| Primary value | 1.25 m |
| Applies to | Apartment buildings · Group housing · Hostels |
| Exceptions | Single-family houses → 0.90 m |
| Buildings > 24 m height → 1.50 m typically | |
| Measured as | Clear width between handrails. |
| Source | NBC 2016 — Part 4, Clause 4.4.1 ✓ Verified |
Common stairs in apartments serve multiple families and must accommodate two-way traffic, occasional crowd flow, and emergency evacuation. 1.25 m allows two adults to pass comfortably.
Most apartments provide exactly 1.25 m to comply without wasting plot area. Premium developments go to 1.5 m for a more generous feel.