FAQ
There are three main differences between Stairs and Ladders:
- Angle: Stairs have an angle range of 50-60 degrees, while Ladders have a steeper angle range of 60-70 degrees.
- Handrail Mechanism: Stairs come with a bi-folding handrail mechanism and handrail, providing added safety and convenience. Ladders do not include this feature by default, though an optional affixed stand-off aluminium handrail is available for Ladders.
- Tread Depth: Stair treads are 168mm/6.614” deep, whereas Ladder treads are 142mm/5.59” deep. This difference in tread depth remains constant.
The basic Bamboo structure or body and the folding function is the same for both Stairs and Ladders.
The choice between a Stair and a Ladder depends on your specific situation and available space. For instance, if you have limited space along the floor/wall where the product will be placed, a Ladder with a steeper angle, fewer treads, and a shorter run may be the better option. On the other hand, if you have more room available, you can opt for a lower angle and choose the Stair version. Keep in mind that Stairs are generally more expensive due to their lower angle, longer stringer, more treads, and patented bi-folding handrail mechanism and rail.
The Ladder is a simplified version of the Stair, designed to replace aluminium mobile ladders, folding attic ladders, and some staircases. Ladders consist solely of the Bamboo folding structure and spring mechanism. While the standard version does not include a handrail, you can choose between 2 fixed handrails - short bracket or long bracket as an optional feature. Similar to the Stairs, the Ladders are custom-sized for your specific application, with heights ranging between 1.2 and 3.7 meters and varying tread rise options to suit different locations and budgets. Pricing depends on the height, features, and finish of the product.
Both the Ladders and Hybrid Stairs are meticulously constructed with close adherence to the guidelines set forth by 'AS 1657-4.2.1. Fixed platforms, walkways, and ladders' and NCC 3.9.1.2.
Although both versions are classified as ladders, it's important to note that the stair version is equipped with a handrail and optional gate, and can achieve tread rise and run measurements similar to traditional stair requirements.
However, due to their innovative side-folding design mechanisms and compact functionality, these products represent a unique offering not entirely covered by existing standardizations. As a result, our team is continuously working to align with the evolving testing legislation, ensuring that our Folding Ladders and Folding Stairs meet the highest safety and quality standards.
Our Ladder and Stair products are subjected to rigorous in-house testing to ensure safety and performance.
The Ladder has been tested to a Safe Working Load (SWL) of 175 kg, while the Stair has been tested to an SWL of 200 kg.
As part of our quality assurance process, we conduct a specialized "Breaking Test Video" internally. In this test, we place incremental weight on a single tread in the middle of the Ladder and observe the results. During our latest Breaking Test, the testing equipment reached its limit at 1020 kg (2250 lbs), but notably, the tread and ladder itself remained intact.
This demonstrates the remarkable strength and resilience of our products.
One of the key reasons behind the exceptional durability of our products is the material we use: Bamboo. We exclusively choose Bamboo due to its incredibly high tensile strength, making it an ideal choice for ensuring the longevity and reliability of our Ladder and Stair offerings.
Our products are crafted using specially engineered and sustainably sourced, FSC Certified bamboo composite ply boards. This material offers a unique combination of exceptional tensile strength, flexibility, lightweight properties, and a stunning aesthetic appeal, making it unparalleled in terms of sustainability. When it comes to comparing organic materials, nothing can rival bamboo across all these aspects!
Moreover, all the metal components utilized in our products are made from non-ferrous metals, ensuring they are rust-resistant, just like the materials used in boat building and design. This dedication to quality and durability ensures that our products not only showcase the best of bamboo's natural advantages but also maintain their integrity over time.
We offer 2 finishes:
1) Sealed = a clear polyurethane sealer is applied to the raw bamboo to prevent stains from finger/footprints, spills etc.
2) Stained & Sealed = a colour of your choice from our chart below, plus a clear protective polyurethane top coat. PLEASE NOTE: colour variations may occur since it is applied to a natural material.
* Sealed Bamboo is free of charge.
** Multiple coats of stain are required for finishes like WHITE and JAPAN BLACK, which incur additional costs due to the extra work involved. As a result, these options are priced higher.
*** We very rarely deliver products in an unsealed/raw state, only upon special request, if customer plans to stain and seal themselves to match their interior colours, we will have to get this in writing.
**** IMPORTANT: Please be aware that there may be colour variations as the application is done on a natural material.
In addition to the automatic compacting handrail and optional Gate available on our Stairs, we provide highly effective Top and Bottom Locks for all our products to enhance security.
The Top Lock is designed to secure the product in the Open/Unfolded position, preventing it from being folded up against the wall. This integrated lock is operated by a latch, ensuring a simple yet reliable locking mechanism.
On the other hand, our Bottom Lock allows you to lock the product in the Closed/Folded position against the wall. It comes with a convenient "Key" that can be safely stored away until needed, offering you peace of mind knowing your product is securely stowed.
Furthermore, we prioritize safety by applying a special Anti-Slip coating to all treads, providing a P4 & P5 rating. This coating ensures superior traction, reducing the risk of slipping and enhancing overall user safety.
Our Stair & Ladder range comes in 2 different widths:
A: The original Wide Version (basic structure): 715mm wide
B: Our new Narrow Version (basic structure): 575mm wide.
However, for our Stairs you must take in consideration the handrail mechanism, which has a small lever arm that sticks out sideways, adding another 78mm to the overall product width. Resulting in 793mm overall width (for wide version Stairs) and 653mm (for narrow version) at the 2 points of mechanism attachment.
