, collision, and impact of people and property when accessing these spaces. To enumerate, here is the complete list of works covered in the Approved Document K PDF file:

• K1 – Stairs, ladders and ramps
• K2 – Protection from falling
• K3 – Vehicle barriers and loading bays
• K4 – Protection against impact with glazing
• K5.1 – Protection against collision with projections
• K5.2 – Manifestation of glazing
• K5.3 – Safe opening and closing of windows
• K5.4 – Safe access for cleaning windows
• K6 – Protection against impact from and trapping by doors

In addition to this, there are some other requirements specific to windows and safety glass. Approved Document K windows requirements state that they must be designed and positioned to prevent people from falling or colliding with them when open. Approved Document K window restrictors requirements state that restrictors must prevent the window from opening more than 100 mm, unless it is being used for cleaning or maintenance by a competent person. On the other hand, Approved Document K safety glass requirements state that safety glass must be installed in critical locations and that it must meet BS EN 12600 or an equivalent impact performance standards.

Requirements in Approved Document K: Glazing

In the construction industry, glazing refers to the process of installing glass panels to serve as windows, doors, facades, partitions, and other building elements. Additionally, glazing is also a noun that refers to the glass that is fitted to the frame itself. The primary requirement in the Approved Document K for glazing is that the glazing must either resist breaking without impact, be shielded from impact, or if broken on impact, break in a way that is unlikely to cause impact.

Engineers and installers usually use forms like Glazing Safety Logs to document installation and ensure Part K requirements are adhered to. Here are some of those specific requirements for glazing:

• Glazing must be designed to prevent injury from impact, collision, or breakage.
• Critical locations: glazing in doors (below 1500 mm), side panels (within 300 mm of doors, below 1500 mm), and windows (below 800 mm).
• Glazing in critical areas must use safety glass (toughened, laminated, or impact-resistant).
• Safety glass must meet BS EN 12600 or an equivalent impact standard.
• Large glass panels and fully glazed doors must have visible markings at eye level.
• Glazing must be securely fixed and framed to prevent glass from dislodging under impact.
• In public or child-accessible areas, glazing must lessen the risk of injury from broken or sharp edges.
• Opening glazed panels must not create collision or trapping hazards.