Posted By Blue Sorry in advance for this - especially on a Saturday, but cannot find the answer. The Workplace, H, S & Welfare Regs state that "Suitable and sufficient handrails and, if appropriate, guards shall be provided on all traffic routes which are staircases except in circumstances in which a handrail can not be provided without obstructing the traffic route." And the ACoP and guidance states that... "A secure and substantial handrail should be provided and maintained on at least one side of every staircase, except at points where a handrail would obstruct access or egress, as in the case of steps in a theatre aisle. Handrails should be provided on both sides if there is a particular risk of falling, for example where stairs are heavily used, or are wide, or have narrow treads, or where they are liable to be subject to spillages. Additional handrails should be provided down the centre of particularly wide staircases where necessary." In trying to make sure compliance with the law, is it really necessary to have a handrail attached to walls where there is just 2 or 3 steps?

Posted By martinw And having thought about it, how about approved document K? That has info to do with stairs in K1, part 27 I think? Not conclusive as it mentions the bottom two steps of a flight not requiring handrails unless in a public area/building, but may help.