Hong Kong Regulations

BUILDING (PLANNING) REGULATIONS - REGULATION 39

Staircases

(1) Every building which exceeds 1 storey in height shall be provided with a
staircase or staircases to give access to upper floors unless there is
separate access to such upper floors.

(2) The main staircase of every building which exceeds 4 storeys in height
shall be continued to the roof of the building unless a secondary staircase of
fire escape is provided.

(3) The main staircase of every building which exceeds 1 storey in height
shall-

   (a)  have a clear height of not less than 2 m;

   (b)  have a clear width of not less than 900 mm;

   (c)  be constructed with treads not less than 225 mm in width

(measured at the centre of the flight) from the face of one riser to the face
the next riser and with risers not exceeding 175 mm in height;

   (d)  have not more than 16 steps in any flight without the introduction of
        a landing;

   (e)  be provided on one or both sides with properly fixed handrails which,
        in section, shall be-

        (i)    if tubular, not less than 38 mm and not greater than 50 mm in
               external diameter;

        (ii)   if rectangular, not less than 40 mm and not more than 50 mm
               wide with an overall depth, or depth to a deep groove, of not
               more than 50 mm;

        (iii)  in any other case, such as to afford to the user thereto a grip
               analogous to that specified in the case of either tubular or
               rectangular handrails, whichever may be the more appropriate
               having regard to the shape of the section. (L.N. 365 of 1984)

   (f)  be so arranged as to provide access to a street or to an open space
        leading thereto; and

   (g)  if continued to the roof of the building as a means of escape in case
        of fire be provided with a door at this level, such door to be glazed
        in the upper panels. (L.N. 294 of 1976)