Adult Safety Stair Gate
This older client who lives alone had previously suddenly passed out without warning in her first-floor flat. The cause has not been determined, and she is very concerned that if it were to happen again while she is near the top of her straight staircase down to her front door, she could fall all the way down. The top of the stairs is a thoroughfare for the whole flat and cannot be avoided. It was requested that a stair gate be constructed to prevent the client falling down the stairs, even if she fell against it.
The Challenge
The client wanted to be able to keep the gate shut all the time she is in the flat, and to feel that the gate would be strong and high enough to prevent her falling down the stairs even if she passed out right by the gate.
The solution
Maker Adrian Duckett constructed a rectangular gate frame in 68 x 27 mm PAR softwood, with glued and dowelled joints, and vertical broom-handle dowels set at 100mm intervals. Rising butt hinges were inset at the pillar side.
Maker Clive Cassey fashioned a gate pillar using 91 x 27 mm PAR softwood, with a timber bracket to pick up on the existing wall-mounted hand-rail using screws. The corresponding hinge halves fitted to the edge.
A 75 mm step-cranked sliding bolt was fitted to the top of the gate on the stair side adjacent to the newel post. A self-adhesive cushion pad was fitted to reduce noise when the gate closes. The client was briefed that the sliding bolt must be used when children are present (to prevent accidental opening) but must be unused at all other times, for ease of egress in emergencies.
The benefit
The client has much more confidence moving around her flat without worrying about falling down her stairs. She was very pleased, particularly as the gate was styled and painted to reasonably match the existing bannisters made by her late husband.
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