Approved Document K - Protection from falling, collision and impact

Approved Document K
(download from Planning Portal)

MAIN CHANGES IN THE 2004 EDITION

This edition of Approved Document K, Protection form falling, collision and impact, replaces the 1992 edition. The main changes are:

a. the scope has been extended to cover access to areas of the building used only for maintenance.

b. the guidance on spiral and helical stairs had been simplified to refer only to BS 5395-2.

Protection from falling: the scope has been extended to cover guarding of areas used for maintenance and guarding to light wells and other sunken areas when connected to a building.

Vehicle barriers and loading bays: the scope has been extended to cover safety aspects of the design of loading bays.

Protection from collision with open windows etc: new requirement to reduce risk of collisions with open windows, skylights and ventilators.

Protection against impact from and trapping by doors: new requirement to reduce the risk of injury when using, for example, certain types of sliding or powered doors and gates.