Controlled spirals
Antonia Harding of British Spirals & Castings dispels the myth that spiral staircases are dangerous and explains how they can be used effectively and safely in your project
in any style of home. However, it’s these qualities that can lead some to worry about the potential safety issues of such a compact yet open design. Does the fact they take up less floor space make them steep and difficult to navigate? Does their openness, although visually striking, increase the likelihood of serious falls and injuries? These concerns are understandable, but with
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careful planning that takes into consideration your individual household needs, it is possible to create a staircase that is as safe and functional as conventional straight stairs, without having to compromise on style.
Designing for your needs
As cumbersome as Building Regulations sometimes seem, BS 5395 Part 2 offers clear guidance on how to construct a safe staircase. By choosing a carefully designed bespoke spiral staircase and using a reputable firm with the right knowledge, you can ensure that not only does your staircase comply with all the necessary safety regulations, but also that every element blends seamlessly into your home and lifestyle. Shape: It is vital to get the geometry of a
spiral staircase right. Building Regulations state that a spiral staircase that services one habitable room should have at least 600 mm clear width, from the inside of the pole to the inside of the handrail, with a maximum rise (step height) of 220 mm. These measurements increase to 800 mm wide, or 900 mm in Scotland, if serving two habitable rooms. Evenly spaced treads at a consistent width will create a gentle and steady curve. This will give the
52 selfbuilder & homemaker
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ith their architectural beauty and space-saving benefits, spiral staircases can be the perfect feature
spiral its strikingly organic aesthetic and reduce the steepness, making it easier to navigate even when carrying awkward objects. Indeed, the shape of the spiral can be considered a safety plus in itself as if you lose your footing, you would only fall one or two treads before meeting the balustrade or the spiral handrails. Materials: One of the first decisions to make
when designing your spiral staircase is what it will be made of. There are a variety of materials and finishes to choose from, from powder coated metal to solid timber, or a combination of these options. In addition to allowing you to tailor the staircase to the look and feel you want to achieve, they can offer differing levels of grip. For example, a diamond or grated patterned cast metal tread can help to reduce the risk of slipping; particularly useful when used outside under the British weather. There are also additional products you can
consider to further reduce the risk of slipping. For example, if you prefer the exposed look or your staircase will be outside, transparent anti-slip tread tape adds traction without detracting from the natural quality and beauty of the material. Risers: A key regulation to keep in mind
when choosing the different decorative and structural elements of a spiral staircase is the ‘100 mm sphere rule.’ This states that there must be no gaps greater than 99 mm anywhere on the staircase to stop the risk of limbs becoming stuck, or young children or pets falling through the gap. This is particularly important to think about
when choosing the style of riser. While it is, of course, possible to build a spiral staircase with closed risers as you would see on a standard staircase, for some the beauty of a spiral design is in its light and ‘floating’ appearance. A riser
bar – a thin steel bar or a piece of timber planted to the front tread – reduces the gap between each rise/tread to less than 100 mm without compromising on the open look of the staircase. If you have chosen an ornate metal spiral design, you could complement this by using decorative fascias instead of the traditional plain fascias. Balustrades: Balustrades are another element
that are subject to the 100 mm sphere rule. In households with small children – who not only have a tendency to see anything with bars as a large climbing frame, but also use them to hold onto and lean against when using the stairs – it is especially vital to safeguard them from falling
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