Hall Layout

Section62

newbieni said:

Silvertabby said:

Do you have young children?  Or even elderly visitors?  If so, those open tread stairs could be a hazard.....

If funds run to it, I would have the stairs replaced with proper ones, with a fitted cupboard under them.  

Funds are not great, the stairs were not carpeted when we moved in so we had to do that. The kids live up stairs in the room above.

With open tread stairs you need to be careful what you store beneath them as there is zero fire/smoke protection on the underside of the staircase.

If you go for a conversion, you need to make sure the underside of the stairs is provided with adequate fire/smoke protection, rather than just infilling the risers and creating a box-like cupboard below.

And make sure you've got suitable working smoke detectors in the hallway and landing at the top of those stairs.

born_again

Something like this
https://clevercloset.co.uk/

But as MSE, self build.

ButterCheese

Emmia said:

Silvertabby said:

Do you have young children?  Or even elderly visitors?  If so, those open tread stairs could be a hazard.....

If funds run to it, I would have the stairs replaced with proper ones, with a fitted cupboard under them.  

I'd do this - box in that whole wall and turn it into a cupboard, and get rid of the open tread stairs. Personally I think they only work if the steps are very deep - which those aren't.

I did this on mine, plywood backing on the stairs, didn't cost much but would if you got someone in.  I'd also vote for closing it in and making a cupboard.  Storage is very handy but looks untidy if it's on show

Section62

ButterCheese said:

Emmia said:

Silvertabby said:

Do you have young children?  Or even elderly visitors?  If so, those open tread stairs could be a hazard.....

If funds run to it, I would have the stairs replaced with proper ones, with a fitted cupboard under them.  

I'd do this - box in that whole wall and turn it into a cupboard, and get rid of the open tread stairs. Personally I think they only work if the steps are very deep - which those aren't.

I did this on mine, plywood backing on the stairs, didn't cost much...

What fire-rating does the plywood have?

thegreenone

A tall cupboard for vacuum etc at the highest point of the stairs.  Put shelves, command hooks and bags inside for cleaning materials.  A plug socket in case you switch to a rechargeable. 

See if you can get a cheap drawer seat (as above photo) or again, a bookshelf on its side from Freecycle or FB marketplace.  Make it strong it enough to be sat on.  You may be able to get a sunlounger cushion for the top.

Put a couple of hooks for everyone, higher for adults, lower for children.  One each for coats and one for schoolbags/gym/handbags.  Shoes off and in respective drawer/cubbyhole, coats and bags hung up.  All bags packed and ready for the morning.  The children can take responsibility for this, including PE bags.

That's what I would do.  Sadly my hallway isn't big enough and we dont have stairs!!!!

I hope you can find a solution.

WIAWSNB

Section62 said:

ButterCheese said:

Emmia said:

Silvertabby said:

Do you have young children?  Or even elderly visitors?  If so, those open tread stairs could be a hazard.....

If funds run to it, I would have the stairs replaced with proper ones, with a fitted cupboard under them.  

I'd do this - box in that whole wall and turn it into a cupboard, and get rid of the open tread stairs. Personally I think they only work if the steps are very deep - which those aren't.

I did this on mine, plywood backing on the stairs, didn't cost much...

What fire-rating does the plywood have?

I don't understand this. It's currently an open staircase betwixt hall and upstairs. What changes?

Section62

WIAWSNB said:

Section62 said:

ButterCheese said:

Emmia said:

Silvertabby said:

Do you have young children?  Or even elderly visitors?  If so, those open tread stairs could be a hazard.....

If funds run to it, I would have the stairs replaced with proper ones, with a fitted cupboard under them.  

I'd do this - box in that whole wall and turn it into a cupboard, and get rid of the open tread stairs. Personally I think they only work if the steps are very deep - which those aren't.

I did this on mine, plywood backing on the stairs, didn't cost much...

What fire-rating does the plywood have?

I don't understand this. It's currently an open staircase betwixt hall and upstairs. What changes?

Rather than an open space where a smouldering fire would be seen/detected and the heat can dissipate, you have an enclosed space in which a smouldering fire can develop without anyone being aware.  It means a different approach needs to be taken with prevention of the spread of flame and smoke.

In simple terms, you don't want a situation where a fire in the enclosed space under the stairs can develop to the point where the stairs are structurally compromised, without the occupants of the upper floor(s) being aware.  Especially if those stairs are the only way the occupants can safely get out of the house.

So the underside of the stairs should have an appropriate level of fire protection - plywood probably won't do it, but fire resisting plasterboard would.

The open staircase is riskier than an enclosed one with proper fire protection, but an open staircase without stuff stored underneath it, combined with working smoke alarms, would mean the occupants should get warned of smoke/fire and are able to escape the property before the egress route is compromised.

Enclosed voids are always a concern when it comes to fire - creating an enclosed void under your stairs without giving the stairs adequate fire protection is taking a risk which isn't necessary, especially if you have children in the house.

Emmia

Section62 said:

WIAWSNB said:

Section62 said:

ButterCheese said:

Emmia said:

Silvertabby said:

Do you have young children?  Or even elderly visitors?  If so, those open tread stairs could be a hazard.....

If funds run to it, I would have the stairs replaced with proper ones, with a fitted cupboard under them.  

I'd do this - box in that whole wall and turn it into a cupboard, and get rid of the open tread stairs. Personally I think they only work if the steps are very deep - which those aren't.

I did this on mine, plywood backing on the stairs, didn't cost much...

What fire-rating does the plywood have?

I don't understand this. It's currently an open staircase betwixt hall and upstairs. What changes?

Rather than an open space where a smouldering fire would be seen/detected and the heat can dissipate, you have an enclosed space in which a smouldering fire can develop without anyone being aware.  It means a different approach needs to be taken with prevention of the spread of flame and smoke.

In simple terms, you don't want a situation where a fire in the enclosed space under the stairs can develop to the point where the stairs are structurally compromised, without the occupants of the upper floor(s) being aware.  Especially if those stairs are the only way the occupants can safely get out of the house.

So the underside of the stairs should have an appropriate level of fire protection - plywood probably won't do it, but fire resisting plasterboard would.

The open staircase is riskier than an enclosed one with proper fire protection, but an open staircase without stuff stored underneath it, combined with working smoke alarms, would mean the occupants should get warned of smoke/fire and are able to escape the property before the egress route is compromised.

Enclosed voids are always a concern when it comes to fire - creating an enclosed void under your stairs without giving the stairs adequate fire protection is taking a risk which isn't necessary, especially if you have children in the house.

Whether it's enclosed or not, the fact is that the OP is going to be storing stuff underneath the stairs. 

The fire risk presumably partially relates to whether there are any electrical sockets/appliances in the under stairs area - no sockets and a cupboard of shoes, would be lower risk than having a cordless vacuum charging in that location.

WIAWSNB

That makes sense, or else every wooden cupboard or unit is an inherent fire risk.