Fire Escape Staircase Regulations South Africa
When it comes to building safe, compliant, and long-lasting fire escape staircases. It is essential to follow all Fire Escape Staircase Regulations South Africa requires. This can be done under the National Building Regulations (NBR) and SANS standards. Because of this, architects, contractors, developers, commercial property owners, and even homeowners increasingly choose Last Builders. The company whose name means “the last to build something that will last.”
What is involved in buying Fire Escape Staircase that meets Regulations?
To purchase a fire escape staircase that meets regulations. First, you must collaborate with a qualified professional Like Last Builders. This is to ensure the staircase is designed, manufactured, and installed according to the national and municipal building and fire safety codes. In South Africa, the primary set of regulations is SANS 10400, specifically Part T (Fire Protection) and Part M (Stairways).
How Does Last Builders Work In Terms Of Delivery And Payment?
Although, Last Builders products are manufactured in China. They are fully tested, internationally certified, structurally safe, and aligned with all South African staircase and handrail regulations. This includes SANS 10400-T (Fire Protection) and SANS 10400-M (Stairways).
Since safety and legal compliance are crucial. Last Builders supply custom fire escape staircases, industrial staircases, commercial staircases, and regulation-approved railings that meet every code required by South African authorities. Even better, we supply throughout South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Kenya and other African Countries.
Clients can easily request a quotation, confirm the design, and make full payment. And then wait for secure delivery — a reliable and transparent process that makes compliance simple.
Understanding Fire Escape Staircase Regulations in South Africa
To comply with South African fire escape staircase regulations. Every emergency stairway must follow strict rules. These rules are outlined in the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act 103 of 1977, together with SANS 10400 standards. Consequently, any building with more than one floor. Must ensure that its escape route, handrails, balustrades and stair construction meet legally approved safety conditions.
Below is an easy-to-understand summary of the most important requirements — all of which Last Builders fully complies with when manufacturing and supplying custom staircases and railings.
General Requirements for Fire Escape Staircases
According to SANS 10400-T (Fire Protection) and SANS 10400-M (Stairways):
- Fire escapes must form part of a clearly marked emergency route that leads safely to an exit door at ground level.
- Emergency routes must include illuminated or photoluminescent exit signs (SANS 1186 compliant).
- Emergency lighting must ensure visibility if the power fails.
- Escape routes must always remain free of obstruction.
Because of these strict requirements, Last Builders ensures all staircases are designed for uninterrupted evacuation, meaning clients receive structures that provide smooth, fast, and safe movement during emergencies.
Dimensions and Structural Compliance for Fire Escape Staircases
To adhere to SANS regulations:
- Width: Fire escape staircases must be at least 1,000mm, and sometimes more (up to 1,800mm) depending on occupancy numbers.
- Headroom: Minimum 2.1m above the pitch line.
- Risers: Maximum 200mm.
- Treads: Minimum 250mm depth.
- Uniformity: Riser and tread variation may not exceed 6mm within one flight.
- Landings: Required every 3m of vertical travel.
- Handrails: Needed when there are more than five risers, placed 850mm–1,000mm high.
- Balustrades: Openings must not allow a 100mm ball to pass through.
- Enclosures: Multi-story buildings require one-hour fire-rated enclosures.
- Ventilation: Pressurization or a natural ventilation opening of 1m² per story.
Because safety depends on accuracy, Last Builders ensures every staircase meets precise compliance measurements before manufacturing begins.
Spiral Staircase Regulations South Africa
Although spiral staircases can be visually attractive, SANS fire regulations state that spiral staircases are not allowed as emergency escape routes in most commercial, public, or institutional buildings. Therefore, Last Builders helps clients avoid costly mistakes by guiding them toward compliant alternatives such as:
- Straight fire escape staircases
- Dog-leg staircases
- External fire escape towers
- Industrial galvanized steel fire staircases
By providing clear advice and compliance-approved options, Last Builders protects clients from future municipal penalties and failed building inspections.
Handrail Regulations South Africa (SANS Compliant)
Because handrails are critical for safety, SANS 10400-M states that:
- Any staircase with more than five risers must include a securely mounted handrail.
- Handrail height must be between 850mm and 1,000mm above the pitch line.
- Fire escape staircases must have handrails on both sides.
- Handrails must be continuous, easy to grip, and constructed from durable materials.
Last Builders offers galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and glass-supported handrails — all fully compliant with the regulations.
SANS Staircase Regulations South Africa (Complete Overview)
To meet SANS standards, staircases must be:
- Structurally stable
- Fire-resistant where required
- Slip-resistant
- Uniform in design
- Safe for disabled occupants where applicable
Because SANS compliance is non-negotiable, Last Builders ensures every staircase is built using engineering-tested materials, including:
- Hot-dip galvanized steel
- Powder-coated steel
- Tempered safety glass
- Industrial aluminum systems
Although manufactured in China, every system is tested to international standards before export, ensuring guaranteed strength and safety.