Spiral Stairways

[nearlythere]

I have a premises for people with special needs, learning difficulties and mental disabilities and a sleeping area for 4 has a spiral stairway as an alternative MOE.

CLGC guidance for this use recommends that:-
"Existing spiral and helical stairways that are not
designed for the purpose should not normally
form part of an escape route."

What would the panel consider a spiral stairway designed for the purpose to be?

[Midland Retty]

Hi Nearlythere

If you look at say Approved Document B England and Wales Building Regs for example it states that spiral stairs should be designed in accordance with BS 5395 and approved document K

Apologies I know this refers to E&W building regs but it may hint to what the CLG guides are eluding to.

My opinion is they mean a spiral or helical staircase similar to what you might find in say a church tower if you want to picture it - what I mean is:-

• Staircase enclosed either side so that its not easy to fall over a banister / edge (in other words its not a spiral staircase with open banisters - some people simply fear using open spiral staircases!
• "Non open tread" type staircase so that nobody can get their feet trapped (care environment), plus some people are wary of walking up or down open tread steps
• wide treads to prevent trips and slips etc, ie not a narrow staircase etc - again this to prevent slips and trips plus again you would be amazed that some people have a phobia of spiral staircases because the steps get thinner / narrower as they curve round an angle

[nearlythere]

Hi Nearlythere

If you look at say Approved Document B England and Wales Building Regs for example it states that spiral stairs should be designed in accordance with BS 5395 and approved document K

Apologies I know this refers to E&W building regs but it may hint to what the CLG guides are eluding to.

My opinion is they mean a spiral or helical staircase similar to what you might find in say a church tower if you want to picture it - what I mean is:-

• Staircase enclosed either side so that its not easy to fall over a banister / edge (in other words its not a spiral staircase with open banisters - some people simply fear using open spiral staircases!
• "Non open tread" type staircase so that nobody can get their feet trapped (care environment), plus some people are wary of walking up or down open tread steps
• wide treads to prevent trips and slips etc, ie not a narrow staircase etc - again this to prevent slips and trips plus again you would be amazed that some people have a phobia of spiral staircases because the steps get thinner / narrower as they curve round an angle

Thanks MF. I have looked at a lot of guidance on this including BS 5395 Pt2. I was hoping and expecting some mention of prohibiting this in care homes but can't seem to find anything specific. Probably PEEPs best way to address it.

[jokar]

Have you had a look at BS 8300 or Part M as regards access and therefore means of escape?

[Phoenix]

Nearlythere,

I think your query is more a question of semantics than of practical fire safety.  You can infer from the CLG quote that there do exist spiral staircases designed for means of escape, and that might appear to be the most obvious implication. 

But the loose wording of the CLG statement means that it can also simply mean that there are existing spiral staircases and that none of these have been designed for means of escape and so they should not normally be used for such a purpose.

In fact, I believe the former interpretation is the right one.  I have seen a number of spiral staircases that were designed for means of escape.  Most of them are at least a hundred years old and would be judged perilous by today's standards but, it cannot be denied, that they were installed to provide an alternative escape route.

Coming to the pertinent fire safety aspect of your query, you have to ask yourself, can these four people safely and reliably use the spiral staircase to escape from fire?  I would suggest that if they are in the habit of using the staircase on an everyday basis to access the sleeping area then they would be perfectly capable of using it to escape from a fire.  If they have never used the spiral staircase and some part of their disability makes it difficult or hazardous for them to use the spiral staircase then it is not a viable alternative.

It is slightly more complex than I have stated above because you have to consider, not just the residents, but also other people that might be in the bedrooms and also other residents who may occupy the rooms in years to come.

Many existing spiral staircases provide an alternative (or sometimes the only) escape route for a small number of people.  Have a good look at the staircase and a good look at all the people who might have to use it, then make your judgement.

Stu

[nearlythere]

Nearlythere,

I think your query is more a question of semantics than of practical fire safety.  You can infer from the CLG quote that there do exist spiral staircases designed for means of escape, and that might appear to be the most obvious implication. 

But the loose wording of the CLG statement means that it can also simply mean that there are existing spiral staircases and that none of these have been designed for means of escape and so they should not normally be used for such a purpose.

In fact, I believe the former interpretation is the right one.  I have seen a number of spiral staircases that were designed for means of escape.  Most of them are at least a hundred years old and would be judged perilous by today's standards but, it cannot be denied, that they were installed to provide an alternative escape route.

Coming to the pertinent fire safety aspect of your query, you have to ask yourself, can these four people safely and reliably use the spiral staircase to escape from fire?  I would suggest that if they are in the habit of using the staircase on an everyday basis to access the sleeping area then they would be perfectly capable of using it to escape from a fire.  If they have never used the spiral staircase and some part of their disability makes it difficult or hazardous for them to use the spiral staircase then it is not a viable alternative.

It is slightly more complex than I have stated above because you have to consider, not just the residents, but also other people that might be in the bedrooms and also other residents who may occupy the rooms in years to come.

Many existing spiral staircases provide an alternative (or sometimes the only) escape route for a small number of people.  Have a good look at the staircase and a good look at all the people who might have to use it, then make your judgement.
Stu

Thanks Stu et al. The existing spiral stairway is for MOE only but obviously that does not mean a lesser standard is acceptable. I think the PEEPs approach is appropriate in this case as the issue extends further than mobility.

[kurnal]

If you are interested Crecent Stairs of Cambridge  www.crescentstairs.co.uk provide technical data sheets and design a wide range of spiral staircases. I am just considering using one in a building regs proposal for a new small room for up to 40 people on the second floor of a mosque, the only staircase serving the floor will be installed in the minarete.
There isnt room to do anything else, the staircase is designed as a public stair category E  (2.4m diameter) to BS 5395-2 1984.

The other unusual feature of this project is that to provide inclusive access a lift will be provided, though this will be an evacuation lift to the full  spec set out in BS9999.

Whilst generally staircase design has moved on in recent years, the BS 5395-2 1984 standard for spiral and helical stairs is still listed as current on BSI online.

(Caveat- This project is at the early stages and the information is not guaranteed to be correct and is provided to further the discussion. Do not rely on it.)