Rule ID: SOL/210/4.1
This article describes how the Accessible Stair Rule works and how you can configure the rule.
The article covers the following topics:
This rule checks that stairs, landings, handrails, and tactile indicators comply with accessibility and movement-space requirements.
The checks include dimensional validation, landing configuration, handrail continuity, and tactile ground surface indicator placement.
ImportantTo use this rule, stairs must be classified as “Stairs” in the Vertical Access classification.
Vertical Access classification can be done in the Classification View.(To disable checking of any parameter, set the value to zero.)
Stairs to Check
You can select stairs using Classifications or Filters.
Stairs
Classifications mode
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Vertical Access Classification: Defines the classification group for stair components.
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Stair Classification Names: Lists the classification values that identify the stairs to be checked.
Filter mode
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Vertical access Filter: Defines a filter for external stairs.
Spaces with Internal Stairs
Classifications mode
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Space Classification: Defines the space classification group.
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Classification Names of Spaces Related to Internal Stairs: Specifies spaces connected to internal stairs.
Filter mode
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Spaces containing Internal Stairs: Defines a filter for the spaces containing internal stairs.
Stairs
Stair-related parameters specify dimensional and configuration requirements:
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Check External Stairs: A checkbox, when it is checked, checks for Stairs inside the building. Location of the internal Ramps is specified in the Space Classification Names for Internal Stairs table.
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Check Internal Stairs: A checkbox, when it is checked checks for Stairs outside the building.
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Minimum Width: The minimum surface width of the stair.
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Minimum Clear Width: The minimum clear width of the stair (Railings are taken into account).
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Maximum Stair Flight Height: The maximum permitted height of a stair flight.
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Minimum Space at the Beginning: The free space required in front of the lowest step.
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Minimum Space at the End: The free space required after the topmost step.
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Minimum Clear Height Above: The minimum head clearance height above the stair.
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Minimum Clear Height Under: The minimum head clearance height under the stair.
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Minimum Intermediate Landing Length
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Minimum Number of Steps in a Flight
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Maximum Number of Steps in a Flight
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Riser and Tread Dimensions:
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Minimum & Maximum Riser Height
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Minimum & Maximum Tread Length
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Minimum Sum of Tread and Two Risers
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Maximum Step Nosing Length
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Use Tread Distance / Tread Distance
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Check Slab Connections: When selected, checks the connections between stairs and slabs.
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Check Riser Height for Equality
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Allow Open Riser
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Require Landings Between Two Stair Flights: Ensures intermediate landings exist between consecutive flights and checks that the landing surface is level (0° slope).
Minimum Landing Clear Width and Maximum Stair Height can also be configured.
Handrails
Handrail properties validated include:
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Check Handrails
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Handrail on the Side: Required / Preferred / Not Required
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Minimum / Maximum Height Above Stairs
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Minimum Handrail Extension Beyond Stairs
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Handrails Must Be Continuous
Handrail continuity is validated unless exempted by blast-door conditions (see Exemptions).
Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSI)
When enabled, this rule checks the presence, placement, and dimensions of Tactile Ground Surface Indicators relative to stair landings and steps.
TGSI Filter
Defines which model components are treated as TGSI.
TGSI Parameters
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TGSI Depth: TGSI depth measured along the stair path direction.
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TGSI Offset from Step: Distance between TGSI and the first/last step.
By default, TGSI checks are performed on top and bottom landings.If an Accessible Route Filter is configured, TGSI checks are also performed on intermediate landings that belong to an accessible path of travel.
Accessible Route Filter
Allows selecting components that define an accessible route to intermediate landings.
Exemptions
Blast Door Filter
Defines blast-door components.
Handrail Continuity Exemption
When enabled, the rule does not report handrail continuity issues for landings containing a staircase storey shelter blast door.
The rule may produce issues related to:
1. Stair Geometry and Dimensions
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Stair Too Narrow: Stair width is smaller than the required minimum.
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Clear Width Too Small: Clear width between bounding elements does not meet requirements.
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Stair Too Steep: Stair flight height exceeds the maximum allowed.
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Riser Height Not Within Limits: Riser heights exceed minimum/maximum limits.
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Tread Length Not Within Limits: Tread lengths exceed minimum/maximum limits.
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Riser Height Not Equal: Riser heights differ in a single flight where uniformity is required.
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Tread Distance Incorrect: Tread distance requirements are not met (when enabled).
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Sum of Tread and Two Risers Not Within Limits: Combined geometric requirements are not met.
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Step Nosing Too Large: Nosing exceeds maximum allowed length.
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Open Riser Not Allowed: Stair uses open risers when these are prohibited.
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Winder Angle Not Within Limits: Winders do not meet the minimum/maximum angle settings.
2. Landing Requirements
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Landing Missing at Stair Beginning: No landing found where one is required.
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Landing Missing at Stair End: No landing found at the end of the stair.
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Landing Missing Between Flights: Required intermediate landing is not present between consecutive stair flights.
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Landing Too Small: Dimensions of the landing (length, width, clear depth) do not meet requirements.
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Landing Not Level: Landing slope exceeds 0°, violating the “level landing” requirement.
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Clear Height Above/Under Landing Insufficient: Clearance requirements above or below landing are not met.
3. Space Requirements Near Stairs
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Minimum Space at Beginning Not Satisfied: Required movement space before the stair is missing or too small.
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Minimum Space at End Not Satisfied: Required movement space after the stair is missing or too small.
4. Slab Connections
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Stair Not Connected to Slab: Stair does not connect properly to the intended slab surfaces.
5. Handrail Issues
(Only checks if “Check Handrails” is enabled.)
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Handrail Missing: Handrail is required but not present on the necessary side.
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Handrail Height Not Within Limits: Handrail height is too low or too high.
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Handrail Extension Too Short: The horizontal extension beyond stairs does not meet requirements.
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Handrails Not Continuous: Handrail continuity is broken along the stair or landing(except when a blast-door exemption applies).
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Handrail on Incorrect Side: Required side-specific handrail is missing.
6. TGSI (Tactile Ground Surface Indicator) Issues
(Only checks if TGSI checking is enabled.)
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TGSI Missing at Required Landing: No TGSI detected on top, bottom, or (when applicable) intermediate landings.
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TGSI Incorrect Depth: TGSI depth does not match the required TGSI depth parameter.
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TGSI Incorrect Offset From Step: Offset between TGSI and first/last step is outside acceptable range.
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TGSI Incorrect Width Coverage: TGSI width does not cover the circulation width or landing as required.
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TGSI Misaligned or Incorrect Placement: TGSI is not placed in the correct orientation or position relative to the stair path.
7. Accessible Route Issues
(Only relevant if Accessible Route filter is used.)
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Landing Not Connected to Accessible Route: Intermediate landing requires TGSI but is not on an accessible path of travel.
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Accessible Route Component Missing or Invalid: Filtered accessible-route elements not found or incorrectly configured.
8. General Issues
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Component Cannot Be Checked: Missing geometry, missing connections, improper classification, or other data inconsistencies prevent rule evaluation.
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Invalid or Incomplete Model Data: Stair or landing elements do not contain sufficient information for checking.