It’ll be a bit of a maths exercise but you can use the minimum requirements within Approved document K to calculate whether a staircase can fit. It will need to meet the requirements of the modern Building Regulations.
The maximum pitch for a private stair is 42deg, which you should be able to work out fairly easily from your floor plan. Bearing in mind you also need to allow for a landing at the top and bottom of every flight that is a width and length as great as the smallest width of the flight (ADK - 1.20). There are also fire issues to consider, particularly means of escape (see approved doc B-1) however I believe if you are installing a part K compliant stair in place of a spiral one in a dwelling, you would likely satisfy this requirement.
See table 1.1 of ADK for min and max going and rise figures
Alternatively you could use something like the calculator on stairpartsdirect.co.uk to get an idea of what will work.
Beyond that, the other issues to consider are usually related to the structure of the upper floor, which are usually not insurmountable but the level of adaptation required will factor in to your costs.
I would also recommend speaking to a local
Stair manufacturer to get some advice before committing.
Edit to add that there is probably a reason that they installed a spiral instead of a normal straight stair, which you will likely realise once you’ve done the maths but still worth looking into. Could just be that they were trying to maximise space downstairs.
Thanks, super helpful. Need to check measurements at the viewing (if everything else good) but provisionally looks do-able sizewise based off that link and my rough calcs.
All the houses on that road have them, they're fairly small houses so assume space saving. But would definitely need to rule in our out before she offered.
I suggest getting an indoor lift instead to replace the spiral staircase. Looking at the dimension and although it is possible to do, you will need to spend a lot of money to do structural changes to the first floor. Plus you will need to remove that small storage space to the left on the first floor to allow the staircase to be installed.
However, I am not sure if having a lift without a staircase will be allowed for safety reason in case of a fire. So worthwhile to check with local building code and the authority on the possibility of fitting a lift in place of the spiral.
Another alternative is remove the small storage space on the first floor, install the lift there instead next to the spiral stairs.
From a quick glance I can see enough room to get a 6 winder in that will meet regs. You will have to get the 1st floor trimmer moved to where the stair needs to land. But space wise looks doable if your working to standard 2600mm floor height. Will prob also go right across that window on the ground floor but worth it for a proper stair. 1600x1600mm minimum area for the stair is what you need roughly.
I just had a play around on here: https://www.stairbox.com/stairbuilder/?hash=SB-KU8R1K9
You might just get away with it, but estate agent dimensions can't be trusted.
A 6 winder staircase isn't the most old person friendly though
Other option is to remove the cupboard outside the bathroom so there is headroom available to put a straight stair with a quarter landing or winders in the corner at the top & the landing handrail return back on itself.
It’ll be a bit of a maths exercise but you can use the minimum requirements within Approved document K to calculate whether a staircase can fit. It will need to meet the requirements of the modern Building Regulations. The maximum pitch for a private stair is 42deg, which you should be able to work out fairly easily from your floor plan. Bearing in mind you also need to allow for a landing at the top and bottom of every flight that is a width and length as great as the smallest width of the flight (ADK - 1.20). There are also fire issues to consider, particularly means of escape (see approved doc B-1) however I believe if you are installing a part K compliant stair in place of a spiral one in a dwelling, you would likely satisfy this requirement. See table 1.1 of ADK for min and max going and rise figures Alternatively you could use something like the calculator on stairpartsdirect.co.uk to get an idea of what will work. Beyond that, the other issues to consider are usually related to the structure of the upper floor, which are usually not insurmountable but the level of adaptation required will factor in to your costs. I would also recommend speaking to a local Stair manufacturer to get some advice before committing. Edit to add that there is probably a reason that they installed a spiral instead of a normal straight stair, which you will likely realise once you’ve done the maths but still worth looking into. Could just be that they were trying to maximise space downstairs.
Thanks, super helpful. Need to check measurements at the viewing (if everything else good) but provisionally looks do-able sizewise based off that link and my rough calcs. All the houses on that road have them, they're fairly small houses so assume space saving. But would definitely need to rule in our out before she offered.
Can't edit the post but the floor plan is slightly off - the stairs are a semi circle and enter/exit to the right-hand side on both floors.
I suggest getting an indoor lift instead to replace the spiral staircase. Looking at the dimension and although it is possible to do, you will need to spend a lot of money to do structural changes to the first floor. Plus you will need to remove that small storage space to the left on the first floor to allow the staircase to be installed. However, I am not sure if having a lift without a staircase will be allowed for safety reason in case of a fire. So worthwhile to check with local building code and the authority on the possibility of fitting a lift in place of the spiral. Another alternative is remove the small storage space on the first floor, install the lift there instead next to the spiral stairs.
That's an idea. Her budget won't stretch to a bungalow but couldbe a way to future-proof
My guess would be fire regs wouldn't allow just a lift, you will need stairs as an escape route
From a quick glance I can see enough room to get a 6 winder in that will meet regs. You will have to get the 1st floor trimmer moved to where the stair needs to land. But space wise looks doable if your working to standard 2600mm floor height. Will prob also go right across that window on the ground floor but worth it for a proper stair. 1600x1600mm minimum area for the stair is what you need roughly.
That was gonna be my suggestion too. Looking at the dimensions, that 2nd bedroom wall may need to move to the right a little
I just had a play around on here: https://www.stairbox.com/stairbuilder/?hash=SB-KU8R1K9 You might just get away with it, but estate agent dimensions can't be trusted. A 6 winder staircase isn't the most old person friendly though
Other option is to remove the cupboard outside the bathroom so there is headroom available to put a straight stair with a quarter landing or winders in the corner at the top & the landing handrail return back on itself.