An example system in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes an opening assembly and a guard assembly installable in a floor above an enclosed region. The opening assembly is actuatable between an open configuration to provide access to the enclosed region, and a closed configuration in which the opening assembly provides a closed surface. A guard assembly is mounted to the opening assembly and actuatable independent of the opening assembly, between a retracted configuration flush with the closed surface of the opening assembly, and a deployed configuration to serve as a guard for the opening assembly.

The present invention relates to a prefabricated spiral staircase in which the heights between treads can be freely and finely adjusted, thus being conveniently assembled and installed at installation sites having different story heights.

The present invention relates to a prefabricated spiral staircase in which the heights between treads can be freely and finely adjusted, thus being conveniently assembled and installed at installation sites having different story heights.

Described herein are systems and methods of manufacturing a spiral staircase assembly for custom projects. A method may include coupling a plurality of stairs to a center column such that distances between adjacent stairs of the plurality of stairs deviates less than ½″ to meet code. A method may further include cutting the center column after coupling the plurality of stairs to the center column to form a first center column and a second center column. A method may further include welding a female column coupling to a first end of the first center column and welding a male column coupling to a first end of the second center column. The male column coupling is configured to couple to the female column coupling such that when the male column coupling is coupled to the female column coupling, distances between adjacent stairs of the plurality of stairs deviates less than ½″.

Described herein are systems and methods of manufacturing a spiral staircase assembly for custom projects. A method may include coupling a plurality of stairs to a center column such that distances between adjacent stairs of the plurality of stairs deviates less than ½″ to meet code. A method may further include cutting the center column after coupling the plurality of stairs to the center column to form a first center column and a second center column. A method may further include welding a female column coupling to a first end of the first center column and welding a male column coupling to a first end of the second center column. The male column coupling is configured to couple to the female column coupling such that when the male column coupling is coupled to the female column coupling, distances between adjacent stairs of the plurality of stairs deviates less than ½″.

A kit of parts for securing a plurality of fixtures to an elongate support member is described. The kit of parts comprises a plurality of attachment members. Each attachment member comprises an aperture for receiving the elongate support member and a fixing detail adapted to attach a fixture to the attachment member. The aperture is larger than a lateral dimension of the elongate support member to provide a gap between the attachment member and elongate support member when received in the aperture. The kit of parts also comprises a plurality of locking elements. Each locking element is adapted to be received in the aperture in the gap between the attachment member and the elongate support member to secure the attachment member to the elongate support member by friction. Further, each attachment member is adapted to engage an adjacent attachment member when secured to the elongate support member by at least one said locking element to form a hollow column secured around the elongate support member for supporting a plurality of fixtures.

A kit of parts for securing a plurality of fixtures to an elongate support member is described. The kit of parts comprises a plurality of attachment members. Each attachment member comprises an aperture for receiving the elongate support member and a fixing detail adapted to attach a fixture to the attachment member. The aperture is larger than a lateral dimension of the elongate support member to provide a gap between the attachment member and elongate support member when received in the aperture. The kit of parts also comprises a plurality of locking elements. Each locking element is adapted to be received in the aperture in the gap between the attachment member and the elongate support member to secure the attachment member to the elongate support member by friction. Further, each attachment member is adapted to engage an adjacent attachment member when secured to the elongate support member by at least one said locking element to form a hollow column secured around the elongate support member for supporting a plurality of fixtures.

A vertical escape structure comprises an escape housing disposed in a vertical orientation and mounted to a ground to maintain structural integrity in the vertical orientation against external flooding. The escape housing includes an interior which is sealed against water entry from exterior flooding and at least one of a staircase, a ladder, an elevator, or a lift disposed in the interior of the escape housing. The vertical escape structure further comprises a connecting walkway to connect the escape housing to a building. The escape housing has a smaller horizontal footprint than the building. The walkway is severable from the building by force without damaging the escape housing to cause water entry from the exterior flooding.

An improved folding stair comprising a sequence of steps (101), each rotably mounted to a structure (102) via axes (103) located and oriented to facilitate rotation between deployed and stowed states, such that the steps exhibit tread overhang (109) in their deployed state. The step width (105) exceeds the step rise (107). In other embodiments the axes are to one side of the steps. In other embodiments the angle of rotation between deployed and stowed states exceeds the arccosine of step-above thickness (104) over step rise. In other embodiments the movement from deployed to stowed state moves the steps from the traversal path. In other embodiments the axes are either skew to the deployed tread, or to the traversal path, or to both. Other embodiments include a means of coordinating the steps' folding motion.

A movable and reconfigurable staircase. The stairs can be configured as a straight stair, a circular stair, or a combination stair. The stairs can be placed in a stored configuration as well.