What This Requirement Covers
Non-domestic buildings have more onerous fall protection requirements than dwellings due to higher occupancy, unfamiliar visitors, and the presence of children. Approved Document K, together with the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, sets out the requirements.
Key Requirements
Key Differences from Dwellings
- Guarding height is 1100 mm everywhere (compared to 900 mm on domestic stairs)
- Guarding is required where the drop exceeds 380 mm (not 600 mm as in dwellings)
- Horizontal loading on guarding: 0.74 kN/m for offices and shops; 1.5 kN/m for assembly areas and areas with crowds
- Guarding must prevent climbing by children in all buildings accessible to the public
Specific Locations
- Balconies and terraces: 1100 mm guarding on all open edges
- Mezzanine floors: Guarding on all open edges; loading to suit the building use
- Loading bays: Barrier or guarding where persons could fall from the bay edge; vehicle barriers where vehicles are present
- Ramps: Guarding on open edges, plus handrails on both sides
- Atriums: Guarding at all open edges of atrium voids; consider the risk of objects falling into the atrium
- Escalators: Guarding adjacent to the escalator sides and at the top and bottom landings
Maintenance Platforms and Roof Access
- Where access to roofs is required for maintenance, permanent edge protection or a safety line system must be provided
- The CDM Regulations require that designers consider safe access for maintenance during the building design
Practical Compliance Tips
- Design guarding for the most demanding load case applicable to the building
- In assembly buildings (theatres, stadiums, churches), the crowd loading can be significant; consult a structural engineer
- Use laminated glass for glass guarding in all public buildings
- Ensure guarding is not climbable; horizontal bar designs are not suitable where children have access
- Provide permanent edge protection on flat roofs with maintenance access; do not rely on mobile systems for regular access
- Mark the safe load capacity of loading bays and ensure vehicle barriers are in place
- Include fall protection in the CDM health and safety file for the building