If you are building or remodeling a business, you will want to take care in choosing the right stairs for your facility. There are several popular choices that businesses often consider, but it is very important that you make the right decision so that you can ensure the safety of the people in your facility while meeting regulatory requirements. Those top choices include:
Crossover Style Stairs
If you have an area with a lot of obstacles, crossover stairs and platforms can be an excellent option. This combines platforms and stairs that help to keep people safe as they walk around your business. It is like a bridge, getting you over things like pipes or other things to get around safely offering you convenience and better productivity. When these are constructed, it is important that you get handrails that are tall enough to keep people safe as they walk around these areas as some require to be at a greater height.
Catwalk Stairs
These commercial stairs are longer industrial platforms or walkways that are suspended over a larger area that can be connected by stairs or ladders at either end. These can be very dangerous if not constructed properly, but they are convenient options to get around in larger open factories with multi-levels and give you greater visibility of items below.
Mono (Single) Stringer Stairs
Also referred to as “floating steps”, these are open and durable stairs that seem to be less sturdy than they actually are. They are efficient stairs, but they may not be the ideal option for every location. Some people may even feel uncomfortable using them. Consider your environment and the efficiency needed before installing. Mono stringer stairs are mainly for aesthetic purposes as opposed to enabling high productivity.
Spiral Stairs
Spiral stairs are aesthetically pleasing and can be small and efficient options that are easily recognizable. This option is a great choice for smaller areas as it takes up less space. However, these are supported only by a post which may not be very sturdy or can become compromised easily.
Industrial Metal Stairs
Industrial Metal Stairs are a popular choice especially within industrial facilities because they are a durable and safer option. The most important benefit that you can get from these stairs is the fact that they are compliant with both OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and IBC (International Building Code) standards.
This is a basic overview of the popular types of stairs used in businesses and industrial facilities. Whatever you choose to get, you do want to ensure that you pick options that are compliant with industry regulations. OSHA compliant stairs are very important since OSHA is one of the leading regulatory bodies that helps to provide guidelines to keep workers safe. IBC is a building code standard that is recognized in most jurisdictions. There are certain standards that need to be met when you are constructing industrial stairs in your workplace. You want to not only be sure that you achieve these standards but that you keep in mind the safety of everyone who walks into your facility. You want the most durable choice that is going to meet the needs of the various areas in your building. It is also important to choose the right materials, which will help the longevity of the stairs as well as the safety of your employees.
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