The Safety Concerns of Floating Stairs Debunked

The Safety Concerns of Floating Stairs Debunked Floating staircases look very beautiful and their minimalistic approach and clean lines make them highly sought-after in many homes and businesses. However, as popular as they are, many people are concerned regarding the safety of such open and seemingly unsupported stairs. Fortunately, most of these concerns are unfounded and it is perfectly safe for both children and pets to utilise floating stairs as long as the stairs have been built according to the local safety standards and residential code. That is why it is so important to always use the services of a reliable and reputable staircase installer that will be certified by the local authorities and will be able to install a safe staircase in line with the necessary standards and regulations.

Any staircase is a potential hazard and there are three things that make them a potential danger. The first is the slip factor. If you can slip on the stairs, that may cause you to fall. The next is the fall-through factor, which is incredibly important when considering a spiral staircase. The fall-through factor dictates the possibility of a person or pet falling through the space between the treads.

As a floating staircase has no risers, this is a potential concern. However, a reputable and reliable staircase manufacturer and the installer will know what the legally allowed open-riser space is, and it will never be big enough for a person or pet to fall through easily. Additionally, there are some steps you can take to make sure that your floating staircase is safe for small pets too. The final risk factor with staircases is weight. The staircase, regardless of the type, should be able to carry a significant amount of weight on each tread. Be sure to discuss all these factors with your chosen manufacturer before having your staircase installed.

The first thing that most people are worried about when considering floating stairs is the weight risk factor. They are worried that a seemingly loose step won’t be able to carry enough weight to be used safely in the home. It is imperative to ensure that the type of staircase you select will be able to support the weight of not only your household but whoever may live in the building in the future. Generally, it is the understanding that a staircase tread should be able to

support a concentrated load of approximately 200 pounds in a square foot without the slightest sign of deflection. This is the bare minimum and any tread with the ability to carry a heavier load is, of course, a bonus.

The next thing that people fear is the fall-through factor, however, as mentioned previously, it is possible to make the gap between floating stairs even smaller by adding riser infills. These are small pieces that match the wood or material of the staircase that is inserted under the tread. They are usually not an eyesore and make the fall-through risk much less, particularly in the case of a household with small pets.

Finally, slipping on stairs is a concern for many. One can get very hurt when falling downstairs, and that is why it is always recommended that floating stairs have a balustrade so that a person is supported by their hands and arms as well.

A final touch could be to add non-slip nosing to the stairs. This usually looks stylish and adds additional grip to the step so that slipping is much less of a risk.

Floating stairs look beautiful whether it be in a home or office setting and although many people believe that they carry dangers over and above ordinary staircases, this is simply not true. However, for the risk factors that do exist, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure the safety of your floating staircase.

About Us Complete Stair Systems is one of the leading staircase manufacturers and installers in the UK. With a focus on open, modern, and light designs, our staircases create a real ‘wow’ factor and a focal point within a dwelling. Our staircases are constructed in a combination of timber, steel and glass and have open risers to allow the passage of light.Whether creating a grand feature staircase in a new hallway or accessing a tight loft space, we will have the perfect solution within our large range.We are proud of our completed spiral stair and staircase projects and have prepared a helpful and inspirational staircase gallery and staircase case study list to demonstrate the styles and materials we offer. For more information on Complete Stair Systems, please visit https://www.completestairsystems.co.uk/.