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Pillar 01 — Real-World Documentation
Architects · Designers · Students · Builders · PMs
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Educational content only
CoreSkills+ shares practical knowledge based on real project experience. This is not professional advice and does not replace the advice of a registered architect, certifier or qualified practitioner. Always verify information against the current NCC and relevant Australian Standards for your specific project and jurisdiction. Requirements may vary by state and building classification.

Fire Stairs

Documentation that gets built correctly — first time

Fire stairs are critical life-safety elements. Most issues on-site arise not from the design intent, but from how the stair is documented for construction. This workshop standardises documentation to meet strict NCC compliance while ensuring drawings are clear enough for fabricators to produce shop drawings without clarification.

Drawing comparison
What is wrong with this drawing
Common mistakes
1000mm clearance not shownHydrant not shownRL not on landingsOne tread offset missingHandrail extension missing
Workshop content
Inconsistent dimensions — riser or going variations exceeding the 5 mm adjacent or 10 mm flight limit lead to BCA non-compliance and site rework
Handrail height outside the 865–1000 mm range or missing extensions — common cause of consultant comments at top and bottom landings
Vertical handrail sections — documenting handrails that 'step' vertically at landings instead of maintaining the stair pitch for one tread depth
Misunderstood barrier rules — applying the 125 mm public stair gap rule to fire-isolated stairs where 300 mm is the relevant reference
Lack of coordination — stairs not matching structural slab levels or failing to account for floor finish thicknesses
Missing nosing details — failing to specify the 30% luminance contrast requirement or correct strip depth of 50–75 mm
Hydrant not located — fire hydrant and its minimum clearances are not shown on the stair plan
Reduced levels not provided — RL not noted on landings, preventing fabricators from setting out correctly
NCC References
NCC D2D13
Stair geometry requirements
NCC D4D9
TGSIs — fire stairs exempt
NCC D2D14
Handrail requirements
NCC D2D16
Barrier requirements
AS 1428.1
Accessibility — nosing contrast
NCC C2D1
Non-combustible materials
Free download

Fire Stairs QA Checklist

The complete pre-issue compliance checklist — geometry, handrails, barriers, nosings, and coordination.

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