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- Product Description
- Height & Layout
- Fixing
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- Staircase FAQs
- Additional Information
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The Optima spiral satircase is special outdoor version of Ehleva’s Motion spiral staircase kit. The metal parts have been specially coated with zinc through a hot dip galvanisation process to prevent rusting. The treads have holes punched into them to provide a rough slip resistant surface. The Optima is easy to assemble and most people manage to do this in a single day using standard tools.
The Optima staircase comes in different sizes and can be adjusted to suit most houses. For more information please read the height and layout tab. Otherwise the most common queries about the Optima spiral staircase kit are:
What comes in the box?
A landing plate and fixings to connect it to the upper floor
A centre pole and base plate
Treads
Tread spacers
Balusters
Handrail
A wall bracket
Written installation instructions and a DVD
What are the main parts made from?
The landing plate and treads are made from pressed steel. They have a galvanised zinc finish to prevent rusting and have been punched with holes to provide an anti slip surface.
The balusters and tread spacers are made from steel tube. They also have a galvanised zinc finish to prevent rusting.
The handrail is an easy fix system made from PVC and is black in colour.
How is the delivery made?
The Optima spiral staircase is supplied in kit form. It is shipped in a large plywood box on a wooden pallet and depending on the number of treads ordered there may be a few smaller cardboard boxes as well. The delivery is made using a large vehicle with a tail lift and a pump truck because the main box is too heavy to be lifted by hand. The driver will take the goods off the lorry and deliver them to the roadside outside your property, or as close as possible if you live on an unmade road. From there you will need to provide the means of bringing them into the building. If you need to do this by hand you can do so only by opening the box and carrying in the pieces inside. It is not possible to move the complete box by hand as it will weigh at least 150kg.
How can I tell if it will fit my house?
You need to take a few measurements and then carefully read the information we give on heights and layout and fixings. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call our technical sales team on 0800 098 8778. We're here to help!
Will my new staircase meet building regulations?
Approved Document K from the Building Regulations refers to British Standard 5395 1984 part 2 for guidance on the design of spiral staircases. Essentially the standard gives different requirements depending on where a spiral staircase is going to be used. For example the requirements for a staircase in a private house are different to those for a staircase in a public place. Even within a house the requirements can change because a staircase up to a small loft conversion can be smaller and steeper than a staircase going from ground to first floor in a family house. If your installation needs to comply with building regulations then you need to find out which category of spiral staircase is right for your situation (ask Building Control). Providing you buy the 1600mm diameter model, and you assemble it so that the rise per step is less than 220mm, the Optima will meet the requirements of a category A or "Small Private" stair. It is your responsibility to determine whether or not this will meet your requirements.
Accessories for the Optima spiral staircase
In addition to the Optima spiral staircase kit there are some accessories available which you might need to finish your job. They are:
Riser bars for the Optima spiral staircase kit by Ehleva
Riser bars are horizontal steel tubes which fit between the treads for the safety of small children. You should fit them if children under the age of five are likely to have access to the staircase.
For more information on riser bars for the Optima spiral staircase kit please click here
Landing balustrade kit for the Optima spiral staircase kit by Ehleva
The Optima spiral staircase kit comes with enough handrail and balusters to go on the staircase and landing plate only. It does not come with any balustrade to sit on the upper floor. The collective name for the handrails, balusters etc that sit on top of the upper floor is landing balustrade. If you need landing balustrade you must buy it separately. It is sold in kits 1 metre long straight lengths.
Before you buy a Optima Outdoor kit spiral staircase you need to check that it will fit the space you have available for it. Please read through the information below before you place your order and also take a look at the accessories which are available for the Optima Outdoor kit spiral staircase, just to make sure you have everything you need to finish the job properly. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact one of our technical sales people on 0800 098 8778, we’re always happy to help!
Staircase Height
At the bottom of the Optima outdoor kit spiral staircase there is a steel base plate which sits on top of the lower floor. At the top there is a steel landing plate which overlaps the upper floor and is screwed down onto it. The height between the underside of the lower floor fixing plate and the underside of the landing plate is known as the floor to floor height. Different buildings have different floor to floor heights and so the Optima outdoor spiral staircase kit is adjustable so that it can fit the exact floor to floor height on your site.