These widths cannot be altered, we are fixed on these two widths at this stage of business development on a worldwide scale. Also, the stair and ladder treads are the only standard parts that we can mass produce and stock in these otherwise fully customisable products.
Stair tread dimensions: Wide = 165mm x 700mm x 25mm,
Narrow = 165mm x 560mm x 25mm
Ladder tread dimensions: Wide = 139mm x 700mm x 25mm,
Narrow = 139mm x 560mm x 25mm
Our products are very versatile and can be customized to help you access many different areas, for example you want to replace a pull down ladder to reach your attic through a ceiling hole, a roof top terrace through an existing roof hatch, a mezzanine bedroom or office level, or maybe just a storage area too high to reach in a garage, really the only limit is your imagination.
The Stair & Ladder range was originally designed for outdoor use, utilizing non-ferrous metals to prevent rust and corrosion. However, due to popular demand, our products have found a significant market for indoor applications as well. Regardless we have still maintained the same level of high quality components.
To make the products suitable for outdoor use, we simply incorporate a UV and water-resistant polyurethane sealer. This sealer provides an extra layer of protection, ensuring the durability of our products even in outdoor environments with potential exposure to sunlight and moisture.
Rest assured that the addition of the sealer does not compromise the quality or functionality of our products. It simply adapts them to meet the specific needs of indoor installations, making them resistant to rust and corrosion while maintaining their structural integrity.
Site specific fitting and installation is recommended to be undertaken by qualified professionals i.e. most builders, carpenters etc. but due to the simplicity of the product, most any competent handy person can install without any infrastructure modifications or special tools within a few hours. These products are generally shipped in a disassembled package to reduce freight costs and require assembly at location. Installation is carried out with assistance of a detailed construction manual; an assembly video link can also be provided upon request.
We also offer delivery and installation by us – Bcompact, if you live within a certain distance from our facility, charges apply according to distance of location and size of product.
These products are all counterbalanced with a simple spring mechanism so the act of opening and closing can be achieved by both the young and the elderly. With children, it can be assumed that they are strong and large enough in their teens to be able to use all variants without restriction. Each piece is balanced to be almost weightless once installed. Both can be operated from the ground or from the landing.
For the Stair one uses the movement of the handrail to open and close the stair and safety gate from the landing or the ground and like the ladder, you can use the moving stringer to open and close the unit from the ground or the top landing.
Absolutely! We provide multiple options for you to view our products before making a purchase. You can visit our Stair display at a Sydney Design Store in Rosebery called 'Workshopped' where you'll have the opportunity to see and test the item up close.
Additionally, if you prefer a more in-depth experience, you can schedule an appointment to visit our factory located on the Central Coast of NSW, Australia.
Alternatively, we understand that some customers may prefer to see the product in a real-world setting. In such cases, we can arrange a home viewing upon special request. We've been fortunate to have incredibly kind and satisfied customers in the past who are happy to showcase their purchased stair/ladder, allowing you to witness the product in a practical context.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to us, and we'll be delighted to assist you in arranging a viewing option that suits your preferences.
Products are Australian made and we ship worldwide via DHL Express (Air) in approx. 8 - 10 business days after your product has been produced.
We offer flat rate shipping to many countries around the world.
If you are local, we offer flat rate courier delivery to our local customers here in Australia.
If you are even more local, you are very welcome to pick up your Stair/Ladder from our factory on the Central Coast of NSW.
In order for us to assess your individual building project effectively, we require the following details along with your quote request form:
- Dimensions
Please provide the measurements of the space where you intend to install the staircase or ladder.
- Images, Plans, or Sketches
We appreciate if you can share pictures, plans, or sketches of the installation space. This will enable us to better understand the layout and specific requirements of your project.
You can include up to three images with your quote request form. Ensure the files are in JPEG format and do not exceed 4MB each.
To initiate the process and get a personalized quote, kindly visit our website at: https://www.bcompact.com/quote
Once we receive your complete quote request, our team of experts will carefully review the information provided and create a customized design tailored to your needs. We believe in delivering top-notch solutions that perfectly complement your space and meet your expectations. Thank you for considering us for your staircase or ladder installation. We look forward to assisting you with your project!
Once you are satisfied with your customized quote and all necessary details have been discussed and finalized (this process may involve a few email exchanges or phone/video calls), we will kindly request a minimum 50% deposit from you. We offer various convenient payment methods, including credit card, bank transfer and WISE account transfer.
Upon receipt of your funds, you will receive an email confirming your order. The next step involves the approval of some Technical Drawings, after which the production phase commences.
Once your custom stair/ladder is completed and securely packed, we will issue a balance invoice. Upon settling the balance payment, we will promptly arrange for the delivery of your order.
Our current lead times for order processing typically range from 5 to 10 weeks, contingent on the number of orders in our production queue.
Once you place an order, we will promptly inform you of your estimated lead time. Rest assured, we prioritize processing your order as swiftly as possible. Throughout the production process, we will keep you well-informed and updated. In the rare event of any postponed delivery dates, we will notify you promptly. For peace of mind, we encourage you to email us periodically to check the status of your order. Your satisfaction is our top priority.
Upon receiving your product, we ask you to check all components for damage or defects before installation. We are unable to take back stairs or ladders once they have been installed if there is no technical defect.
We would ask you to contact us immediately, if parts are missing or if there is damage to your package or any stair or ladder parts. Please take several photos and document your findings and email us ASAP.
Of course, one of our friendly staff members will answer any questions you might have, please fill out our contact form or send your query to info@bcompact.com
