4. The main risks associated with stairs and guardrails

4. The main risks associated with stairs and guardrails

Before detailing the grid, it is necessary to understand the major risks that it seeks to prevent.

Falling down the stairs is the main risk. It can be caused by a slippery step, an unexpected difference in height, insufficient lighting, a poorly marked change in surface, clutter, absence of handrail or poor visibility of supports.

Falling from a landing or platform occurs when the guardrails are absent, insufficient, damaged or poorly visible. It also concerns access to heights, walkways, mezzanines or technical areas.

A collision occurs when a door opens directly into a staircase, when an intersection is poorly managed or when a congested environment disrupts traffic.

Finally, the difficulty of emergency evacuation constitutes an underestimated risk. In the event of an emergency, the staircase and protections must remain visible, legible, easy to use and safe. A poorly visible handrail or poor lighting can become a critical problem.

For a field editor, the essential idea is that these risks are not only technical. They are linked to the real use of circulations and the context in which they are used.