What is the floor to floor height?
The floor to floor height should be measured vertically from the top of one floor to the next.
Floor to floor table
This table allows you to work out how many treads and risers you will need to be able to reach your floor to floor height. The term “riser” refers to the height of each step and the tread is the surface you stand on. There is always one more riser than there are treads because the last riser is the step up from the top tread to the landing plate.
| Floor to floor | No. of risers | No. of treads |
|---|---|---|
| 2100 - 2350mm | 10 | 9 |
| 2310 - 2580mm | 11 | 10 |
| 2530 - 2820mm | 12 | 11 |
| 2740 - 3060mm | 13 | 12 |
| 2960 - 3300mm | 14 | 13 |
| 3170 - 3530mm | 15 | 14 |
Staircase Layout
Once you have determined the number of treads that will be in your staircase you will also need to check whether or not the layout of the stair will be appropriate for your site. The drawings below show the typical layout of a 12 tread (13 riser) staircase. Of course your installation may well need more or fewer treads than this so if you want us to make a specific drawing for you please call our technical sales team on 0800 098 8778. Please bear in mind that the staircase must positioned so that it is at least 25mm clear of any surrounding walls.
Typical layout drawings - Clockwise rotation
Clockwise rotation refers to the direction in which that treads turn if you start from the bottom of the stair
Typical layout drawings - Anticlockwise rotation
Anticlockwise rotation refers to the direction in which that treads turn if you start from the bottom of the stair
The Landing Plate
The landing plate supplied with the Optima Outdoor kit spiral staircase can be used to fit round or square openings, or to fit against the side of balconies. The landing plate is triangular in shape but since it overlaps the floor edge it doesn't make a difference if the floor edge is curved or straight. Please note that finished openings/ stairwells must be at least 50mm bigger than the staircase diameter and ideally 100mm bigger.
As you might expect the Optima Outdoor kit spiral staircase needs to be securely fixed in a few key places. Before you buy an Optima outdoor spiral staircase kit you need to take a close look at your site to see whether or not secure fixings can be achieved. The different types of fixing are:
Staircase plans and instructions
Here you can download drawings and installation instructions for the Optima Outdoor spiral staircase kit:
Base Plate
At the centre of the stair there is a galvanised steel tube attached to a steel base plate, which needs to be bolted to the lower floor. You need to make sure that when you erect the centre pole it is perfectly vertical. If the floor isn't level then put some packers underneath the base plate to compensate. Below are a few common types of floor and ways of fixing to them. Please bear in mind that if there is an under floor heating system present then you will need to be sure that the area is clear of pipes before you start drilling holes:
Concrete
Drill holes as required and bolt the fixing plate down with the standard expansion bolts supplied.
Concrete under tiles
In this situation there is a danger that the weight of the stair could cause the tiles to crack. One solution is to fit some locking nuts so that the base plate is held just fractionally above the tiles. The idea is that the load is imposed onto the concrete and not the tile.
Landing Plate Fixing Brackets
At the top of the stair there is a steel landing plate which overlaps the upper floor. The landing plate is typically fixed as follows:
Concrete or Wood
Screw down the landing plate on top of the finished floor. The screw heads are hidden under a black anti slip mat.
Baluster Fixing Cup
The first baluster is fixed to the floor to prevent the tread from bouncing when you walk on it (all the treads are connected together by balusters for the same reason). The way it does this is with the use of a special metal cup. The cup gets screwed to the floor first then the baluster sits in the cup and a grub screw holds it firmly in place. The exact type of fixing to the floor varies depending on the type of floor. Here are a few examples:
Concrete floor
Drill into the concrete or screed, fit the plastic plug supplied and then screw the cup to the floor.
Wall Brackets
The Optima Outdoor kit spiral staircase can be freestanding. That is to say that it isn't essential for you to fix it to surrounding walls. However, if there is a wall very near to the staircase then you should bracket the stair to it to help reduce movement when you walk up and down. The positive effect of fitting the wall bracket becomes more apparent with bigger staircases (i.e. lots of steps or a big diameter), where movement is most likely to occur. The bracket is most effective if positioned approximately halfway up the stair.
