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2.2.9. External Stairs

 External stairs must always be maintained in a safe and functional manner.

 Every exterior staircase needs to have a direct connection to the ground and no
exterior staircase used as a fire escape shall be inclined at an inclination greater

than 45° from the horizontal.
Thesis Report V-SPARC VIT
 The external steps shall be built of non-combustible materials.

 External stairs must have a straight flight that is at least 1250 mm wide, with

risers that are no wider than 190 mm and treads that are 250 mm.
 There can only be fifteen risers each flight.

 Handrails must be at least 1000 mm and no higher than 1200 mm in height.

Balusters with a maximum spacing of 150 mm must be provided.
 The use of spiral staircase shall be limited to low occupant load and to a building

not exceeding 9 m in height.

 A spiral stair case shall be not less than 1500 mm in diameter and shall be
designed to give adequate headroom.

2.2.10. Horizontal Exits (Refuge Areas)

• A refuge area of 15 m2 or an area equal to 0.3 m2 per person is required for
structures taller than 24 m in order to house the residents of two levels in

succession.
• The refuge space must be situated on the floor's perimeter, ideally on a cantilever

projection, and open to the air on at least one side that is guarded by appropriate

railings.
• One refuge place is located on the floor directly above 24 meters for floors above

24 meters and up to 39 meters.

• There is a single safe location on the level just above 39 meters for levels higher
than 39 meters, and so on, after every 15 meters.

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