Stair Tower & Access Tower Scaffolding in Kent & South East London
Temporary stair towers and scaffold access towers can provide safer, more convenient access between working levels on suitable construction, roofing, commercial and industrial projects. The arrangement is assessed according to the building, scaffold, work requirements, access route and project conditions.
- Over 34 years of scaffolding industry experience
- CISRS card-holding scaffolders
- Constructionline Gold registered
- Achilles accreditation
- £10m public liability insurance
- Free site surveys where required
- No-obligation quotations
What Is a Scaffold Stair Tower?
A scaffold stair tower is a temporary staircase structure that can be incorporated into a scaffolding arrangement to provide access between different working levels. Rather than relying solely on ladders, a stair tower can allow workers to move between ground level and scaffold platforms more conveniently where the project and site conditions make this appropriate.
Temporary Staircase Access
A stair tower provides a temporary staircase as part of the scaffold arrangement, giving access between working levels for the duration of the project.
Access Between Working Levels
Where a scaffold has multiple working levels, a stair tower can provide a planned route between them, reducing the need for repeated ladder use where appropriate.
Construction & Refurbishment Projects
Stair towers can be incorporated into scaffolding for construction, refurbishment, roofing and facade projects where the access requirements and site conditions make them suitable.
Larger Scaffolding Arrangements
On larger scaffold arrangements with multiple levels or extended hire periods, a stair tower may form part of the planned access arrangement.
Access Tower Scaffolding
Access towers can be incorporated into scaffolding and access arrangements to provide access to elevated working areas. The exact arrangement depends on the project, the building, the work scope and the site conditions.
- Access to elevated working areas on construction sites
- Refurbishment and facade projects
- Roofing and roof-level access
- Commercial and industrial buildings
- Larger sites with multiple working levels
- Temporary access requirements for the project duration
Stair Towers for Roofing & Construction
Roofers, builders, bricklayers, renderers and cladding contractors may benefit from temporary stair access where workers need repeated movement between ground level and scaffold working levels. The suitability of a stair tower depends on the project, the scaffold arrangement and the site.
Roofing Contractors
Where roofers need repeated access between ground level and roof-level scaffold platforms, a stair tower may form part of the access arrangement.
Builders & Main Contractors
On construction and refurbishment projects with multiple working levels, temporary stair access can be incorporated into the scaffold arrangement where appropriate.
Bricklayers & Renderers
For bricklaying and rendering projects involving multiple scaffold lifts, stair access may be incorporated where the project and site conditions suit it.
Cladding & Facade Contractors
On cladding and facade projects with extended hire periods and multiple working levels, stair access may form part of the scaffold arrangement.
See also: Scaffolding for Roofers, Builders Scaffold Kent, Scaffold for Bricklayers, Rendering Scaffolding, Cladding & Facade Scaffolding.
Commercial & Industrial Stair Towers
Access requirements on commercial and industrial sites can differ significantly from domestic projects. Multiple trades, extended programmes and occupied buildings all affect how access is planned and managed.
- Office buildings and commercial premises
- Retail units and shops
- Apartment blocks and flats
- Schools and educational buildings
- Care facilities and healthcare premises
- Warehouses and distribution centres
- Factories and industrial units
- Commercial developments and refurbishment projects
See also: Commercial Scaffolding and Industrial Scaffolding.
Stair Towers for Large Scaffolding Projects
On larger scaffold arrangements, a stair tower may form part of the overall access plan. The decision to incorporate a stair tower depends on the project requirements, the number of working levels, the programme and the site conditions.
- Multi-level scaffolding on larger buildings
- Commercial refurbishment and new-build projects
- Facade and cladding projects with extended programmes
- Roofing projects with multiple working levels
- Industrial maintenance and refurbishment
- Projects involving multiple trades working simultaneously
Safe Access & Egress
Planned access and egress are important considerations on scaffolding projects. A stair tower can provide a defined route between levels where the project and site conditions make this appropriate.
- Planned routes between scaffold levels
- Reducing reliance on ladders where a stair arrangement is appropriate
- Easier movement for workers between levels
- Access planning as part of the scaffold design
- Keeping access routes clear during the project
- Coordinating access with the scaffold arrangement
- Inspection and maintenance of access arrangements
Material Movement & Working Access
Stair towers primarily provide personnel access between scaffold levels. For larger material movement requirements — such as loading cladding panels, roofing materials or other bulk materials — separate loading bay arrangements may be more appropriate.
For scaffold loading bays and material access, see our Scaffold Loading Bays & Material Access page.
Public & Occupied Buildings
Where scaffolding is required on occupied buildings or in public areas, access arrangements must be planned around the site and the people using it. Schools, care facilities, offices, shops and apartment blocks all present specific access considerations.
- Schools and educational buildings
- Care facilities and healthcare premises
- Offices and commercial premises
- Shops and retail units
- Apartment blocks and occupied residential buildings
- Public buildings and civic premises
For pedestrian protection and public-area scaffolding, see our Pedestrian Protection & Gantry Scaffolding page.
Fire Escape Considerations
A temporary scaffold stair tower should not automatically be described or relied upon as a fire escape. If a temporary staircase is intended to form part of an emergency or fire escape route, the project requires additional assessment, design and compliance considerations appropriate to the building and its intended use. This is a matter for the relevant project team, building owner and appropriate specialists — not a standard scaffolding decision.
Difficult & Restricted Access
The suitability and arrangement of a stair tower or access tower depends on the actual site. Narrow access, restricted rear access, extensions, conservatories, garages and boundary walls all affect what is practical.
