Stairs - Railings – Ramps – Cladding

This article is dedicated to all types of staircase safety devices.

Article R. 111.15 of the French Construction and Housing Code states:

"On floors other than the first floor :

a) Windows other than those opening onto balconies, terraces or galleries, the lower parts of which are less than 0.90 m from the floor, must, if they are above ground level, be fitted with a grab bar and a protective element rising up to 1 m from the floor;

b) Balustrades on balconies, terraces, galleries and loggias must be at least 1 m high. However, this height may be reduced to 0.80 m if the railing is more than 0.50 m thick".

The safety rules and regulations governing guardrails and staircase handrails are set out in standard NF P 01-012, published in July 1988.

A glossary of important terms can be found at 3 . It covers all the terminology used in this article.