I've started to renovate my stairs. It's a switchback staircase with a half landing. The house is about 40 years old and the current staircase is fugly, built as cheaply as possible.
My plan is to take out the existing handrail and second and third 'planks' which serve to stop anyone falling through and replace them with a nice oak handrail, baserail (on top of the existing stringer) and add some spindles, but keep all the existing newel posts.
Here-in lies the problem:
The existing handrail is about 840mm above the tread-line, current building regs state that it must be 900mm minimum. The existing newel-posts aren't tall enough to raise the handrail to meet minimum height for building regs.
Had I not read the requirements I would have just gone ahead and finished the job as I intended to. Now I'm aware that my refurb won't meet regs I don't know what to do. To rip out the newel posts and replace is a major headache, not to mention the additional costs.
But I also don't want to be in a position where I can't sell the house, if I ever need to, or have to do it all over again to meet regs.
There is no 'H' in Aych, you know that don't you? ~ Wife
Turns out there is an H in Haych! ~ Sporky
Bit of trading feedback here.
Comments
How hard would it be to replace the Newell posts?
I suppose one option would be to buy some timber of the right sort of size and extend the existing posts. This would be the easiest option but a hassle to gain an extra 100mm of height even if I could make it look tidy.
There is no 'H' in Aych, you know that don't you? ~ Wife
Turns out there is an H in Haych! ~ Sporky
Bit of trading feedback here.
I say that on the assumption that it’s not notifibale work?
People still sell dilapidated houses with no staircases - no buyer or surveyor will ever care about a handrail being 60mm low.
You'll find many things in your house that don't meet current regs.
There is no 'H' in Aych, you know that don't you? ~ Wife
Turns out there is an H in Haych! ~ Sporky
Bit of trading feedback here.
There is no 'H' in Aych, you know that don't you? ~ Wife
Turns out there is an H in Haych! ~ Sporky
Bit of trading feedback here.
Controlled fittings are usually things like windows, doors, cladding, roof vents. Controlled services are plumbing, gas, electrics etc...
By replacing a handrail on the stairs in your house you’re not doing ‘building work’ by that definition.
Generally building regulations state that any building work should not make any part of
the existing building any less safe than it was before work but as you’re pretty much doing like for like in terms of preventing falls (which is what document K is for) then you aren’t making it worse. Other approved documents might apply but, as this isn’t a new build, extension or a change to a controlled fitting or service then I think you’re okay.
This is my interpretation of the regulations anyway. I don’t work for buildings control or any regulating body but that is how I read the regulations.
What he said.
Having said that, if you are planning to use Richard Burbage or similar readily available components they will quite likely be made with building regs in mind, e.g. spindle lengths, etc. Because of this you may find your purchased components bring you in line with Part K1 requirements anyway. So you are just left with the issue of what to do with the newel posts and, without seeing your stair, the answer would seem to be to extend their height if it can be done in a way that is aesthetically satisfactory - easier with plain newels than with turned ones.
Any chance you could post a photo of an existing newel?
Parts are on order and I’ve booked time off work to finish the job so hopefully in a couple of weeks it’ll all be completed.
There is no 'H' in Aych, you know that don't you? ~ Wife
Turns out there is an H in Haych! ~ Sporky
Bit of trading feedback here.
If you did this through Building Control any reasonable officer (there are some!) would allow you to work outside the regs, especially as it is an existing house.
I always play it safe with building control issues, but in your case it's minor, I'd just crack on.