About the Scheme

Staircases can be the centrepiece of a building adding character and enhancing the design aesthetic. However, they are also the most common accident zone in the home other than the kitchen and a critical area of non compliance with building regulations.

It is now estimated that there are more than 350,000 injuries and 550 deaths in the UK every year are caused by falls on domestic stairs and more than 100,000 injuries due to slips and falls on non-domestic stairs, leading to a further 100 fatalities. This may, in fact, be an underestimate of the real problem as many minor falls are not recorded, and it has been estimated that the actual number of injuries could be up to five times higher.

The Department for Communities flag up the problems in the landmark report BD 2518: Review of health and safety risk drivers which spotlights the dimensions of rises and goings, nosings, stair design, handrails and guarding. Various tread and rise dimensions have been promulgated, but small goings represent a clear risk. The importance of handrails in stair safety has been recognised and notably the hazards to children from entrapment and climbability.

The BWF Stair Scheme saw the industry react to this research with an aim to supporting specifiers, contractors and clients to both specify and install safe stairs correctly throughour guidance, which includes fact cards, CPD resources, and videos. We also run an advice line for these stakeholders should their be specific questions about timber staircase design, specification or installation.

Download the BWF Stair Scheme Manual