On 21 Apr 2007 21:18:29 +0100 (BST), Theo Markettos
wrote:

Bit of a long shot this one, but...

I'm looking at designing a spiral staircase (for a new-build). For various
reasons it needs to be possible to separate the floors the staircase links,
so I'm thinking of having a trapdoor that fits into the gap in the ceiling
formed by the staircase. The door would be hinged and counterweighted, on a
pulley controlled by a handle somewhere, tight fitting and fairly heavy (for
sound and thermal insulation), with a bolt to lock it. It wouldn't be moved
very often (once a week maybe), otherwise staying fixed open or fixed closed.

Obviously such a thing could be built from scratch, but does anything like
this already exist? Is there anyone who specialises in the building of
trapdoors or similar, who'd be able to give me advice on whether this is a
silly idea or not, or suppliers of components?

The company I work for design, supplies and fits custom spirals and
I've never heard of anyone doing something like this. In a new build I
can see you having major troubles with BC getting it approved. If you
waited until you had your completion cert etc and then installed it I
suppose no-one would be the wiser but can't see you getting it through
on a new build.

I personally hink it's an avoidable accident waiting to happen. Apart
from the risk of your mechanism failing and the door braining the
operator, you have the risk of trapping some poor sod up there in the
event of a fire (other exit or no). It is different to having a door
in that at least a door might be broken down or easily swung open, a
heavy trapdoor which might have debris fallen on it is another matter
entirely. Please think again.