For Professionals
(5) Communal Stairs & Lifts
5 a) Communal stairs should provide easy access and
5 b) Where homes are reached by a lift, it should be fully accessible.
Stated specifications and dimensions required to meet criterion
Minimum dimensions for communal stairs
Uniform rise not more than 170mm
Uniform going not less than 250mm
Handrails extend 300mm beyond top and bottom step
Handrail height 900mm from each nosing
Minimum dimensions for lifts
Clear landing entrances 1500mm x 1500mm
Min. internal dimensions 1100mm x 1400mm
Lift controls between 900 and 1200 mm from the floor and 400mm from the lift’s internal front wall.
Frequently asked questions - Criterion 5
Q Do flats have to have lift access to be Lifetime Homes?
A Provision of a communal lift in a block of flats is not a Lifetime Home requirement. All flats within a block without a lift, on whatever storey, are capable of achieving the Lifetime Home standard if the communal stairs achieve the above dimensional and specification requirements, and the features of each flat conform to other relevant criteria.
Q Are the lift requirements the same as the Part M lift requirements?
A They are similar in all respects except the internal dimensions of the lift car, as stated above, which exceed the Part M dimensional requirements.
Q Where a lift is provided do the communal stairs still need to confirm to the Lifetime Home ‘easy going’ specification?
A All communal staircases, whether a lift is provided or not, must conform to the Lifetime Home specification as stated above.
Additional good practice recommendations
(i) Provide handrails to staircases that visually contrast against their background and terminate in a way that reduces the risk of clothing being caught.
(ii) Finishes in surfaces within stairwells should not be highly glossy or reflective and stair risers should provide visual contrast against stair treads.
(iii) Provide a lift or space, adaptable structure, and services to enable cost effective future provision of a lift (with minimum internal dimensions of 1100mm x 1400mm) in all service cores in all blocks.