# UK Building Regulations: Rules by Nation UK building regulations are devolved — England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each publish their own guidance. This hub covers the rules by nation, starting with England. - Canonical HTML: https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/ - Publisher: Chippy Tools - Language: en - Updated: 2026-09-13 [Browse all topics](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/topics/)[Free web tools](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/tools/)[Printable references](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/printables/) [All countries](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/) [United Kingdom](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/) Topics Stairs - [Scotland Stair Going & Pitch: 225 mm Going, 42° Max](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/scotland/stair-going-and-pitch/) - [UK Stair Rules (Approved Document K): Rise, Going, Guarding](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/stairs/stair-and-barrier-requirements/) Roofing - [Minimum Roof Pitch in England: Choose the Roof System](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/roofing/minimum-roof-pitch/) Footings - [UK Foundation Depths & Footing Widths (Doc A)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/footings/footing-sizes-and-depth/) Room heights - [Does the UK Have a Minimum Ceiling Height?](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/rooms/minimum-ceiling-heights/) Ramps - [UK Ramp Gradients (Approved Document M)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/ramps/ramp-gradients/) Wet areas - [Wet-Room Waterproofing in England: Part C and the Project Detail](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/wet-areas/waterproofing-requirements/) By nation - [England](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/england/) - [N. Ireland](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/n-ireland/) - [Scotland](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/scotland/) - [Wales](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/wales/) Calculation guides - [Concrete Calculations: The Complete On-Site Guide](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-calculations-guide/) - [How to Calculate Concrete Volume for a Slab](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-volume-slab/) - [How Many Bags of Concrete Per m³? (20kg, 25kg, 40kg)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/bags-of-concrete-per-m3/) - [Concrete for Post Holes: Volume Per Hole & Bags Needed](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-post-holes/) - [Concrete Mix Ratios Explained: 1:2:3, 1:2:4 & Water-Cement Ratio](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-mix-ratios/) - [Roof Pitch to Angle: Convert Rise/Run to Degrees & Grade](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/roof-pitch-to-angle/) - [Rafter Length Calculation: Run, Rise & Overhang](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/rafter-length/) - [Stair Rise & Run Setout: Riser, Going & the 2R+G Formula](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/stair-rise-and-run-setout/) - [How to Convert a Fall or Gradient: Ratio, Percentage & Degrees](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/fall-and-gradient-conversion/) - [Stud & Joist Spacing Takeoff: How Many at 400, 450 & 600 mm Centres](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/stud-and-joist-spacing-takeoff/) - [Gravel & Base Volume: Compacted Depth vs Loose-Fill Order Quantity](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/gravel-and-base-volume/) In this section [Browse all topics](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/topics/)[Free web tools](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/tools/)[Printable references](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/printables/) [All countries](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/) [United Kingdom](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/) Topics Stairs - [Scotland Stair Going & Pitch: 225 mm Going, 42° Max](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/scotland/stair-going-and-pitch/) - [UK Stair Rules (Approved Document K): Rise, Going, Guarding](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/stairs/stair-and-barrier-requirements/) Roofing - [Minimum Roof Pitch in England: Choose the Roof System](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/roofing/minimum-roof-pitch/) Footings - [UK Foundation Depths & Footing Widths (Doc A)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/footings/footing-sizes-and-depth/) Room heights - [Does the UK Have a Minimum Ceiling Height?](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/rooms/minimum-ceiling-heights/) Ramps - [UK Ramp Gradients (Approved Document M)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/ramps/ramp-gradients/) Wet areas - [Wet-Room Waterproofing in England: Part C and the Project Detail](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/wet-areas/waterproofing-requirements/) By nation - [England](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/england/) - [N. Ireland](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/n-ireland/) - [Scotland](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/scotland/) - [Wales](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/wales/) Calculation guides - [Concrete Calculations: The Complete On-Site Guide](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-calculations-guide/) - [How to Calculate Concrete Volume for a Slab](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-volume-slab/) - [How Many Bags of Concrete Per m³? (20kg, 25kg, 40kg)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/bags-of-concrete-per-m3/) - [Concrete for Post Holes: Volume Per Hole & Bags Needed](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-post-holes/) - [Concrete Mix Ratios Explained: 1:2:3, 1:2:4 & Water-Cement Ratio](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-mix-ratios/) - [Roof Pitch to Angle: Convert Rise/Run to Degrees & Grade](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/roof-pitch-to-angle/) - [Rafter Length Calculation: Run, Rise & Overhang](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/rafter-length/) - [Stair Rise & Run Setout: Riser, Going & the 2R+G Formula](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/stair-rise-and-run-setout/) - [How to Convert a Fall or Gradient: Ratio, Percentage & Degrees](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/fall-and-gradient-conversion/) - [Stud & Joist Spacing Takeoff: How Many at 400, 450 & 600 mm Centres](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/stud-and-joist-spacing-takeoff/) - [Gravel & Base Volume: Compacted Depth vs Loose-Fill Order Quantity](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/gravel-and-base-volume/) [Building Codes](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/) United Kingdom # UK Building Regulations: Rules by Nation Building regulations in the UK are devolved: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each publish their own guidance. This hub covers the rules by nation. ## Which edition applies, by nation | Jurisdiction | Current code | Adoption / transition | Status | |---------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------| | [England](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/england/) | Approved Document K (2013) | England follows the Building Regulations 2010; stairs and guarding guidance is Approved Document K (2013).… | Adopted | | [N. Ireland](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/n-ireland/) | Technical Booklet H (2012) | Northern Ireland uses Technical Booklet H (2012). Every private-stair and barrier figure matches England,… | Adopted | | [Scotland](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/scotland/) | Technical Handbook - Domestic (April 2026) | Scotland has its own code, the Building Standards Technical Handbook (Domestic). It matches England on rise,… | Adopted | | [Wales](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/wales/) | Approved Document K (Wales) | Wales uses its own edition of Approved Document K (the pre-2013 version), but every private-stair and guarding… | Adopted | - [England](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/england/) Adopted Current Approved Document K (2013) England follows the Building Regulations 2010; stairs and guarding guidance is Approved Document K (2013). Wales runs a parallel Doc K with the same figures; Scotland and Northern Ireland use separate… - [N. Ireland](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/n-ireland/) Adopted Current Technical Booklet H (2012) Northern Ireland uses Technical Booklet H (2012). Every private-stair and barrier figure matches England, though TB H sets stair pitch via the 2R+G rule rather than a 42-degree limit. - [Scotland](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/scotland/) Adopted Current Technical Handbook - Domestic (April 2026) Scotland has its own code, the Building Standards Technical Handbook (Domestic). It matches England on rise, pitch and headroom but requires a deeper going (225 mm) and allows lower handrails and… - [Wales](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/wales/) Adopted Current Approved Document K (Wales) Wales uses its own edition of Approved Document K (the pre-2013 version), but every private-stair and guarding figure is numerically identical to England. Adoption timing changes on government timelines — entries marked *Verify* are being confirmed with the relevant authority. ## Rules by topic Find guidance for the work you are doing, then confirm the requirements for your building and location. ### Stairs - [Scotland Stair Going & Pitch: 225 mm Going, 42° Max](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/scotland/stair-going-and-pitch/) - [UK Stair Rules (Approved Document K): Rise, Going, Guarding](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/stairs/stair-and-barrier-requirements/) ### Roofing - [Minimum Roof Pitch in England: Choose the Roof System](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/roofing/minimum-roof-pitch/) ### Footings & slabs - [UK Foundation Depths & Footing Widths (Doc A)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/footings/footing-sizes-and-depth/) ### Room heights - [Does the UK Have a Minimum