Wanting to add external access to upstairs (retail property) and been quoted £5k for an external metal staircase, fitted. Is that normal/reasonable?
Has anyone any experience of a timber alternative? I imagine that timber these days would stand the test of time, be fire retardant and look better (IMO at least) and i'd have thought should be cheaper.
Is there scope for this to be a DIY job or would building regs make it problematic?
last time I looked, and it was a few years ago you couldn't have a timber escape stair......
"Timber these days" tends to last a shorter time than tiber of old since many preservatives have been banned. It is certainly less fire retardant than steel. I doubt if you'd get permission to have anything other than metal.
Fitting it is certainly DIY able.
Most staircase manufacturers will design to building regs, computer-cut the bits, and you assemble them.
Owain
No surely it would fall to bits when hot? Also what about disabled access? Brian
They have to be metal Plus if it passes any windows, they have to be wired glass. No reason why you can't fit one yourself if you have the skills
So why would a West Yorks fire service document regarding external fire escapes say "Timber stairs should be carefully examined for signs of rot."
perhaps they are referring to older ones. That doesn't mean timber ones are allowed nowadays,.
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