The Key Components of Industrial Stair Safety

Humans have been climbing stairs for several thousand years, and they’ve been tripping and stumbling on them for just as long. Stairs seem so easy, yet missteps happen all the time. In an industrial setting, an accident on stair towers or stairways can be devastating. Fortunately, ReadyStair pre-engineered stairs and stair towers have everything you need to make sure your stairs are as safe as possible.

Stairways and stair towers look like simple structures, but the construction must be precise. Indeed, the list of OSHA stair standards for fixed industrial stairs take up multiple sections. To meet OSHA requirements and maximize safety, ReadyStair solutions incorporate all the key components of industrial stair safety:

Precision design and construction
From degrees of riser height to tread width, OSHA has strict guidelines for industrial stairs. ReadyStair stairs and stair towers meet all the requirements for stair width between vertical barriers, tread depth, riser height and tread nosing. Plus, all ReadyStair components are designed for easy installation with ordinary tools, so maintaining the precision specs during construction is a breeze.

Strength
OSHA stair standards require a design able to carry a load five times greater than the anticipated load, with a minimum load of 1,000 pounds. Guardrails and handrails must be capable of withstanding a minimum of 200 pounds of pressure applied from any direction at any point along the rails. Because all ReadyStair materials, which include ReadyRail handrails and guardrails, are made of fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP), you can rest assured that your ReadyStair system will meet or exceed all strength requirements.

Slip resistance
OSHA 1926.1052(a)(7) gets right to the point: “Slippery conditions on stairways shall be eliminated before the stairways are used to reach other levels.” ReadyStair stair towers and stairways have anti-slip surfaces built into every stair tread for safety and compliance.

Proper railings and landings
As mentioned above, there are specific outward pressure requirements for guardrails and handrails. There are also height and spacing guidelines, requirements for landing depth, and still other landing requirements when the stairway has a door or gate. In addition to utilizing ReadyRail handrails and guardrails, ReadyStair stair towers also feature ReadyPlatform materials to form landings. The combination ensures that you’ll meet all OSHA stair landing requirements, and your railings will also meet all IBC guidelines.

Beyond the Requirements

Bedford has a long, proven history of incorporating safety elements into stairs and stair towers. In addition to meeting the OSHA requirements, ReadyStair systems include fire-retardant resins. Unlike metal, they don’t conduct electricity and are impact resistant. They also have low thermal conductivity, reducing expansion and contraction so your industrial stairs remain stable.

ReadyStair also gives you versatility to meet almost every design challenge. ReadyStair towers are made for easy installation, with a standardized footprint rising in 6-foot increments between landings. When needed, a short stretch of up or down stairs is provided for the final transition at the top. ReadyStair sections are also used in conjunction with ReadyPlatform materials to meet any configuration need.

ReadyStair FAQs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help ensure you install your ReadyStair stair towers and stairways with confidence.

What is the difference between a stairway and a stair tower?
A stairway is a single flight of stairs between floors. In industrial applications, a stairway may also rise up to a platform or walkway. A stair tower is a fixed structure (as opposed to temporary scaffolding) that consists of more than one flight of stairs, usually with a landing to pass from one level to the next. ReadyStair provides solutions for both.

What is the footprint of ReadyStair prefabricated stair towers?
ReadyStair stair towers fit in a standard 7' 6" x 12' nominal footprint, rising in 6-foot increments between landings. When needed, a short stretch of up or down stairs is provided for the final transition at the top.

What applications use stair towers?
ReadyStair industrial stair towers are used in a wide range of applications to provide access to roofs, equipment, tanks, controls and more. They can be found inside and outside of power generation facilities, cooling towers, industrial plants, oil and gas refineries, warehouses, food and beverage facilities, and much more.

Here to Help

Our knowledgeable team has decades of industrial stairway and stair experience, so don’t hesitate to reach out with any ReadyStair questions, request a quote, or call 814-623-8125 to discuss your project.