Steps & Stairs Inspection

We undertake the inspection of Steps and Stairs following PUWER regulations and the manufacturer's instructions.

We offer a compliance-based Inspection & Maintenance service as part of a Periodic Inspection regime / PPM for Steps and stair systems for regular maintenance access . They can be both internal and external, creating safe pedestrian access over & around plant and equipment. Step units such as the Ascent step units are designed in accordance with BS EN ISO 14122-1:2001 + A1:2010 and Building Regulations Part K:2013. Our inspection criteria would follow the requirements of these standards.

The majority of steps and stairs are guarded by a Handrail/Guardrail System – for obvious reasons it is imperative that this guarding is maintained in a good condition. The same can be said of the stair / step unit. Slips, trips & falls are one of the biggest causes of accidents in the workplace, regular inspection of your steps & stairs will help to minimise the likelihood of such an accident occurring

PUWER regulation 6 specifies the circumstances where inspection is required to ensure healthy and safe conditions are maintained: one circumstance identified is… where work equipment is exposed to conditions causing deterioration liable to result in dangerous situations. Given step and stairs are often located external to a building or at height – it can often require a regular planned inspection.

We inspect and certify Modular Step & Stair Systems following PUWER regulations and the manufacturer's instructions.

We offer a compliance-based Inspection & Maintenance service as part of a Periodic Inspection Regime / PPM for Modular Step & Stair Systems which can be found in several different locations around a building. They can be both internal and external creating safe pedestrian access over and around plant and equipment. 

Step units such as the Ascent Up & Over step units are designed in accordance with BS EN ISO 14122-1:2001 + A1:2010 and Building Regulations Part K:2013. Our inspection criteria would follow the requirements of these standards.

Where Modular Step & Stair systems form part of a roof access system they can be manufactured in accordance with BS EN 516 Prefabricated accessories for roofing. Installation for roof access, walkways, treads & steps. Systems such as the Ascent Alumnium Walkway System and the MSA Latchways Walksafe System have modular step systems for ascending/descending roof slopes. These systems are often used in conjunction with an inclined fall protection system or guardrail and inspected in conjunction with them as they act as an integral part of the access and safety system.

PUWER regulation 6 specifies the circumstances where inspection is required to ensure healthy and safe conditions are maintained: one circumstance identified is… where work equipment is exposed to conditions causing deterioration liable to result in dangerous situations. Given Modular Step & Stair Systems are often located external to a building or at height – they can often require a regular planned inspection.

Fire escapes are secondary means of egress from a building in the event of a fire should people need to escape from a burning building if the primary means (such as the main stairs) are blocked or unusable.

As with steps and stairs, fire escape testing should occur every 12 months under PUWER, but it is also recommended that they undertake a more detailed inspection every 5 years by a qualified structural engineer.

17.1.4 of the British Standard Guide to Building Maintenance Management (BS 8210:2020) recommends that a structural survey of an external fire escape stairway is carried out every 5 years.

This is further reinforced by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) which requires responsible persons to take reasonable steps to ensure that fire safety equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, and good repair.