scope:

This Publication gives recommendations and typical details for the design and general construction of factory stairways, ladders, access platforms, ramps and handrails. It is primarily intended for use by engineers and architects responsible for the preparation of detail drawings for the construction and installation of this ancillary equipment. Its scope is confined to design and construction of such equipment and does not address the issues of maintenance, inspection and the like.

The recommendations are specific to industrial applications. However there is nothing in these recommendations which precludes their adoption and use in the sometimes less onerous conditions applicable to low-rise office, shop and domestic situations.

All construction should be in accordance with the relevant statutory requirements and safety regulations. Reference to these should be made before a design is finally adopted. The materials used, as well as the design and workmanship, should also comply with the appropriate British and European standards.

Special attention is drawn to Clause 4.3, Clause 5.4, Figure 1 and Figure 2, which specify the stairway and ladder slopes that are preferred for different types of access and different uses of stairways. Reference is also made to those angles which should not be used in view of the hazard they present.

In order to satisfy the higher safety standards now required by BS 6399 Part 1 (1996) and the Building Regulations (2000) (England & Wales) the former three classes of steel handrail have been reduced to two, which should be carefully considered in relation to each specific application.

Because of the very specialised nature of the materials or section dimensions needed to provide ladders and ancillary equipment suitable for steeplejack use, where loadings may be abnormal and possibly also under difficult atmospheric conditions, these ladders are excluded from this document.

Where the constructor/user is also involved with scaffolding or prefabricated mobile access and working towers, reference should be made to one or other of the six parts of BS 1139 Metal scaffolding which considers the majority of related topics.