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05 December 2011

Does the Berlin space saver stair comply with the UK Regulations.

The luxury Berlin space saver stair is by a mile the nicest looking alternate tread space saving staircase on the market. Unfortunately the wrap around stainless steel balustrade system can have problems meeting the Building Regulations. It is not alone in this, most wrap around wire or rod balustrade systems struggle to meet the 100mm sphere rule and can be considered too easy for children to climb. This is a pity because the wrap a round systems on staircases such as space savers or spirals look good and are very much in vogue.

You must also bear in mind that no alternate tread space saving staircase automatically complies with the Regulations, it all depends on what they are used for. In England Wales Northern Ireland and the Republic you can basically use them to serve one bedroom and an associated bathroom, although there are other conditions as well. In Scotland you can not use them at all, sorry.

Another point with the Berlin space saver stair is that the superb curved treads which give far better access for the feet than other paddle shaped treads actually fall foul of the Regulations because the tread nosing are not parallel. This really is a shame because believe me they are better than anything I have come across in space saver stair treads.

With the use of all space saver stairs I would recommend that you seek advice from your specific Local Authority before you proceed too far. Different Authorities have different opinions on their use.

The space saver stair Doctor