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Staircases

This section sets out the requirements for staircases serving double deck stands and for purpose-built access to trailers, boats, caravans and other similar exhibits.

Double Deck Staircases

Any Exhibitor building a double deck stand must comply with the following requirements when designing the stand staircase:

  • Any upper deck that is more than 25m from a staircase or exceeds 200m² in area must provide an additional staircase.
  • Stairs must be at least 1m wide and must have a handrail. Wider stairs must have handrails on both sides.
  • Staircases exceeding 2.40m in width must have an additional central handrail.
  • Flights and landings must be guarded at the sides where there is a drop of more than 360mm, or where there are two or more risers.
  • Stair treads must have a minimum depth of 280mm. Step heights must be a minimum of 130mm and a maximum of 185mm.
  • The treads of curved staircases must have a minimum depth of 280mm, measured at a distance of 500mm from the inner edge.
  • Open risers are not permitted.
  • Full structural calculations must be submitted for review as part of the stand plan inspection process.
  • A safety controller must be present to control public access to the upper level.
  • Doors must not swing across landings.
  • All nosing (the rounded edge of a step or a metal shield protecting that edge) must be made apparent using a permanently contrasting material 55mm wide on both the tread and the riser.

Purpose-Built Access to Exhibits

Purpose-built access to trailers, boats, caravans and other similar exhibits must be risk assessed where it does not comply with the staircase requirements above.

As a minimum, purpose-built access must comply with the following requirements:

  • headroom must be at least 2m;
  • the width must not be less than 450mm and must be at least equal to the width of the entrance to the exhibit;
  • risers must not exceed 180mm in height; and
  • open risers are not permitted.

For further information, refer to the CTE – Código Técnico de la Edificación.

See also