IBC / OSHA STAIRS
IBC / OSHA STAIRS
(OP)
We mainly design/construct industrial/grain/seed facilities and this question keeps coming up: What are the strair/handrail/guardrail requirements for equipment access?
Do equipment access stairs need to be 36" wide with 7" rise and 11" run?
Do equipment access stairs need the 42" guardrail with the third rail (handrail)?
If I must design my small platform stairs to these requirements, how are equipment mfg's such as tower mfg's (Brownie, Lemar, Warrior, ect) and grain bin (Brock, GSI ect) abel to erect stairs narrower, steeper and w/o the handrail? Also when we buy equipment with a stair platform 9 times out of 10 it would not meed IBC requirement.
Does anyone have a IBC reference with an exception for equipment stairs? I have not found one.
Do industrial stairs only have to me OSHA requirements?
Any help appreciated,
Jeff
Do equipment access stairs need to be 36" wide with 7" rise and 11" run?
Do equipment access stairs need the 42" guardrail with the third rail (handrail)?
If I must design my small platform stairs to these requirements, how are equipment mfg's such as tower mfg's (Brownie, Lemar, Warrior, ect) and grain bin (Brock, GSI ect) abel to erect stairs narrower, steeper and w/o the handrail? Also when we buy equipment with a stair platform 9 times out of 10 it would not meed IBC requirement.
Does anyone have a IBC reference with an exception for equipment stairs? I have not found one.
Do industrial stairs only have to me OSHA requirements?
Any help appreciated,
Jeff






RE: IBC / OSHA STAIRS
We do a lot of industrial scaffolding and none of it would ever meet IBC, UBC, BOCA, whatever - but it does meet OSHA.
However - we never use it where the "public" might have access.
RE: IBC / OSHA STAIRS
I can't justify what equipment suppliers provide except to say that when a inspector finally catches up to them, there's going to be much weeping and consternation.
RE: IBC / OSHA STAIRS
Equipment usually only come with limited number of work platforms that are deemed essential for its assembly and operation. The purchaser is responsible to provide assess to those platforms, and fits the maintenance needs.
Since building official usually does not involve with non-building, non-structural, subjects, you may have 100s of violations on those access, but still been granted the building permit. Every violation would only be exposed either by an OSHA visit (inspection, if required for your work place), or from the event that a worker is seriously injuried, or killed. By then, the owner will be forced to bring the access to meet the rules with hefty fines.
OSHA rules change with time (such as the 4' hight, addressed about, was lowered from 6', I believe). I don't know if the so called "Grandfather clause" apply here or not. But the new construction must comply with the rule. At least, it is advisable.
RE: IBC / OSHA STAIRS
If the facility can be accessed by the general public then you must comply with the more stringent IBC rules for rise over run, etc. If the facility is only used by company personnel and is not open to the general public, then you can used OSHA.
RE: IBC / OSHA STAIRS
RE: IBC / OSHA STAIRS
What he stated was that the intent of the code is that there is one definition for a stair, and that all stairs must be 36" wide and have 11" treads w/ 7" max rise. BUT stairs accessing equipment platforms are outside of this requirement because they are not defined as stairs. Or something like that.
I was the one talking to the code official about it, but I am not an architect.
With all of this keep in mind that the code official can always make more stringent requirements than what the code states.
RE: IBC / OSHA STAIRS
It encourages the designer to skimp and provide the more hazardous design of a ladder.
RE: IBC / OSHA STAIRS
RE: IBC / OSHA STAIRS
RE: IBC / OSHA STAIRS
I agree with the idea that if one could place a ladder by code and chooses to place a stair, then it seems to me an OSHA stair will be OK. If the building code requires a stair access, then put in the 7/11 stair.
RE: IBC / OSHA STAIRS
"Additionally, if a stair is used to access an equipment platform, it would be subject to all the dimensional requirements for stairs in accordance with Section 1009.1"
I see no way out of designing all equipment access stairs per IBC... I have also received variances from code officials, but that is no good. Because if do not get it, there is a lot of redesign.
RE: IBC / OSHA STAIRS
RE: IBC / OSHA STAIRS
RE: IBC / OSHA STAIRS
There is some logic to this position.
RE: IBC / OSHA STAIRS
For example, is a building synonomous with a structure? The wording in 1001.1 seems to use the terms interchangeably, although ASCE 7 recognizes that there are "non-building structures". That seems to be the insight that is missing here.
If you look over at the definitions of "structure" and "building", they are both fairly meaningless. A structure is "that which is built or constructed". A bollard post, a chain link fence, a telephone pole, a swimming pool, and an automobile all fit that definition of a structure, and by the wording in Section 1001, require appropriate egress.