Project Portfolio: Basement Access Staircase Replacement (Central London)

Project Overview

Client: Raheel

Location: Central London

System: Bespoke Steel Staircase with Checkerplate Treads

Scope: Removal of hazardous timber stairs, structural survey, Sheffield-based manufacture, and professional installation.

Modernizing London’s Subterranean Access

For Raheel’s rental property, the existing timber staircase had become structurally unsound due to the damp conditions often found in London basement lightwells. The goal was to replace the dangerous, rotting structure with a permanent, UKCA-certified steel solution that improved both safety and aesthetics. 

• Improved Geometry: We redesigned the staircase to be shallower, making the transition between levels much easier and safer. By removing a small, redundant top landing, we were able to shorten the overall footprint so it no longer encroached past the door at the base.

• Safety First: The new system features non-slip checkerplate treads, providing essential grip for external use in wet weather.

• Corrosion Resistance: Given the high-moisture environment of a London basement, the steel was hot-dip galvanized and finished in a high-durability black powder coating with BS6180 compliant metal balustrades to both sides. 

Technical Expert Insight: Navigating Geometry Changes and Building Regulations

When replacing a "dangerous" or rotting staircase, the temptation is often to significantly alter the layout to save space. However, any change to the geometry of a staircase—such as the pitch, rise, or going—must strictly adhere to Approved Document K of the Building Regulations. For Raheel’s project, we redesigned the stair to be shallower for easier access, but this was calculated within the specific parameters dictated by UK building law. It is crucial to note that any design falling outside these standardized specifications must be formally approved by Local Building Control prior to manufacture. At Dio-Met, we utilize AutoCAD to ensure every bespoke Sheffield-made staircase is compliant from the outset, providing the necessary UKCA certification to satisfy local inspectors and ensure long-term property legality.

Versatile Installation: Professional Service or Custom Kit Form

Whether you are a homeowner in Central London requiring a full turnkey service or a developer in Scotland with a site team ready to go, Dio-Met offers flexible installation options:

• Professional In-House Installation: As we did for Raheel, our own directly employed fitters—never subcontractors—can handle the entire process from removal of old structures to final bolt-down.

• National Custom Kit Form: We supply our bespoke steel staircases nationwide in a "ready-to-assemble" kit form. Unlike "off-the-shelf" modular stairs, these are still 100% custom-made in our Sheffield workshop to your specific dimensions.

• Contractor Friendly: Our kits are engineered for straightforward assembly by any competent person or local builder, supported by the precise AutoCAD drawings and trial-assembly checks we perform before shipping.

• View our Steel Staircase Range: Steel Staircase Systems

• Compliance Specs: Understanding UKCA certification- A Legal Requirement for Structural Steel

• Get a London Staircase Quote: Call 0114 243 9009 or email sales@diometonline.co.uk.