What Staircase to Choose for a Medical Clinic?
Do you own a modern medical clinic, hospital, or cosmetology salon? One of the main principles of business is to provide the best conditions for your patients. This should be related to the high quality of medical services as well as the comfort of your facility. If your clinic has two or more floors, you have to pay attention to the staircase design.
Staircase projects for medical centres are different from the usual constructions that are installed in private buildings. In such a project, you need to widely consider various factors of safety and functionality of the design. Obviously, you shouldn’t forget about the aesthetics of the staircase so that it optimally fits the overall design of your facility. In this article, we would like to tell you how to choose the perfect staircase for a medical clinic in 2025. Enjoy reading this article!
What Should a Staircase for Medical Facilities Be?
As we have already mentioned above, medical facilities are different from ordinary flats and private homes. In this case, you should think not about yourself but about your target audience. For example, if your healthcare clinic provides different types of services, you may have people with various abilities coming to you. Here are the main design parameters that must be met for your facility:
- Safety. Firstly, it must be strong and stable to withstand high loads, including use by patients with impaired health. Steps should be anti-slip and handrails should be sturdy and easy to grip.
- Functionality. Undoubtedly, functionality is an important aspect. A staircase should be designed to allow for quick evacuation in case of an emergency. It should be wide so that it does not provide congestion when patient traffic is high.
- Additional facilities. People with disabilities can’t use stairs, no matter how convenient they are. This is why your clinic should have a separate lift.
Moreover, a staircase in a medical clinic or hospital must ensure normal visibility. Therefore, you can often find the use of tempered glass in such projects.
The Best Types of Staircases Suitable for Medical Clinics
It’s no secret that there are many types of staircases. In the V.P Stairs portfolio, you can explore different types of designs based on their shape, materials, and other elements. What is the best option to choose for medical facilities? It’s hard to single out one type of structure, as much depends on your goals, target audience, and requirements. Below, we’ll talk about two types of stairs that are great for medical clinics, hospitals, and beauty salons.
Helical
Helical staircases are ideal for clinics with limited space. Their smooth curve allows for a compact and functional design that maximises space efficiency. These staircases add aesthetic appeal thanks to their exquisite shape. They can also be made of different materials such as metal, wood or glass. IMPORTANT: the curve of the design should be smooth and not too abrupt. This will make it safe for all patients to move on the stairs.
In addition, helical staircases should be strong enough and have anti-slip coatings to prevent accidents. Are there any disadvantages? These stairs may not be optimal for people with disabilities.
Bespoke
We believe that the ideal solution for healthcare facilities is to order bespoke staircases. Why is this so? These options offer maximum design flexibility, allowing you to cater for all the features of a healthcare facility. With customised solutions, you can design a staircase that fits the space perfectly, whether it’s a straight model or a staircase with intermediate resting areas.
Moreover, you are not limited in your choice of materials for bespoke staircases. Specialists recommend paying attention to natural materials such as wood. They can be perfectly combined with glass balustrades to provide normal light and conditions for excellent visualisation. The possibility to create a customised solution also gives a chance to take into account specific safety requirements, such as the installation of wide and sturdy handrails, anti-slip steps, and proper lighting.
Legal Requirements and Building Regulations
Certainly, in the UK, the selection and installation of stairs in healthcare facilities must comply with strict building regulations and safety standards. The main requirements are set out in Building Regulations Part K, which regulates the safety of structures. In addition, healthcare facilities must take into account the Equality Act 2010, which requires accessibility for people with disabilities.
Staircases must be designed to ensure safety for all users, including disabled patients. This includes requirements for step widths, stable and comfortable handrails, and compliance with maximum climbing heights. Steps should be provided with anti-slip surfaces to prevent injury.
Learn more about relevant building regulations for staircases in the UK
Personalised Staircase Installation Assistance in the UK
Do you require customised staircase installation solutions for a medical clinic or beauty salon? We are here to provide you with comprehensive assistance, including bespoke design layout, material selection, and full structural installation at your facility. V.P Stairs operate throughout the UK, assisting healthcare facilities in obtaining safe designs.
We take a professional approach, analysing your facility, target patient population, their requirements, and the overall interior of the clinic. You get a guarantee that the final design will meet your expectations. We are happy to provide you with a free consultation to answer all relevant questions. All you need to do is contact us in any convenient way. Get a custom staircase for your medical clinic at V.P Stairs!