Fixed Industrial Stairs
Fixed Industrial Stairs
(OP)
This supject has been posted before and there seemed to be no definite conclusion reached..so I am posing it again to see if there are any new insights or experience on the problem
..project is in the state of Georgia, US
...governing code IBC with GA amendments
problem...I am designing an outdoor industrial stairs that will be used for maintenance of equipment..
I am coming up with about 13'-7" between stair landings...
..OSHA does not place any limitations on the distance between landings,
IBC is not clear when it comes to industrial type buidings about
what limitations to apply..
..12'max is typically used in the industry..
If I have to adhere to this 12' max, it would entail alot of redesign and time on a tite schedule...
where did this 12' max originally come from?..
thanks
..project is in the state of Georgia, US
...governing code IBC with GA amendments
problem...I am designing an outdoor industrial stairs that will be used for maintenance of equipment..
I am coming up with about 13'-7" between stair landings...
..OSHA does not place any limitations on the distance between landings,
IBC is not clear when it comes to industrial type buidings about
what limitations to apply..
..12'max is typically used in the industry..
If I have to adhere to this 12' max, it would entail alot of redesign and time on a tite schedule...
where did this 12' max originally come from?..
thanks






RE: Fixed Industrial Stairs
RE: Fixed Industrial Stairs
RE: Fixed Industrial Stairs
So unless you can get the building department to specify a differance code for your structure, you are stuck with the 12' vertical rise IMHO.
Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.
RE: Fixed Industrial Stairs
It is heavily dependent on the official and on the situation. I tend to think that officials are too concervative and often ask for (or require) a full-fledged 36" wide, 7/11, 12' max rise stairs when an OSHA-comliant 24" wide steep stair or ladder will suffice.
RE: Fixed Industrial Stairs
RE: Fixed Industrial Stairs
I see three possible solutions to your dilemma: (1) Fill the entire site around this structure by exactly 1'-7" and your problem will go away. The AHJ will probably not require you to fill beyond the property lines. (2) Alternatively, you could cut 1'-7" out of all the vertical components in the bldg. and glue them back together. Again, problem gone. (3) Let them use a ladder, there is no 12' limit on those.
It's hard to imagine that expecting a maintenance worker to take three more steps before reaching the next floor would be a dangerous or unsafe thing. And, a straight run might even facilitate the transport of equipment up the flight of stairs, but never mind, 12' is chiseled in stone, someplace, for some obscure reason.
RE: Fixed Industrial Stairs
If it is not for regular use, IMO the code officials have no leg to stand on in terms of reason....especially when a ladder is the other alternative.
RE: Fixed Industrial Stairs
since this is a super-fast-track project, I can not afford any uncertainties or delays in obtaining a building permit, so I have decided to redesign now and take the hit up front...much aggro!
I get frustrated also at the strict interpretation of the codes without using any engineering judgement or, for that matter, common sense..
the codes can not cover everything, nor do I want them to...they are cumbersome enough as it is...
to me ,the codes are to be interpreted by qualified users, using their best judgement..see blurb in the front page of the codes..
to ease the sting abit, I guess the local code inspectors have to deal with all kinds of shady and dishonest characters and have probably been burned many times for taking a risk or using independent judgement...as you can see, I am trying hard to move towards peace and serenity on this matter..
RE: Fixed Industrial Stairs
RE: Fixed Industrial Stairs
RE: Fixed Industrial Stairs
dhengr...my thought exactly...great minds think alike!