INDUSTRIAL STAIRWAYS
Industrial stairs are what you install when a ladder stops making sense. If people carry tools or parts up to a mezzanine, check a tank gauge every shift, or move between platforms all day, stairs are safer and far less tiring to climb than a ladder. The catch: stair specs must follow one of two different rule sets, depending on who's using them. Get that wrong, and you'll end up tearing it out and starting over. At Platforms and Ladders, we'll help you match the slope, width, and rail for your industrial stairway to the job it needs to do.
OSHA Sets the Floor, the Building Code Sets the Rest
OSHA's standard stair rules are the baseline for anything in a work area. Standard stairs run between 30 and 50 degrees from horizontal, risers cap at 9.5 inches, treads must be at least 9.5 inches deep, and the stair needs at least 22 inches of width between the handrails. Those are minimums, not targets; a stair built to these numbers will feel steep to anyone making the trip more than a couple times a day. All of our industrial stairways are OSHA compliant.
Industrial Stairways may be ideal for the following applications:
Mezzanines
Lofts
Elevated Platforms
Ability to adjust controls and/or read gauges
Save time and worker energy
In places where stairs serve the public or form part of a building's exit path, building code takes over, and the numbers get shallower and less steep than OSHA allows. That's why IBC-compliant industrial stairways are a separate category. Answer these questions to decide which way you should go:
Who climbs it: employees only or the public?
Is it part of the building's exit path?
How many trips per shift, and what gets carried up?
Will it be used indoors, outdoors, or in wash-down conditions?
How much floor space can we afford to give up?
The Specs Worth Pinning Down First
A stair can meet code and still be the wrong kind. These details decide how industrial metal stairs will work once they're bolted down.
Slope and Footprint
A shallower stair is easier to climb and eats more floor. Standard stairs around 36 degrees are comfortable for repeat trips. Access stairways at 57 or 60 degrees trade that comfort for a much smaller footprint, and alternating tread stairs go steeper still at 50 to 70 degrees, which is exactly why OSHA allows them only when a standard stair isn't feasible.
Tread, Riser, and Rail Setup
Most of our stairways have 10 to 14 inches of tread depth with risers between 6 and 7.5 inches, which is more generous than the OSHA minimum. Any flight with at least three treads and four risers needs stair rails and handrails. Handrails sit 30 to 38 inches above the leading edge of the tread. A stair rail top rail installed today has to reach 42 inches unless it doubles as the handrail, which puts it at 36 to 38 inches.
Material and Where It Lives
Industrial metal stairs come down to three material choices:
Painted commercial steel stairs are the least expensive and fine indoors.
Aluminum handles outdoor exposure without a paint schedule and weighs less.
Stainless is what you spec for wash-down areas, and anywhere chemicals or constant moisture would eat through a painted finish.
Safety
Each of the products at PlatformsandLadders.com conform to a high standard of safety. Most of our industrial stairways have a tread depth that is between 10 and 14 inches with risers between 6 and 7.5 inches in height to comply with OSHA standards. In addition, all of our stairs are generally wider than 22 inches and come with handrails, if appropriate. The treads are fixed with grating or similar rough surfaces to prevent slips and falls. Preventing injuries in the workplace is one of our main concerns, and we stand behind the safety of each of our products. Every product should be thoroughly checked upon installation and checked often to ensure continued safety.
Durability
The durability of each of our products is guaranteed. Some stairs are built to last even in rigorous and harsh environments. Our IBC compliant stairways, in particular, are built for withstanding constant use. When used in an appropriate environment, our stairs require little to no maintenance while still functioning well and looking good for many years.
Customization
We offer customized stairway systems to fit your exact needs. After contacting us, you will be assigned a project manager who will combine passion with the expertise to craft a stairway that perfectly caters to your space. You will be asked to provide information about your space, needs, and local building requirements, after which the materials and design will be recommended. Custom stairways are available in any of our available materials and we pride ourselves on fast delivery so that our customers do not have to wait to improve their businesses.
