Mezzanine staircases intended for storage use will have at least one ambulant disabled staircase. If the floor is to be used for production, office and retail where people are likely to be on the floor for long periods of time then the floor should have one ambulant staircase and a lift.

To satisfy Building Control an access statement would need to be submitted stating the case of why these considerations need not apply to your mezzanine floor.

If it is thought that disabled people could not carry out the duties that the storage floor was designed for as they may not have the upper strength to perform the duties then a standard staircase to Approved Document K may be used. If the floor was to be used for offices that were not unique and staff and visitors with access difficulties could be accomodated elsewhere on site then only an ambulant staircase would be required.

The number of staircases required for a floor is classified by its usage and the maximum travel distance to a protected area.

Ambulant staircase design

• Stair tread width no less than 1200mm
• 150 / 170mm risers
• 250mm minimum tread depth
• No more than 12 risers
• Contrasting nosing on each riser
• Handrail 40/45mm dia on retail floors. All others 32mm dia
• Handrails to protrude at least 300mm at either end
• Mid landing every two metres in height