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Stair spindles & building regulations?

Hi,

I bought my house about 12 months ago, it was always going to be a project as it needed loads doing to it. The stairs were covered by a plyboard kind of thing which i have now ripped off with the intention of sorting it out but i think i have opened a can of worms...

To get the stairs done is not going to be cheap, but im wondering if it would pass building regs if the spindles were nailed/glued at the top and bottom rather than being held by glue/nails and spacers. I know the spacing requirements but i cant find anything that says how they have to be held in.

My intention is to probably rent it out in the next 12 months or possibly sell once its done, so it does need to pass.

Cheers

Update:

This is a UK query, we dont have a home depot but if we did im not sure i would trust building regs with a shop salesman.

I will be fully insured, insurance will pay out providing work is done to building regs. Im not after bodging a job, i want to ensure it complies to standards set out by the govt. If what i am proposing is enough, great - if it isnt then i will have to look at other options, which is why i am asking the questions.

8 Answers

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  • 7 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    im a builder uk ..there are no specific regs as to how the spindles are fixed ..my son is a chippy ..so he does this job pretty often ..normaly he glues and screws them ..they are spaced so a 4" ball will not pass through them ..no spacers on stairs but they are in handrail ..only to help fixing ..handrail on stairs 900mm tall ..on landing 1100 mm

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    5 years ago

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    7 years ago

    If you have a store like Home Depot, ask the guy there who knows about stairs. Then check his answer with your city building department. You don't want to have a tenant suing you because their child fell through because he put weight on the spindles.

  • ?
    Lv 5
    7 years ago

    You have to do this job properly . Building regs say that stair fitments must be "fit for purpose" . They have all got to be nailed in properly so that even the heaviest person will not fall through if they give way .The government has nothing to do with the building regulations which are set down by the appropriate body .(just can't remember their name at moment ). Aso , before you rent it out someone will come and check that it all complies with H&S .

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  • Anonymous
    7 years ago

    the round top spindles are typically doweled into the step and into the handrail along with glue

    if you have a ploughed handrail system then the 'spacers', which I will also glue and nail are integral in holding the square end spindles in place since they would otherwise just be toenailed

  • ?
    Lv 4
    7 years ago

    Do a proper job . and don,t bodge it . Spacers etc are stronger than just nails/ glue . If anything happens to your tenants and a claim is made against you when you have not installed safe banister/rails . It will cost you more that a cheapo quick fix

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