Temporary Kitewinder Staircase FAQs

Temporary Kitewinder Staircase FAQs

Our Temporary Kitewinder Staircase is designed to provide temporary access between floors in properties with kitewinder stairs, compact square stairwells and similar staircase layouts.

Unlike a conventional straight temporary staircase, the Temporary Kitewinder Staircase uses two flights with an intermediate turning platform. This creates a compact staircase arrangement suitable for stairwells where there may not be enough space for a single straight flight.

Below we answer some of the most common questions about Temporary Kitewinder Staircases, including how they work, the stairwell space required, dimensions, installation and how to check whether one will fit your project.

What Is a Temporary Kitewinder Staircase?

A Temporary Kitewinder Staircase is a temporary access staircase specifically designed for properties with a kitewinder-style staircase layout.

Instead of using one long straight flight, the staircase uses two parallel flights connected by an intermediate turning platform. This allows the temporary staircase to fit within a relatively compact stairwell.

It can be installed during construction to provide access between the ground and first floors before the property’s permanent kitewinder staircase is installed.

What Is a Kitewinder Staircase?

A kitewinder staircase is a staircase that changes direction as it rises, allowing it to fit into a more compact area than a long straight staircase.

Kitewinder staircases are commonly found in residential properties where efficient use of floor space is important.

This type of stairwell can present a challenge during construction because a conventional straight temporary staircase may require more space than is available. A Temporary Kitewinder Staircase provides a compact alternative specifically suited to this type of opening.

Why Use a Temporary Kitewinder Staircase During Construction?

The permanent kitewinder staircase may not be installed until relatively late in the construction programme. However, safe and practical access between floors may be required much earlier.

A Temporary Kitewinder Staircase allows trades and site personnel to move between the ground and first floors while construction work continues.

This also allows the finished permanent staircase to be installed later, reducing its exposure to heavy site traffic, dirt and potential damage during construction.

What Type of Stairwell Is the Temporary Kitewinder Staircase Designed For?

The Temporary Kitewinder Staircase is designed particularly for kitewinder stairs and compact square stairwells.

Its two-flight configuration allows the staircase to turn within the stairwell rather than requiring the longer floor opening associated with a conventional straight temporary staircase.

The dimensions and shape of the stairwell should always be checked before ordering to confirm that there is sufficient space for the staircase.

What Size Stairwell Is Required for a Temporary Kitewinder Staircase?

The principal dimensions of our Temporary Kitewinder Staircase are:

Floor-to-floor height: 2.70 m
Intermediate turn platform height: 1.45 m
Overall staircase length / scaffold floor width: approximately 2.20 m
Width required at first-floor level: approximately 1.90 m
Staircase depth: approximately 1.63 m

These are nominal dimensions. The available stairwell should be measured before ordering and additional clearance should be allowed where possible.

You should also check for walls, door frames, pipework, handrails, window sills and any other obstructions that could affect the installation or use of the staircase.

How Do I Know If a Temporary Kitewinder Staircase Will Fit?

The best way to establish whether a Temporary Kitewinder Staircase will fit is to measure the proposed stairwell and compare the available space with the staircase dimensions.

The important measurements include the floor-to-floor height, overall length of the stairwell, stairwell depth and available opening at first-floor level.

The position of the stairwell openings and surrounding walls should also be checked, as the two stair flights need to enter and leave the stairwell in the correct positions.

If you are unsure whether your stairwell is suitable, please contact Safety Platforms with your stairwell dimensions before ordering.

How Much Space Does a Temporary Kitewinder Staircase Need?

Our Temporary Kitewinder Staircase has an overall length of approximately 2.2 m and an overall staircase depth of approximately 1.63 m.

Approximately 1.9 m is required at first-floor level, with a floor-to-floor height of 2.7 m.

Because a kitewinder staircase turns back on itself, these dimensions create a considerably more compact arrangement than would be required for a long straight staircase serving the same floor height.

What Floor-to-Floor Height Is the Temporary Kitewinder Staircase Designed For?

The Temporary Kitewinder Staircase is designed around a 2.7 m floor-to-floor height.

The intermediate turning platform is positioned approximately 1.45 m above ground-floor level.

The floor-to-floor height of the property should be checked before ordering to ensure it is suitable for the staircase.

How Does a Temporary Kitewinder Staircase Work?

The staircase is divided into two flights with an intermediate turning platform.

The lower flight rises from ground-floor level to the intermediate platform. The staircase then changes direction and the upper flight continues from the platform to first-floor level.

When viewed from above, the two stair flights run parallel to one another. This return arrangement allows the staircase to fit into the compact footprint associated with a kitewinder stairwell.

How Many Steps Does the Temporary Kitewinder Staircase Have?

The Temporary Kitewinder Staircase has two separate stair flights.

The lower flight has 7 steps and the upper flight has 6 steps, with an intermediate turning platform connecting the two flights.

This two-flight arrangement provides temporary access through the compact kitewinder-style stairwell.

Does the Temporary Kitewinder Staircase Have a Turning Platform?

Yes. An intermediate turning platform is an important part of the Temporary Kitewinder Staircase design.

The platform connects the lower and upper flights and allows the staircase to change direction within the stairwell.

For the standard staircase, the intermediate platform is positioned approximately 1.45 m above ground-floor level.

What Is the Safe Working Load of the Temporary Kitewinder Staircase?

The Temporary Kitewinder Staircase has a Safe Working Load (SWL) of 250 kg.

The staircase should be installed, inspected and used in accordance with the current manufacturer’s instructions and relevant site safety requirements.

What Is the Difference Between a Temporary Kitewinder Staircase and a Straight Temporary Staircase?

The main difference is the configuration of the stair flights and the amount of space required.

A straight temporary staircase uses a single flight between floor levels. This can require a relatively long opening to achieve the required rise.

A Temporary Kitewinder Staircase uses two parallel flights with an intermediate turning platform. The staircase effectively returns back on itself, creating a much more compact footprint.

This makes the Temporary Kitewinder Staircase particularly useful for housebuilding projects where the permanent staircase is a kitewinder design or where the available stairwell is too compact for a conventional straight temporary staircase.

Can a Temporary Kitewinder Staircase Be Used Before the Permanent Stairs Are Installed?

Yes. This is one of the main applications for a Temporary Kitewinder Staircase.

The temporary staircase can provide access between floors while construction work is underway, allowing installation of the permanent kitewinder staircase to be delayed until later in the build.

Delaying the finished staircase can help protect it from construction traffic and accidental damage while other trades are working within the property.

Is a Temporary Kitewinder Staircase Suitable for Housebuilding?

Yes. The Temporary Kitewinder Staircase is particularly suited to residential construction and housebuilding projects where the permanent staircase follows a kitewinder or compact return configuration.

It provides a temporary means of moving between floors during the construction phase without requiring the finished staircase to be installed at an early stage of the build.

Can the Temporary Kitewinder Staircase Be Reused?

Yes. The Temporary Kitewinder Staircase is temporary construction equipment and can be reused on subsequent plots or projects, provided that the staircase and its components remain in suitable condition.

The equipment should be inspected before use and installed in accordance with the current user instructions. Damaged or defective components should not be used.

Can a Temporary Kitewinder Staircase Be Moved Between Plots?

Yes. One of the advantages of a reusable temporary staircase system is that it can be relocated as construction progresses.

Once temporary access is no longer required on one plot, the staircase can be removed, inspected and used on another suitable stairwell, subject to the stairwell dimensions and installation requirements being compatible.