Design Guide 1 - Domestic Timber Stairs - A Design Guide to Manufacturing Safe and Compliant Staircases

Oct 29, 2026

Upload by ahduag

Design Guide 1 Domestic Timber Stairs provides industry guidance and minimum requirements for manufacturing safe, compliant domestic timber staircases in the UK construction market. It addresses regulations affecting stair design and installation, emphasizing safety, fire performance, loadings, and user accessibility. The document outlines its scope for designers, manufacturers, and building professionals, and it guides specification through suitable sections, references to standards, design tables, calculations, and test methods. It also stresses correct installation responsibilities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages71

Reading Time2 h 59 min

AccessFree to download

Foreword

Introduction

Section 1 The regulations landscape

Section 2 Dimensional layout

Section 3 The fire protected staircase

Section 4 Material selection

Section 5 Staircase loading and jointing of components

Section 6 Component dimensions and data tables

Section 7 Bibliography, further information and index

DESIGN GUIDE 1 Domestic Timber Stairs A Design Guide to Manufacturing Safe and Compliant Staircases © British Woodworking Federation 2017 Contents Foreword Introduction 4 Section 1 The regulations landscape 10 Section 2 Dimensional layout 19 | Section 3 | The fire protected staircase | 33 | | --- | --- | --- | |
Section 4 | Material selection |
37 | |
Section 5 | Staircase loading and jointing of components |
43 | |
Section 6 | Component dimensions and data tables |
47 | |
Section 7 | Bibliography, further information and index |
62 | Note: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of advice given, the BWF cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from the use of the information supplied in this publication. All internet links are current at time of publication. Design Guide 1 – [Domestic Timber Stairs | www.bwfstairscheme.org.uk](Domestic Timber Stairs | www.bwfstairscheme.org.uk) 3 Introduction Introduction This design guide has been prepared by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Stair Scheme to provide industry guidance and the minimum requirements for the manufacture of domestic timber stairs for the UK construction market. The rules and regulations for the manufacture and installation of domestic stairs take into account factors such as safety, fire performance, loadings and accessibility for users. Users of domestic stairs may have a wide variety of requirements in order for them to safely use the stair. Tiny details and dimensional limitations within the design are critical to ensuring that the stair is safe and compliant to relevant standards and regulations. CERTIFICATED FIRE PROTECTED STAIR 4 © British Woodworking Federation 2017 Scope of this document This guide is provided to assist stair designers, manufacturers and building professionals involved in the design and specification of domestic timber stairs for the UK market. It draws information from a range of standards and regulations impacting upon staircases. This guide covers stair specifications for basic flights and balustrade by providing advice on suitable sections, by reference to historical data, design tables, calculation or suitable test methods. Design and manufacture is only part of the delivery of effective staircases. Installation practices must also be adhered to as recommended by the staircase manufacturer and building designer (1) . The responsibility for ensuring that competent (2) tradespeople install the product is that of the project manager and builder. Further information is provided in the BWF Stair Scheme Installation Guide: [http://www.bwfstairscheme.org.uk/](http://www.bwfstairscheme.org.uk/)[ ](http://www.bwfstairscheme.org.uk/)[wp-content/uploads/2015/06/stair-](wp-content/uploads/2015/06/stair-)[installation-guide-web-ready-final11.pdf](installation-guide-web-ready-final11.pdf) 1 A designer is an organisation or individual that prepares or modifies a design for any part of a construction project. Designers include architects, consulting engineers, interiors designers, temporary work engineers, chartered surveyors, technicians, specifiers, principle contractors, specialist contractors and some tradespeople. CITB guide to CDM Industry Guidance for Designers 2015. 2 Competence can be described asthe combination of training, skills, experience and knowledge that a person has and their ability to apply them to perform a task safely. [http://](http://)[ ](http://)[www.hse.gov.uk/competence/what-is](www.hse.gov.uk/competence/what-is)competence.htm Design Guide 1 – [Domestic Timber Stairs | www.bwfstairscheme.org.uk](Domestic Timber Stairs | www.bwfstairscheme.org.uk) 5 Stair classification Stair classification A timber stair within a private domestic dwelling can be described in different ways. The focus of this guide is staircases that serve only one dwelling, that are either found within a house or within an i

FAQs

What is the purpose of this design guide?

It provides industry guidance and minimum requirements for manufacturing domestic timber stairs that meet relevant UK regulations. It supports designers, manufacturers, and building professionals with practical specification advice.

Which factors influence domestic stair design and compliance?

The guide highlights safety, fire performance, loadings, and accessibility for users. It also stresses that small dimensional details are critical for compliance and safe use.

Who is responsible for ensuring competent tradespeople install the stairs?

Responsibility lies with the project manager and builder, ensuring that competent tradespeople carry out installation as recommended by the staircase manufacturer and building designer.

Oct 29, 2026

Upload by ahduag