I have a question regarding a "step" in a property that I'm thinking of fixing up at the moment. This step is currently a single step from a higher ground to a lower corridor/landing area. The step is 255mm in height, higher than what BCA usually allows for our normal stairs (min 115mm, max 190mm). However, it doesn't fall into the category of stairs, as stairs are defined as anything between 2 to 18 steps by BCA (there is only one step here).
The landing area as you step down into the lower ground is 750mm wide, which is the minimum specified by BCA (landing area for stairs). There is also a door immediately to the left, where it's door leaf opens away from the step.
I'm in a dilemma as to whether to add an additional step to make it 2 steps, so that the height of 255mm is split into 2 steps which makes it more accessible especially for kids/elders. However by adding, it would then be categorised as "stairs" which means I would not be in compliance with BCA on 2 things:
- Landing area will be less than the required width of 750mm, because the second step has to have a min going of 240mm deep. This will leave the landing to be 510mm (750mm minus 240mm).
- The second "step" will be immediately outside a door. The door currently opens away from the step, hence there is no door leaf that will interfere with the new step (which I would assume is legal). That said it still seems pretty risky to have a step up immediately as a person opens the door and steps out.
Would anyone be able to advise whether I should add the new step, or better to leave it as is? Thanks in advance....!
https://goo.gl/photos/92VJPvbUvgq6LYJj7