Special Structures
Steel Staircases, Ladders and Handrails for PEB
Definition: Staircases, ladders and handrails are the steel access and guarding elements of a pre-engineered building, providing safe vertical movement between floor levels, mezzanines, platforms and roofs, and protecting people from falls at open edges, as required by the applicable building and safety codes.
Key facts
- Stair geometry, landing sizes, handrail heights and guard openings are set by the governing building code.
- Industrial access stairs and public egress stairs often have different rules.
- Fixed ladders above a certain height may require cages or fall-arrest systems under local safety rules.
- Treads are commonly open grating, chequer plate or pans filled with concrete.
- Hot-dip galvanizing is widely used for external and wet-area access steel.
Role in the structure
Stairs carry occupant and maintenance loads through stringers to landings, floor beams and foundations. Ladders give access where space or frequency of use does not justify a stair. Handrails and guardrails resist the horizontal and vertical loads specified by code at open edges of floors, stairs, platforms and catwalks, transferring them into the supporting structure through posts and base connections.
Types of stairs used in steel buildings
Straight-flight stairs with intermediate landings are the most common choice for mezzanine access. Dog-leg or switchback stairs save floor space by turning back on themselves, and spiral stairs suit tight spaces with light use.
Stringers are usually channels, flat bars or folded plate, with treads bolted or welded between them. For office mezzanines, concrete-filled pan treads give a solid feel and accept floor finishes, while grating treads suit industrial and external stairs because they drain and resist slipping.
Ladders for roofs, platforms and cranes
Fixed steel ladders give access to roofs, crane walkways and equipment platforms where a stair is not practical. They are fixed to the building frame or wall girts with brackets designed for the ladder loads.
Taller ladders typically require safety cages, rest platforms or a fall-arrest rail, and access openings at the top need self-closing gates or offset landings. The exact requirements vary between jurisdictions and should be confirmed with the local safety authority.
Handrails, guardrails and toe boards
A handrail is the graspable rail people hold while using a stair, and a guardrail is the barrier that prevents falls from an edge. On many stairs and platforms one system performs both roles.
Guardrails generally include a top rail, intermediate rails or infill and, on working platforms, a toe board to stop tools falling. Post spacing, base fixings and the strength of the supporting edge member are checked for the code-specified loads.
Materials & coatings
- Structural steel channels, plates and flats for stringers and landings
- Galvanized steel grating, chequer plate or pan treads with concrete fill
- Steel tube, pipe or solid bar handrails and guardrail posts
- Hot-dip galvanizing, powder coating or paint systems to suit the environment
Design considerations
- Confirm whether the stair is an egress stair or an industrial access stair under the code.
- Set riser, going, width, headroom and landing sizes to the governing code.
- Design guardrails and handrails for the code-specified line and point loads.
- Check the supporting beam or slab edge for guardrail post reactions.
- Provide slip-resistant nosings and adequate lighting at stairs.
- Coordinate stair openings in mezzanine floors with beam layout.
Fabrication
- Stringers and landings are fabricated with bolted connections to the mezzanine or platform framing.
- Handrail sections are shop-welded and ground smooth where people grip them.
- Galvanizing is applied after fabrication, with vent holes provided in hollow sections.
- Each assembly is marked to match the access layout drawing.
Erection
- Install stairs after the supporting floor or platform framing is complete.
- Fix stair bases to the slab or footing with the specified anchors.
- Fit guardrails at open edges as soon as possible to protect workers.
- Touch up damaged coatings with a compatible repair system.
Inspection & quality
- Measure risers and goings to confirm they are uniform and within code limits.
- Check handrail heights, guard openings and gate operation.
- Verify all bolts, anchors and welds at posts and stringer supports.
- Inspect coatings, treads and nosings for damage before handover.
What to include in your RFQ
- Number, location and type of stairs and ladders.
- Floor-to-floor heights and required stair widths.
- Use: egress, office access or industrial maintenance access.
- Tread type and finish, and handrail profile.
- Applicable building code and local safety rules for ladders.
3D model & IFC of this component
Rotate the model, isolate the component and download its IFC4 file for your BIM coordination model.
IFC entity: IfcStair + IfcRailing. Illustrative geometry for coordination and learning. Final member sizes come from the project design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a stair to a storage mezzanine treated as an egress stair?
It depends on the occupancy and the code. Many codes treat any stair serving an occupied floor as part of the escape route, so the classification should be confirmed early.
Should external stairs be galvanized?
Hot-dip galvanizing is a common and durable choice for external stairs and ladders. In aggressive environments a paint system over galvanizing may be specified.
When does a fixed ladder need a cage?
Requirements depend on the ladder height and the local safety rules. Many jurisdictions now prefer fall-arrest systems or stairs for frequent access.
Engineering content is general guidance. Every World Steel building is designed by qualified engineers to the code and loads of the project.
