External door - step down, possible fall?

miagi · Jun 23, 2007 10:48 am

Hey guys, just need some info b4 asking my builder, so I appear some what clued up!

I have an external glass sliding door which I plan to build a deck around after handover / completion of my building project.
The plans show this door as being FIXED CLOSED. This is no doubt due to having to meet council requirements as a safety issue.

My question is whether there is a way to get around this?
The step down should be less than approx 600mm, and am wondering could a mound of dirt or similar deem the ruling to be unnecessary?

I will be wanting to build a deck fairly quickly, but in the mean time would like to be able to use the door for access of furniture etc. I dont really want to have to get an inspector in at a later date to remove any screws etc that they may use to FIX the door shut.

Can someone please tell me their experiences with this type of situation and at what height does this requirement come in as I am assuming any concrete slab designed house would lead to an external door seeing a minimum drop of one step anyhow?

thanks guys

also assuming many people have external driveways and footpaths done after handover, I am sure in this situation there would often be a considerable drop down from the front door?

thanks

ECOECO · Jun 23, 2007 12:56 pm

Hi

I have a customer did the same thing... can't see an issue as long as you take care and make sure that it is fixed shut when you are not using it to move furniture. And keep an eye on kids when it is not fixed.

Andrew

ahuang · Jun 23, 2007 2:25 pm

My understanding is there's normally a one step drop from the house to the garage, and it's around 250mm. 600mm would require at least 2 to 3 steps. What if you ask the builder to put in some temporary steps, probably in timber or concrete?

In our house design, we have a few steps at the front of the house, but it's covered by the builder. They will put in some concrete steps as part of the construction.

Cheers
Allan
http://building-our-first-house.blogspot.com/

Adrian B · Jun 23, 2007 2:51 pm

Easy fixed.

Then they do the site clean up, get a barrow load of dirt under the step. This will reduce the height from the top of the step to the dirt, thus meeting building codes. Did the same thing in our place, same scenario, built a deck.

miagi · Jun 23, 2007 3:20 pm

Adrian B

Easy fixed.

Then they do the site clean up, get a barrow load of dirt under the step. This will reduce the height from the top of the step to the dirt, thus meeting building codes. Did the same thing in our place, same scenario, built a deck.

Thanks Adrian, I will suggest I do this.

Seems like the best alternative until I construct the deck and means I will have access when I want etc.

Can anyone point me to the relevant building code for this scenario? Or would it be a council specific thing?

cheers

ausdesign · Jun 23, 2007 4:45 pm

Maximum 190 step down to dirt pad is ok but the pad has to be a fair size - like a meter out & a meter each side from the opening and then the slope from the pad needs to be around 1 in 8 to the natural ground level.
Failing that a screw through the top cover into the door is usually whats done but be aware that although this will meet the requirements of the final inspection as soon as you remove it you leave yourself wide open liability wise & your insurance co. wont pay up if the egress isn't to reg's

miagi · Jun 23, 2007 6:21 pm

as you remove it you leave yourself wide open liability wise & your insurance co. wont pay up if the egress isn't to reg's

thanks ausdesign, could you repeat this in english for the less educated? (egress) an example?

Casa2 · Jun 23, 2007 7:02 pm

egress
–noun
1. the act or an instance of going, esp. from an enclosed place.
2. a means or place of going out; an exit.
3. the right or permission to go out.
4. Astronomy. emersion (def. 1).
–verb (used without object)
5. to go out; emerge.

Yak_Chat · Jun 23, 2007 7:35 pm

Well said Casa.
Glad you didn't do the one with the T instead of ss on the end :wink:

SJ

Edited to fix typo

miagi · Jun 23, 2007 9:28 pm

thanks all, i guessed it and my wordweb explained it but its nice to know people want to help
warm and fuzzy feeling now

Ed Perry · Jun 24, 2007 11:04 am

Since it is really a window for the time being - you can legally have it openable to 125mm.

Ed

miagi · Jun 24, 2007 6:21 pm

Sounds like if there isnt enough site clean up dirt laying about I might just get a load of topsoil delivered b4 final inspection and drop it near the door and spread it around.
I am sure my builder wouldn't mind.
As I can use it for the garden to be then anyhow.

Or even I'll construct some steps from treated pine, 2 to 3 would cover the drop and attach them or concrete some posts in and attach them to that. They wont require any balustrading as it will be less than a meter,