A worked example of a compliant staircase (Northern Ireland)
Written by Scott Jones, The Stair Guys, independent staircase measuring and sourcing specialists·Last updated
Northern Ireland does not use Approved Document K at all. Its stairs are governed by Technical Booklet H, and while a lot of the private-stair geometry lands close to England, there are NI-specific rules that catch people out. Here is a worked compliant NI private stair.
| Measurement | This example | Northern Ireland (Technical Booklet H) |
|---|---|---|
| Floor to floor height | 2600mm | sets the number of risers |
| Rise | 200mm | 75mm to 220mm |
| Going | 240mm | 220mm minimum |
| Pitch | 39.8 degrees | set by rise and going |
| Risers per flight | 13 | 16 maximum |
| Headroom | 2m | 2m (reduced allowance in roof spaces) |
| Handrail height | 900mm | 900mm to 1000mm |
Why it passes, and the NI points to watch
The example clears: a 200mm rise sits inside the 75mm to 220mm range, the 240mm going is over the 220mm minimum, and 13 risers is within the cap. Two NI-specific things are worth flagging. First, like Scotland, Northern Ireland caps a flight at 16 risers, where England has no per-flight riser limit at all, so a tall storey can need a landing to break the flight. Second, it is Technical Booklet H that governs here, not Approved Document K, so always check against the NI document rather than assuming the English figures. Full detail on the Northern Ireland regulations page.
Frequently asked
Can you give an example of a compliant staircase in Northern Ireland?+
Yes. A private staircase of 13 risers at 200mm rise, with a 240mm going, over a 2600mm floor-to-floor height, complies with Technical Booklet H. The rise sits within the 75mm to 220mm range, the going is over the 220mm minimum, and 13 risers is within the 16-riser-per-flight cap. Handrails are 900mm to 1000mm and headroom is 2m.
Does Northern Ireland use Approved Document K?+
No. Northern Ireland has its own regulations under Technical Booklet H, not the Approved Document K used in England and Wales. A lot of the private-stair geometry is similar, but you should always check against Technical Booklet H rather than assuming the English figures apply.
How many risers can a staircase flight have in Northern Ireland?+
A maximum of 16 risers per flight under Technical Booklet H, the same cap as Scotland. England, by contrast, has no per-flight riser limit for a private stair. Because of the cap, a tall storey height in Northern Ireland can need a landing to break the flight into two.
Related guides
- UK Staircase Building Regulations, ExplainedThe building regulations for stairs in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, in plain English. Rise, going, pitch, headroom, guarding and handrails, every figure sourced.
- Staircase headroom: how much you need and how to check itHow much headroom a staircase needs under UK building regulations: the 2 metre rule, the reduced loft-conversion allowance, where headroom is tightest, and how to check it properly.
- Staircase handrail requirements: height, sides and gripWhat UK building regulations require of a staircase handrail: the 900mm to 1000mm height, when you need one side or both, and why a wall-mounted rail needs proper clearance and grip.
- Staircase guarding and balustrade: height and the 100mm ruleWhat UK building regulations require of staircase guarding and balustrade: where it is needed, the 900mm height, the 100mm sphere gap rule, and why it must not be easy for a child to climb.
- Private staircase dimensions: rise, going and pitchThe rise, going and pitch rules for a private (domestic) staircase in the UK, the 2R+G formula, why every rise must be equal, and the simple going = rise divided by 0.9 rule of thumb that keeps a stair within 42 degrees.
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