Ceiling Height?](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/rooms/minimum-ceiling-heights/) ### Ramps - [UK Ramp Gradients (Approved Document M)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/ramps/ramp-gradients/) ### Wet areas - [Wet-Room Waterproofing in England: Part C and the Project Detail](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/wet-areas/waterproofing-requirements/) ## Which nation is the job in? The UK does not have one building rule book. Building rules are **devolved** — each nation writes its own. So the first thing to check is where the job is. - **England** uses the **Approved Documents**. Stairs and guarding sit in **Approved Document K**. - **Wales** runs its own **Approved Document K** alongside England’s. Read the Welsh text for a Welsh job; do not assume all details match. - **Scotland** uses the **Building Standards Technical Handbook**. Different document, its own numbers. - **Northern Ireland** uses **Technical Booklet H**. Again — separate document, its own numbers. The stair and guarding numbers on this site are **England’s Approved Document K**. Use the Welsh document for work in Wales. They are **not** the Scotland or Northern Ireland numbers. Check which nation the job is in before you rely on any figure. ## Which edition? For England, the current stair and barrier rules are in **Approved Document K, 2013 edition** (with later corrections). It is guidance, not the law itself — it shows one way to meet the Building Regulations. You can build a different way if you can show it is just as safe, but the Doc K route is the one most jobs follow and the one Building Control expects to see. ## By nation - [England](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/england/) - [N. Ireland](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/n-ireland/) - [Scotland](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/scotland/) - [Wales](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/wales/) Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. This page is general information for tradespeople and is not compliance, engineering or legal advice. Requirements are subject to state and territory variations and adoption timing. Always confirm requirements with your building certifier and relevant state authority. ## Page directory - [Building Regulations in England: Approved Document K](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/england/index.md): England's stair and guarding rules for homes come from Approved Document K — the rise, going, pitch and guarding numbers — and how it sits within the UK's devolved building regulations. - [Building Regulations in Northern Ireland: Technical Booklet H](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/n-ireland/index.md): Northern Ireland Technical Booklet H sets a 42° maximum private-stair pitch. Check its own rise, going, width and guarding provisions. - [Building Regulations in Wales: Approved Document K](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/wales/index.md): Wales has its own Approved Document K. Use the Welsh edition and project scope when checking stairs, landings, rails and guarding. - [Building Standards in Scotland: The Technical Handbook](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/scotland/index.md): Scotland runs its own building code — the Technical Handbook — with a deeper stair going (225 mm) and lower handrail and guarding heights than England. Here's how it differs. - [Does the UK Have a Minimum Ceiling Height?](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/rooms/minimum-ceiling-heights/index.md): England has no general minimum ceiling height for rooms — only 2 m of headroom over stairs. Here's the full picture, including where the 2.3 m figure really comes from. - [Minimum Roof Pitch in England: Choose the Roof System](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/roofing/minimum-roof-pitch/index.md): Approved Document C sets the weather-resistance duty. Minimum pitch depends on the actual roof system, standard, exposure and fixing specification. - [UK Foundation Depths & Footing Widths (Doc A)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/footings/footing-sizes-and-depth/index.md): England's strip-foundation rules — the 450 mm minimum depth, footing widths by ground type, and the deeper dig on shrinkable clay. - [UK Ramp Gradients (Approved Document M)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/ramps/ramp-gradients/index.md): England's residential ramp rules — the 1:12 steepest slope, the gentler 1:15, and how far a ramp runs before a landing. - [UK Stair Rules (Approved Document K): Rise, Going, Guarding](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/stairs/stair-and-barrier-requirements/index.md): The Approved Document K numbers for a private stair in England — 220 mm max rise, 220 mm min going, 42° max pitch, 900 mm guarding — and why Scotland and NI differ. - [Wet-Room Waterproofing in England: Part C and the Project Detail](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/uk/wet-areas/waterproofing-requirements/index.md): Part C covers water spilled from sanitary fittings. Use the rule, a suitable wet-room design and the exact product instructions together.