Approved Document K: Protection from falling, collision and impact
England-focused reference checklist
Editorial source review: 2026-10-17
https://saeedazarshab.com/articles/england-building-regulations/approved-document-k/

INDEPENDENT GUIDANCE — not project-specific legal/design advice or a compliance certificate. Check the official current requirements and applicable transition.

Part K deals with protection from falling, collision and impact, including stairs, ramps, guarding and relevant glazing. The appropriate details depend on the building and where the element is used. In England, former Approved Document N glazing guidance was incorporated into K; N is not a separate current entry in this library.

WHAT TO CHECK
[ ] Establish the building use, location and purpose of the stair, ramp, guarding or glazing.
[ ] Coordinate the layout with the applicable access and fire-escape requirements.
[ ] Have critical dimensions and safety details checked against the applicable guidance rather than a generic online diagram.
[ ] Check interfaces and installation tolerances before manufacture and construction.
[ ] Inspect the installed element and retain evidence of the accepted design and any changes.

RECORDS TO KEEP
- Coordinated stair, ramp, guarding or glazing drawings
- Product/assembly and design evidence
- Installation inspection and change records

WHEN TO GET SPECIALIST HELP
Obtain competent design advice when headroom, escape, access, guarding or glazing protection cannot be resolved within the proposal.

SCOPE AND EDITION
Landing published 3 January 2013. This edition combined former Approved Document N glazing guidance; N is archived rather than a separate current England entry. Coordinate accessibility with Part M. Do not apply a single stair or guarding detail regardless of building use and location.

OFFICIAL SOURCES
GOV.UK — Approved Document K
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protection-from-falling-collision-and-impact-approved-document-k

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated. Original practical summary by Saeed Azarshab.
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/