British Standards

It is good to know that somewhere, in a dark dingy office, there is a dedicated civil servant working away to ensure British life is better for all of us.

I know this to be true because in the course of my morning's work I had to refer to British Standard 5395:1984. I was informed by an official at Falkirk Council my spiral staircase must comply with BS5395 so I dutifully went off to see what it was.

There I learned that my spiral staircase must be designed in such a way as to allow full access for coffins.

I also learned that, by law, arm pit height is deemed to be 1300mm above floor level. How fascinating. I suggest you mentally log that nugget for future pub quizzes.