Hi Mark

You appear to have already looked at the correct first reference document for Scotland - Building Standards Technical Handbook for non-domestic. [As happens the equivalent document for domestic has exactly the same magic number]. 

book-april-2024-domestic/building-standards-technical-handbook-april-2024-domestic/govscot%3Adocument/2024%2B04%2BNon-domestic%2BTechnical%2BHandbook%2B-%2BComplete.pdf

So for a new building or conversion MINIMUM of 1100mm above the surface from which someone liable to fall. Hence the same as in the Approved Document for England and Wales.

In general so called "grandfather rights" apply to existing premises not being altered, so such standards are not retrospectively applied. The handrails up the external staircase of the building I live in are MUCH less than 1100mm high.

But this is a minimum and people need to consider whether that is enough e.g. if someone were to take a chair out to a balcony.

As a parallel consider the parapet railings for a bridge across a highway. The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) sets a minimum standard of 1100mm height but applies more stringent standards if the nature of the traffic using the crossing is such as to make that height insufficient, e.g. if used by horses or cattle.

There might be something specific for places such as care homes but I haven't come across any such standard - but then it's not a work sector with which I am particularly familiar.

May be someone could ask the Care Inspectorate what standards they are using to come up with a figure of 1800mm and the basis for such standard being appropriate to your particular care home.

Edited by user 12 December 2024 12:09:55(UTC)  | Reason: Added web address for standard

The Care Inspectorate have a Design Guide on the internet as a 2022 version pdf link.

https://hub.careinspectorate.com/media/4808/care-homes-for-adults-the-design-guide.pdf

Handrails are mentioned but no specific height.

It is possible like every specialist sector - schools, prisons, hospitals etc. - there may be additional materials over and above the Building Regulations.

Remember Approved Document K and its Scottish equivalent are the legal minimums.

Several design studios mention heights as flexible above the minimums in response to and suitable for particular occupant risk.

Personally, as with any assertion, "Please show me where it states....."

Here's some information I've fond relating tothis.

"

The recommendation for 1.8m balcony or barrier heights is not a standard requirement in UK Building Regulations but appears in specialised guidance designed for specific high-risk environments. Here are some examples of contexts and sources where 1.8m heights might be recommended:

1. Mental Health Facilities

• The Department of Health's Health Building Note (HBN) 03-01: Adult acute mental health units suggests designing barriers to prevent climbing or self-harm in high-risk areas. Although not prescriptive about exact heights, it implies barriers over 1.8m may be required for balconies or terraces in mental health settings.
• The HSE may also recommend higher barriers under risk assessments for environments where vulnerable individuals are at risk of harm.

2. Dementia and Vulnerable Resident Settings

• Care homes accommodating residents with dementia or similar conditions often implement enhanced safety features. While not universally codified, best-practice documents such as those from The King's Fund or SCIE (Social Care Institute for Excellence) suggest increasing barrier heights in these environments to prevent falls or climbing.
• Higher barriers may also be referenced in bespoke risk assessments for specific care home designs, reflecting the vulnerable nature of residents.

3. BS EN Standards on Protective Barriers

• British Standards (e.g., BS EN 1991-1-1 on loading and BS 6180 on barriers) provide technical specifications for barrier design but don’t mandate 1.8m. Instead, they advise assessing the barrier height in line with the risk profile of the occupants. Where high risks are identified, a 1.8m height might be adopted as part of the design.

4. HSE and Local Authority Guidance

• In specific high-risk circumstances, such as balconies or roof terraces in care homes, the HSE might recommend adopting 1.8m high barriers or screens as part of a site-specific risk management plan.

Practical Application

The 1.8m height is typically derived from risk-based decisions rather than statutory requirements. It may be applied following a risk assessment under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, particularly in care homes where there is a significant fall or climbing risk.

If this applies to your care home, consulting a specialist designer or local building control officer can help determine if a 1.8m height is appropriate for your specific setting."

Hope it helps.

Tony.