Products
We offer many different products to choose from, each of which has a unique function and can add value to your business. Our industrial stairway comes in 36 Degrees and 36.4 Degrees varieties to fit different needs. These stairways are all welded, providing strength and structural integrity. They have a Grip Strut non-slip tread and can be customized to fit your space. Mounting brackets make them easy to install and remove as needed.
Our retractable stairway is perfect for mezzanines or any other area that needs a retractable option. The stairway can easily be put into place and then put away when more space is needed. A jack makes it simple for anyone to put the stairs in and out. The system comes with handrails and features steel serrated treads. Our Pivotal Stairs are another popular option for work areas with limited space. They are at a 70 degree angle when extended, and can be retracted to 90 degrees when needed. They can be fitted with optional handrails for extra security.
Other popular options include our access stairways which are available in 60 Degrees, 57 Degrees, 50 Degrees, and our Industrial varieties. These welded options provide access to tall areas without taking up precious floor space. The slim stairways function more like a ladder and provide more options for the use of the space. The Industrial Access Stairway can support up to 450 pounds and has a sturdy steel build. We also supply businesses with a variety of other options including adjustable industrial steps, two step access platforms, and a variety of industrial stairway platforms to fit every staircase and every need.
Why Buy Your Industrial Stairs From Platforms and Ladders
Platforms and Ladders has been in the industrial equipment business since 2014. Here's what you can expect:
We start with how you'll use it. Before anyone quotes a price, we'll ask how the stair will be used on the job.
Stock options cover most jobs. Stairway platforms, two-step access units, modular stairways, and retractable stairways are all available off the shelf, including an IBC-compliant line when building code applies.
Custom builds for odd fits. If a stair needs to land on an uneven elevation or fit an existing opening, we'll build it from your dimensions, with a drawing you approve before fabrication starts.
Straightforward pricing. We price-match identical items and shop freight rates.
Government-ready. Order through GSA contract 47QSWA22D006L under CAGE code 80DC4.
Supplier diversity. We're MBE-certified.
Call (888) 802-3651 or contact us online with your floor-to-floor height and the space you have to work with, and someone will spec the stair and quote the freight. We also carry fixed ladders for permanent access where a stair won't fit and crossover ladders for getting over conveyor and pipe runs.
Industrial Stairs FAQs
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Standard stairs must be between 30 and 50 degrees from horizontal. Ship stairs and alternating tread stairs may run 50 to 70 degrees, but they are not a free substitution. OSHA treats standard stairs as the default for regular access between levels, and the employer must show that a standard stair isn't feasible before using a spiral, ship, or alternating tread design. That means documenting the space constraint.
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Each flight has at least three treads and four risers. Handrails go 30 to 38 inches above the leading edge of the tread. A stair rail system installed on or after January 17, 2017, needs a top rail at least 42 inches from the leading edge, and that top rail can only double as the handrail if it sits between 36 and 38 inches. Ship stairs and alternating tread stairs need handrails on both sides. Separately, anyone exposed to an open edge on a stair landing 4 feet or more above the level below needs a guardrail or stair rail.
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OSHA governs stairs inside working areas that the public doesn't use, and it permits steeper slopes and shallower treads. The building code governs stairs used by the public or serving as part of a building's means of egress, and it requires shorter risers and deeper treads, creating a longer, gentler stair that takes up more floor space. If your stair is anywhere near an exit path or a space the public reaches, confirm the requirement with your local building official before ordering.
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At least five times the anticipated live load, and never less than a 1,000-pound concentrated load, whichever is greater. Two other numbers get missed more often than the load rating: vertical clearance has to be at least 6 feet 8 inches measured from the leading edge of the tread, and landings need at least 30 inches of depth in the direction of travel. Riser height and tread depth must also be uniform between landings, which is where field-modified stairs tend to fall out of compliance.