FUNCTIONAL INTERIORS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS 4(2+2)

Lesson 22 : Principles of Designing Interiors for the Visually Impaired

Stairs

Placement

• Staircases should be easy to find and placed as centrally as possible but not in an unexpected position. To avoid the risk of someone falling down them, they should be perpendicular to, or at the side of circulation routes rather than at the end of them. They should be placed against walls rather than windows and should be well lit to avoid shadowing.

Design

• Stairways should be straight. Spiral stairways are hazardous and can create orientation problems for the user.
• Staircases should have the same design at different floor levels within a building. If there are sections to a staircase, it is preferable for each section to have an equal number of steps. The size of steps should not vary within a building.
• Surfaces should be non-slip and if the staircase is concrete then the tread can be surface-treated to provide more grip.
• Avoid nosings in which people’s feet can become caught, for example, those with lipped edges.
• Stairs should be wide enough to allow two people to pass without them needing to alter their body positions.
• Stairs should be completely enclosed, from banister to wall and along the riser.
• Top and bottom steps should not intrude on circulation routes.
• Stairway overhangs that are not enclosed are dangerous, as they are unable to be contacted at the base with a long cane.