SPIRAL STAIRS DIRECT - FAQ'S

 
Do I need to comply with building regulations?
 
All spiral staircases whether new or replacement need to comply with the UK building regulations - there are also special requirements for Spiral Stairs and Space Saver stairs which are detailed in BS5395, the British Standard which applies to staircases of this type, BS5395 is referred to in building regulations as the general standard for spiral staircases and helical stairs. For expert and impartial advice please use our Contact form on the Contact Us page or drop us an email if it's easier.
 
Spiral Staircase Dimensions under Building Regs BS5395
 
One aspect of UK building regulations is that it refers to British Standard BS5395-2 for most aspects of spiral staircase dimensions. 
 
Generally the two key tread dimensions are: 
Clear tread width - measured between the INSIDE of the handrail and the centre column - this should be a MINIMUM of 600mm
Tread riser height - this should be a MAXIMUM of 220mm to meet UK building regulations. Generally if you divide the total finished floor to finished floor height of your room (NOT floor to ceiling!) by 220mm this will give you the minimum number of risers in your staircase to meet building regs. If the result is not a whole number then you need to adjust to the next whole number above - e.g. if the result is 13.5 risers, you actually need 14 risers.
Please note most spiral staircases with height adjustment will have a quoted range of adjustment up to 230mm per riser - if you need to use a riser height above 220mm for any reason then we suggest you first contact your building control department for clearance.
 
Ordering and delivery process

How do I place an order / pay for an order?

Orders can easily be placed online using our secure website or on the phone, the price is the same whichever method you choose.
We accept payment by VISA or Mastercard Credit and Debit cards. Or you can pay by BACS or CHAPS electronic transfer, for more details about making this type of payment please contact us.

How long will it take for my delivery to arrive?

Each product page includes a delivery lead time. Delivery times are estimated based on the average shipping times and may vary from time to time due to circumstances beyond our control. Please see the delivery info on the product web page for more information. 

How are the Items delivered?

Large items, such as spiral staircases, are delivered in shipping cases on pallets. We offer kerbside deliveries only. The carrier will offload the goods to a point as close to your property as access will allow. The carrier cannot carry the goods into your property. Small items are usually delivered by parcels carrier.

Dimensions and opening sizes

Will the staircase fit into the space I have available?

For Modular and Space Saver stairs, the easiest way to determine this is to download the brochures from the "Brochure Downloads” section on our website – all of the dimensions and layout plans for these staircases are included in the brochures, along with all the technical information on each product.
Spiral Staircase kits come in a range of diameters – typically 1200mm, 1400mm and 1600mm. Just measure the space you have available to see which size will fit best. Allow 25mm clearance all round the outside of the staircase. Some customers find it easier to draw a circle of the corresponding size on card or paper template and place this on the floor where the staircase is to be sited - this gives a good visual reference to assist you when choosing the best size for your space.

What size opening do I need for a Spiral Staircase?

You need to make the opening 50mm larger than the spiral staircase, to allow for clearance and space for your fingers when holding the handrail. You can make the opening round or square, so for example a 1400mm staircase would require an opening 1450mm round, or 1450mm x 1450mm square.

Do I need to know the floor to floor height?

All of the Spiral Staircase kits, Modular Staircase kits and Space Saver Staircases are adjustable for height, and each web page shows the range of height adjustment available for the standard staircase. In most cases additional treads can be purchased to increase the height range to suit. For additional advice please email or send us a Contact Us form. Please include your finished floor to floor measurement.

Downloading Brochures and Technical Information

Why can’t I view the pdf documents in the downloads section of the website?

All our downloads are pdf format documents. You need to have Adobe Reader software loaded on you computer to view them. If you do not have Adobe Reader, or you have an old copy of it, you can download the latest version of it free by following this link: http://www.adobe.com/uk/

Please note that some pdf documents will take a while to load – please be patient when viewing larger files such as brochures. Click here for brochures
 
 
Assembling the staircase

Is it easy to build a Spiral / Modular / Space Saver Staircase?

All of the Spiral Staircase Modulars and Space Saver stair kits have been designed for self-assembly. There is little or no fabrication as everything is generally pre-machined and is designed to go together like flat-pack furniture. You don’t need any special tools, but we recommend that you are an experienced and competent DIY’er – if you can’t put a shelf up straight, or have never attempted DIY then it’s probably better to get some professional help! Any competent local tradesman will be able to install one of these staircases if you don’t feel like having a go yourself.

How long should it take to assemble?

If you are planning on assembling the staircase yourself, then our tip is to take your time in the beginning and not rush into it – take some time to view the DVD (if supplied with your chosen model) and read through the instructions thoroughly. A helper is always useful to hand you components, and make the tea!
A novice should allow a minimum two full days for a Spiral or Space Saver – obviously the total time you take will vary depending on the pace you want to work at. These average installation times do not include forming an opening if one does not pre-exist.

Is everything I need to build the staircase supplied?

The Spiral, Modular and Space Saver kits include everything you need to assemble the staircase, including components and fixings. You need to supply the basic tools needed to assemble the kit, which are listed in the instructions. Most DIY’ers will already have these items as they are found in most home tool kits.
You may need to consider accessories such as Landing balustrade kits, which can be purchased with the staircase, or afterwards.

Accessories

What are Riser Bar Kits and do I need them?

Riser bars are designed to fit horizontally between the treads of an open-tread staircase. They reduce the gap between treads to less than 100mm, so that they comply with the 100mm rule in building regs. The building regulations (England and Wales) state that these should be fitted to all open tread stairs, particularly where children under 5 may be using the staircase. They can be fitted after the staircase has been completed, or during the build. Scottish regulations state that open-tread staircases in purpose groups 1 & 5 should have riser bars fitted as standard - we would recommend contacting your local Building Control Officer for further information.

How do I know how many landing balustrade kits I need?

Landing balustrade kits are listed in the accessories section of our website. They are modular and are designed to link together to form longer runs of balustrade, or turn corners to form a guard rail round an opening. Models with flexible handrails can be used to form round balustrades.
These modular kits are supplied in 1 metre or 1.2 metre sections depending on manufacturer. Simply measure the space you want to install balustrade to, and order the appropriate number of kits, to the nearest metre above.

Where can I find accessories / extra treads / balustrade kits?

All available accessories are listed by make and model on our website, just go to the Balustrade Systems section on our website and you will find all the available accessories for each range of spiral and space saving staircase.