Building Regulations Part K: What You Need To Know

Building Regulations are one of the most critical aspects of every construction project here in the UK. They ensure the health, safety and welfare of future building occupants, and compliance with these regulations is paramount for companies like the team here at IKT Consulting. 

We’re experts in the Building Regulations and regularly support homeowners, landlords, architects, contractors and developers with a range of services to ensure they remain fully compliant. 

In this article, we’ll explore a key section of the Building Regulations in greater detail – Part K. This part deals with protection from falling, collision and impact, so read on to find out more… 

What are the Building Regulations?

In 2010, the Building Regulations were created, setting out the minimum standards for the design and construction of British buildings to ensure the health, safety, energy efficiency and accessibility of every type of property. These regulations now apply to the construction of all new buildings and most alterations to existing ones.

Each part of the regulations focuses on a specific aspect of building and safety performance, with Part K addressing various physical safety risks. With this in mind, it is essential for architects, engineers and construction companies to fully comply with all Regulations. 

What are Building Regulations Part K?

Building Regulations Part K focuses specifically on protection from falling, collision and impact. It provides guidance on how to minimise the risk of injury that could occur as a result of falls, impacts or accidents within the building or its surrounding areas. 

Compliance with Part K is essential for ensuring structures meet the necessary safety standards and provide adequate protection for all users. This part is particularly relevant in public buildings, workplaces and multi-storey residential buildings where risks are more likely. 

What is included in Building Regulations Part K?

Like every section of the Building Regulations, Part K is split into several key sections, each covering a specific area of concern. Let’s break it down:

K1- stairs, ladders and ramps

This section covers safety measures associated with stairs, ladders and ramps. It provides guidance on:

• The dimensions and design elements of these things including steepness, step size and headroom.
• Guidance on proper handrails to prevent falls
• Ensuring ramps are properly designed to accommodate users with limited mobility. 

To comply with Part K, it’s essential to ensure all staircases have suitable handrails, treads and risers that meet specific dimensions. These are laid out in Part K’s documents. Careful attention should also be paid to the design of the building to avoid slips, trips and falls. Furthermore, regular maintenance should be conducted to ensure these elements are in good condition.

K2- protection from falling

This section focuses on preventing falls. This could be on roofs, balconies, stairs or ramps as well as sunken areas like basements. Compliance involves installing barriers wherever there’s a significant drop and ensuring they meet specific height and strength requirements. Plus, suitable guardrails and railings are needed with specific information set out in Part K’s documents. There are also minimum loads for these elements that are outlined in BS EN 1991-1-1. 

K3- vehicle barriers and loading bays

Section K3 addresses safety concerning vehicle barriers and loading bays. All barriers and loading bays must be constructed in a way as to prevent vehicles colliding with people and this includes making them specific heights and able to resist heavy forces of impact. 

K4 – protection from impact of glazing

This section provides guidelines for protecting individuals from injury resulting from accidental collisions with glazing. If people do come into impact with glazing, it must either break on impact in a way that is unlikely to cause injury, resist the impact without breaking or be shielded from the impact. Part K comes with diagrams that show how this can be achieved. All glass must meet Class C of BS EN 12600 and BS 6206. This covers glass doors, windows, skylights and glass panels. 

K6 – protection against impact from, and trapping by, doors

K6 is concerned with preventing injury from doors and focuses on reducing the risk of impact or trapping by doors and ensuring all doors are designed and installed in a way that minimises injury risks. 

To comply, safety measures like vision panels, slow-closing devices and protection against trapped fingers should all be incorporated. This is especially necessary when the doors are powered, slides or opens upwards. 

What are the changes to Building Regulations Part K?

In April 2013, significant updates were made to the Building Regulations Part K. This includes:

• Guidance combined with Approved Document N: Glazing and Approved Document M: Building Access. 
• Testing methods for the resistance of barrier loads have been updated.
• Technical requirements have been simplified and no significant changes have been made to the original conditions set out in 2010. 

Furthermore, there is greater advice on how to prevent impacts and collisions when installing windows and doors.

How do I ensure I meet Building Regulations Part K

To ensure compliance with Building Regulations Part K, referring to the relevant Approved Document is essential. These documents offer detailed guidance on how to meet each requirement, including design, construction and testing. 

Building designers and contractors must stay informed about any updates to ensure compliance is always maintained. 

Hiring a professional company like IKT Consulting can be invaluable and make this process far easier. Our team of experts are here to guide you through the complexities of the regulations, ensuring your designs and structures always meet the desired standards. From initial planning to final approval, we can assist with every step of the process.

Building Regulations Part K plays a vital role in ensuring safety within buildings by minimising risks associated with falling, collision and impact. Compliance is essential not only for legal reasons but also for the safety and well-being of all future building users and occupants. 

At IKT Consulting, we have years of experience in assisting homeowners, landlords, architects, contractors and developers to ensure projects meet these critical safety standards. For more information, contact our team today.