Solid walls
Find a position between two treads where the bracket can grasp the baluster and still reach the wall. Drill into the wall, fit the plastic plugs supplied and then screw on the bracket.
Staircase installation manual and how to videos
Here you can find blah blah blah
Staircase plans and instructions
Here you can downlaod staircase plan drawings and staircase installation instructons
Frequently asked questions for the Optima Spiral Stair by Ehleva
Can I specially order the Optima Spiral Stair in any other colours?
Can I specially order the Optima Spiral Stair in any other colours?
No. The Optima spiral stair kit from Ehleva is only available in the standard colours. These are white, grey and black for the metal parts and a light or dark colour finish for the beech treads. If you are looking for alternative colours please email us at contact@staircasewarehouse.com with your requirements, and we will try to suggest an alternative product
Will my new staircase conform to the building regulations?
Staircase installations are subject to the building regulations. These are described in Approved Document K, and additionally for spiral stairs, BS5395: 1984: Part 2. It is important to understand that the regulations vary according to individual site circumstances and therefore you should check with the local authority that the installation you are planning is approved before purchasing a staircase. Staircase Warehouse is not responsible for ensuring the suitability of your installation for Building Regulations.
Should I specify the direction I want the stair to rotate when I order?
No. The Optima can rotate in either the clockwise or anti clockwise direction. The direction is determined during the assembly.
How does the universal landing platform work?
The universal landing platform is wooden board that butts up against the side of the floor, level with the finished floor surface. It is supplied as an oversized triangle and is cut by the installer to suit site requirements. If the stair is being installed into a square opening the installer trims a straight edge and if the opening is circular he scribes and cuts a curved line.
The staircase doesn’t reach my floor height - can I extend it?
Yes. The modular design of the Optima spiral stair kit allows you to extend the height by adding extra treads to the standard kit. You can also reduce the height by using fewer treads. Please see the assembled size table and stair plan drawing sections on the product information page for more information.
How long does it take to install the staircase?
If you have done your planning and preparation work beforehand, and your structural opening is formed the staircase should not take more than one day for two people to install fully.
Do I require any specialist tools?
The staircase has been designed to be installed by DIY’ers. No specialist tools are needed to install the Optima spiral stair. The standard tools that you will require are as follows; electric drill/ driver, spirit level, Allen keys 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 12mm, plumb line, spanners, 13, 17, 30mm, measuring tape, hacksaw, Phillips screw driver, mallet and dill bits.
Can Staircase Warehouse install this product for me?
Currently Staircase Warehouse does not provide an installation service. Although depending on your location, we might be able to put you in contact with a staircase installer please email us a contact@staircasewarehouse.com
How long will my stair take to arrive?
The delivery will normally take around 7-10 working days to arrive with you. The stair will be dispatched to you directly from the manufacturer in Italy. Every year the manufacturer closes for seasonal holidays in August and December. Around these periods delivery times will vary. Please contact us if you are in doubt.
| Metal colour | No |
|---|---|
| Wood colour | No |
| Delivery time | 15 working days |
| Main materials | Metal |
| Balustrade style | Standard |
| Handrail material | Plastic (flexible) |
| Treads | Material: Pressed mild steel Thickness: 2mm Finish: Galvanised Metal Colours: Zinc |
| Handrail | Material: Plastic Flexible or rigid: Flexible Size and profile: N/A, Profiled Finish: Smooth surface Colour: Black |
| Balusters | Material: Mild Steel tube Diameter: 20mm Finish: Galvanised Metal Colours: Zinc |
| Handrail to baluster connectors | Material: Plastic Finish: N/A Colours: Black |
| Handrail to handrail connectors | Style: N/A Material: N/A Finish: N/A |
| Centre column | Colours: grey Finish: Galvanised Metal Material: Steel tube Diameter: 104mm Tread spacers: Black, Nylon |
| Instructions supplied | Written and DVD |
| Accessories available | No |
