Everything you need to know about putting a ladder in a fire stair
When private access isn’t an option, the fire stairwell becomes the only path to the roof. Read more on how to create access in these environments.
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James Thomas • Project Sales
Accessing the inaccessible. How to use fire stairs to your advantage.
Designing safe and compliant roof access can be one of the most challenging aspects of a building access plan, particularly in residential and mixed‑use developments. When communal spaces are limited, the internal fire stair often becomes the only viable option for roof access.
Why is this issue so common?
In modern developments, especially apartment buildings, shared or communal access zones are becoming increasingly scarce. No one wants roof access routed through a private apartment or tenancy.
As a result, the fire stair is often the only shared space available for accessing the roof.
While practical, this creates two major challenges:
1. Limited space
Fire stairs are typically tight and highly controlled environments. Every millimetre matters, and access solutions must not impede egress or compromise safety.
2. Compliance uncertainty
Many project teams come to us asking the same question:
“Are fold‑down ladders even allowed in a fire stair?”
The uncertainty around standards and compliance leads to hesitation, project delays, or worst-case scenarios, unsafe access solutions being installed.
What industry standards and guidance say
Interestingly, there is no Australian Standard that directly governs fold‑down ladders in stairwells.
That doesn’t mean it’s a free‑for‑all.
Risk‑Based Assessment Is Key
In the absence of prescriptive standards, the industry evaluates roof access solutions based on risk:
Are you minimising the risk of falls?
Are users exposed to greater danger when transitioning onto the ladder?
Could someone fall down the stairwell if they lose footing?
Is the ladder positioned in a way that forces unsafe movement or reach?
If an access solution increases risk rather than reduces it, it does not belong in your building, regardless of convenience.
Practical solutions we recommend
Every stairwell is different. That’s why all Kattsafe solutions are customisable to your stairwell layout and constraints.
Below are the most effective options we commonly advise:
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Extend the concrete slab level or balustrading
When using a ladder adjacent to a stair void, fall protection becomes critical.
Where possible, extending the slab at roof level creates the space needed for a fixed ladder rather than a fold‑down option.
Extending the balustrade or installing a protective cage ensures there is no risk of falling down the stairwell, significantly improving user safety.
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Fold‑down ladders that stow away
In highly constrained stairwells, a fold‑down ladder may be the only viable option as they fold completely out of the way, do not obstruct egress and are positioned to minimise reach and transition risk.
This is ideal for tight spaces while maintaining the stair function and is designed with safety first.
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Wall‑mounted rung ladders
If space allows, a wall‑mounted rung ladder keeps access equipment clear of the walking path while maintaining consistency and durability.
Rung ladders are low maintenance, they create a clear access route and are fully compliant when installed correctly.
Our past fire stair projects.
We’ve worked on numerous projects where roof access through a fire stair posed significant constraints. In these cases, detailed drawings and stairwell‑specific designs helped resolve compliance concerns early, saving time, cost, and redesign.
Video by Safe Rope Access.
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Why choose Kattsafe?
Choosing Kattsafe means choosing confidence.
A trusted advisor
We don’t just sell products; we guide your design decisions with safety and compliance at the forefront.
Customisable access solutions
Every stair, void, and access point is different. Our designs respond to real‑world constraints.
Full compliance focus
From AS 1657 alignment to risk-based assessment, compliance is embedded, not an afterthought.
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Contact us to get started
Roof access from an internal stairwell doesn’t have to be complicated, or risky.
With the right advice, the right products, and a clear understanding of risk, it can be safe, compliant, and user‑friendly.
If you’re planning roof access and unsure where to start, talk to our team. We’re here to help you get it right from the beginning.
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