OPERATION

Preventing stair falls

The standard width of a barrier is 1000mm and the overall installation depth of the barrier when open is approx. 95mm. Thus, in open position the barrier is, in most cases, aligned with the handrail and practically does not reduce the passage width.

The Sicuratec stair barrier has two parallel bars: one placed at torso level (approx. 900mm above the ground) and another at foot level (approx. 100mm). This design has been especially thought for protecting both wheelchair and rollator users. As well as persons with limited daily living skills such as dementia patients who risk accidental access to stairs.
The function of the lower bar is, namely, to prevent users of wheelchairs or wheeled walkers from sliding underneath the barrier.

Smooth opening and automatic closing for daily use

Assisted by a spring mechanism, the barrier can easily be opened by lifting the upper bar by hand or elbow or the lower bar by foot. Since both bars are mechanically connected they open and close in parallel and synchronously. As soon as the user has passed the bars drop gently and silently back into a horizontal position within 15 seconds.

The barrier closes automatically but does not lock itself.

The barrier bars are made of stainless steel. Standard cover and base plate are powder-coated DB 703 (anthracite steel glimmer) with fine structure.

The stair barrier available widths range from 750 to 1200mm and assembly sets are available for left- or right-hand installation or fitting with stand-alone pillar.

Advantages of the Functionality

During our years-long experience with the stair barrier, we have been often asked by customers to replace existing safety devices such as gates, bollards and ropes used to secure staircase landings but primarily not designed for this purpose. This is, for example, the case of gates opening towards the stairs. The use of such gates can involve considerable risks because the person climbing the stairs has to go few steps backwards in order to open the gate.

Meanwhile, the use of gates opening towards the landing is also not without risk. In case of fire, those gates can become an obstacle to escape if the crowd presses against them. The bollard can protect wheelchair users from stair falls but is not efficient at protecting pedestrians.
This is the reason why such installations are generally banned by the authorities in charge of fire safety.

The Sicuratec stair barrier has been specifically developed to solve the above-mentioned problems. The two parallel bars system protects both wheelchair users and handicapped pedestrians. Furthermore, due to its flat fixtures and vertical opening the stair barrier is no obstruction to escape routes. Even if escaping crowds are pressing forward, the barrier can easily be opened by simply raising the bars, freeing the escape route in a matter of seconds and preventing the risk of pile-ups.

Thus, our product represents a good alternative to the use of bollards or gates as staircase safety measure in facilities hosting people with different mental and/or physical disabilities.

Supporting accessories for your stair barrier:

Stand-alone pillar - allows self-supporting installation of the barrier on the ground when wall mounting is not possible.

 

Fixed-wing - recommended for very wide staircases (width above 1,2 m)

 

Electric spindle drive - for automatic opening mechanism, connected to on-site smoke detectors and fire alarm system or independent control unit for emergency opening

 

Lock - device without power supply used to keep the barrier open (e.g. for transportation purposes).