Narrow & Restricted Sites
Where site access is restricted, the scaffold and access arrangement is planned around the available space. Not every site can accommodate a stair tower.
Extensions & Outbuildings
Extensions, conservatories and garages affect the scaffold footprint and the available access routes. The arrangement is assessed around the actual site.
Commercial Sites
Commercial sites with limited space, active operations or coordination requirements are assessed individually. The access arrangement is planned around the site conditions.
New Builds, Extensions & Loft Conversions
Temporary access towers can form part of the wider scaffolding arrangement on new builds, extensions and loft conversions where the project and site conditions make this appropriate.
- New-build houses and developments
- House extensions and two-storey extensions
- Loft conversions and dormers
- Garage conversions and structural alterations
- Larger residential and commercial developments
See also: Scaffolding for Loft Conversions, Structural Steel & RSJ Scaffolding, Timber Frame Scaffolding, Builders Scaffold Kent.
Safety, Compliance & Accreditation
All scaffolding is erected by CISRS card-holding scaffolders. We hold Constructionline Gold registration and Achilles accreditation, and carry £10m public liability insurance. RAMS are provided where required.
- CISRS card-holding scaffolders on every job
- Constructionline Gold registered
- Achilles accreditation
- £10m public liability insurance
- RAMS provided where required
- Scaffold inspected and certified on handover
- TG20 guidance applied where applicable
- UK work-at-height requirements observed
How the Process Works
- 1
Contact us
Call or message us with details of the project and the access requirements.
- 2
Discuss the project
We discuss the building, the scaffold arrangement and the access requirements.
- 3
Review drawings or photos
Where available, drawings or photos help us understand the project before visiting.
- 4
Site survey where required
For more complex access situations, a site survey is the most reliable way to plan the arrangement.
- 5
Assess the requirements
We assess the building, scaffold and access requirements to determine the appropriate arrangement.
- 6
Determine suitability
We advise whether a stair tower or access tower is appropriate for the project and site.
- 7
No-obligation quotation
We provide a clear, no-obligation quotation for the required scaffolding and access arrangement.
- 8
Agree the programme
We agree the erection date and programme with the contractor or client.
- 9
Erect the scaffold
The scaffold and access arrangement is erected safely by our CISRS-qualified team.
- 10
Inspection and handover
The scaffold is inspected and handed over with the appropriate documentation.
- 11
Alterations if required
If the project changes, the scaffold and access arrangement can be adapted accordingly.
- 12
Dismantle on completion
Once the work is complete, we dismantle and remove the scaffold.
What Affects the Price?
Every stair tower and access tower project is different. The cost depends on the specific requirements of the building, the scaffold arrangement and the access. We provide a clear quotation after assessing the requirements.
- Building height and number of scaffold levels
- Stair tower height and configuration
- Number of working levels
- Access position and route
- Site restrictions and ground conditions
- Project duration and hire period
- Commercial versus domestic requirements
- Pedestrian or public interface
- Additional protection requirements
- Integration with existing scaffolding
- Alterations required during the project
Who We Work With
We work with a wide range of clients on stair tower and access tower projects across Kent and South East London.
- Homeowners
- Builders and main contractors
- Roofing contractors
- Bricklayers
- Developers
- Construction companies
- Commercial property managers
- Facilities managers
- Industrial contractors
- Refurbishment contractors
- Cladding contractors
- Rendering contractors
Areas Covered
We provide stair tower and access tower scaffolding across Kent and South East London, including Dartford, Swanley, Gravesend, Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Medway, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, Bromley, Bexley, Bexleyheath, Welling, Sidcup, Crayford, Erith, Chislehurst, Orpington, Beckenham, Swanscombe and surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Scaffolding Services
Depending on your project, you may also find these pages useful:
- Commercial ScaffoldingScaffolding for commercial buildings, offices and larger construction projects.
- Industrial ScaffoldingScaffolding for industrial buildings, warehouses and manufacturing facilities.
- Domestic ScaffoldingScaffolding for houses, extensions and domestic projects across Kent and South East London.
- Scaffolding HireScaffold hire for contractors and homeowners across Kent and South East London.
- Scaffolding for RoofersScaffolding designed for roofing contractors across Kent and South East London.
- Scaffold for BricklayersScaffolding for bricklayers and blocklayers on new builds, extensions and commercial projects.
- Scaffolding for Loft ConversionsScaffolding for loft conversions, dormers and roof alterations.
- Structural Steel & RSJ ScaffoldingScaffolding for structural steel and RSJ installation projects.
- Timber Frame ScaffoldingScaffolding for timber frame construction and erection.
- Barn, Oast House & Agricultural ScaffoldingScaffolding for barns, oast houses and agricultural buildings.
- HVAC, Plant & High-Level Equipment Access ScaffoldingScaffolding for HVAC, plant and high-level equipment access.
- Scaffold Loading Bays & Material AccessLoading bays and material access platforms for larger projects.
- Pedestrian Protection & Gantry ScaffoldingScaffolding with pedestrian protection for occupied commercial premises.
- Cladding & Facade ScaffoldingScaffolding for cladding installers and facade contractors.
- Edge ProtectionEdge protection systems for roofs and working at height.
- Design & CompliancePre-construction scaffolding design and compliance for complex projects.
- Builders Scaffold KentScaffolding for builders across Kent and South East London.
Need a Stair Tower or Access Tower?
Contact All Scaffolding Services Kent Ltd for a no-obligation quotation. Tell us about the project, the building and the access requirements.
Call Us
07956 491594