Fire Escape Staircases UK — Designed & Installed
Steel fire escape staircases engineered to BS 9991 and Approved Document B. From HMO fire escapes to commercial multi-landing access stairs — designed, manufactured and installed across the UK by Continox.
Our Range
Fire Escape Staircase Types
From single-storey residential fire escapes to multi-landing commercial access stairs, Continox designs and installs bespoke steel fire escape staircases for every building type. All installations are engineered to BS 9991 and fully compliant with Approved Document B.
Base Package
What's Included in the Price?
Every Continox fire escape staircase price covers the complete project from survey to installation — including all structural calculations and compliance documentation. No hidden extras.
Our Work
Fire Escape Portfolio
A selection of bespoke fire escape staircases designed, manufactured and installed by Continox across the UK.
Explore our full portfolio of 50+ completed fire escape installations across the UK.
View All ProjectsHow It Works
From Enquiry to Installation
A simple, transparent process — from your first enquiry to a compliant, installed fire escape staircase.
Ready to start your fire escape project? Free quote within 24 hours.
Compliance & Standards
Fire Escape Staircase Building Regulations UK
Every Continox fire escape staircase is designed and installed in full compliance with UK building regulations and British Standards — protecting you, your tenants and your building. Our engineering team manages all compliance documentation as standard. For full staircase dimension requirements see our UK Staircase Building Regulations guide, and for balustrade specifications our Glass Balustrade Regulations guide.
Key Technical Requirements
| Requirement | Dimension |
|---|---|
| Min clear width | 1000mm |
| Min rise (per step) | 150mm |
| Max rise (per step) | 220mm |
| Min going (tread depth) | 220mm |
| Max pitch | 42° |
| Min headroom | 2000mm |
| Handrail height | 900–1000mm |
| Balustrade height | 1100mm |
| Max balustrade opening | 100mm sphere |
| Tread surface | Non-slip required |
Source: Approved Document K (2013) · Approved Document B · BS 9991
Fire Escape Staircases UK
Bespoke Fire Escape Staircases – Supply & Installation Across the UK
What Is a Fire Escape Staircase?
A fire escape staircase is an external or internal staircase that provides a means of escape from a building in the event of a fire. Unlike a standard access staircase, a fire escape must comply with specific regulations under Approved Document B and, for residential buildings, BS 9991 — covering minimum widths, materials, enclosure, handrails and accessibility.
In the UK, fire escape staircases are most commonly required on HMOs (houses in multiple occupation), apartment buildings, commercial premises, hotels and warehouses where the only means of escape from upper floors passes through a fire risk area. Building Control will specify whether a fire escape is required as part of any change of use, loft conversion or new build application.
Why Choose a Steel Fire Escape?
Steel is the material of choice for UK fire escape staircases for three reasons: structural performance, durability and compliance. Steel maintains its structural integrity at temperatures where timber would fail — making it the preferred specification under Approved Document B for external means of escape.
At Continox, all fire escape staircases are fabricated from structural grade S275 or S355 steel, hot-dip galvanised or powder-coated to BS EN ISO 1461 for corrosion protection. Open mesh or perforated steel treads provide the non-slip surface required by Part K of the Building Regulations. Every installation is UKCA marked and supplied with a Declaration of Performance.
Fire Escape Staircases for HMOs & Residential Buildings
Houses in multiple occupation represent the most common application for external fire escape staircases in the UK residential sector. Under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and guidance from BS 9991, HMOs must provide adequate means of escape that does not rely solely on internal corridors or shared areas where fire risk is highest. An external steel fire escape provides a compliant secondary means of escape — typically from first and second floor windows or doors onto a landing, with a staircase descending to ground level.
Continox works with HMO landlords, letting agents, managing agents and local authority housing officers across the UK to specify, supply and install compliant fire escape solutions for existing and new HMO conversions. We understand the urgency that often comes with HMO licensing applications and can typically survey, design, manufacture and install within 4–6 weeks.
Commercial Fire Escape Staircases
Commercial buildings — offices, warehouses, hotels, care homes, educational facilities and retail units — are subject to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which requires the responsible person to carry out a fire risk assessment and ensure adequate means of escape for all occupants. Where a building has multiple floors or a high occupancy density, an external fire escape staircase is frequently the most practical and cost-effective solution for providing a secondary means of escape.
Continox designs commercial fire escape staircases to Approved Document B Volume 2 (Buildings other than dwellings) with minimum 1000mm clear width, continuous handrails on both sides, non-slip open grating treads and landings at each level. All structural steelwork is fabricated to BS EN 1090 Execution Class 2 with UKCA marking and full documentation.
Fire Escape Staircase Cost UK
The cost of a fire escape staircase in the UK depends on the number of storeys, width, material finish and fixing substrate. A straightforward single-storey residential fire escape typically starts from £3,500 excl. VAT, while a multi-storey commercial installation can range from £8,000 to £20,000+ depending on specification. All Continox prices include design, structural calculations, manufacture, galvanising or powder coating, delivery and installation by our in-house team. See our full external staircase range for more pricing information.
Service Coverage
Fire Escape Staircase Installation Across the UK
Where We Work
Continox designs, manufactures and installs bespoke fire escape staircases across the South of England and beyond. Based in Hampshire, our team regularly works on residential and commercial fire escape projects throughout London, Surrey, Berkshire, Dorset, Sussex, Kent, Wiltshire, Somerset and Essex.
Whether you're a landlord in Surrey requiring an HMO fire escape, a property manager in London specifying a compliant means of escape for a commercial conversion, or a developer in West Sussex — we provide the same high standard of engineering and installation wherever your project is located.
All fire escape projects include a free on-site survey, structural calculations, CAD drawings, UKCA-marked manufacture and professional installation by our in-house team. We never use subcontractors.
Fire Escape Staircase FAQ
Everything you need to know about fire escape staircases — costs, regulations, materials and timelines.
Our Range
