Guarding height in a dwelling

900 mm to stair flights; 1100 mm to landings, balconies and external edges

Single-family dwelling

The minimum height of guarding to stairs, landings, balconies and edges people can fall from.

Basis in regulation

Part K
Approved Document K
Read the source

How to check it on site

Measure from the pitch line on flights and from finished floor level elsewhere. Check a 100 mm sphere cannot pass through any opening in the guarding.

Common failure

Balustrade spindle gaps over 100 mm, and landing guarding built to stair height.

Effective from 20 August 2026. Last updated 23 August 2026. This is our editorial summary of publicly available regulation, not building control approval or a warranty determination.

Related dimensions at this stage

Minimum

Hearth Provision and Floor Finishes

225 mm

A hearth may not be necessary if an appliance's flame or incandescent material is positioned at least 225mm above the floor

Minimum

Soundproofing Measures for Soil Pipes

25 mm

Sound insulation for soil pipes involves either encasing them in boxing made from a material with a minimum mass of 15kg/m², or wrapping them with at least 25mm of unfaced mineral wool, typically 10kg/m³ density

Minimum

Electrical Accessory Clearance from Water Diagrams

300 mm

Diagrams illustrating the required 300mm minimum horizontal clearance for electrical accessories from water sources, such as sinks and wash basins, are commonly used in guidance documents

exact

Conditions for Pipe Freezing Calculations

6 °C

Calculations for pipe insulation to prevent freezing are based on specific assumed conditions, typically including an external air temperature of -6°C and an internal water temperature of +7°C

Minimum

Water seal depth at appliance traps

75 mm for baths, basins, sinks and showers on a branch; 50 mm for a WC trap

Appliance trap on a branch discharge pipe

Minimum

Stair Handrail Height and Clearance

600 mm

A handrail is mandatory for flights of stairs where the rise exceeds 600mm