Steel and metal stairs can be found in many commercial and industrial settings. Choosing the right one, of course, can prove to be a bit more of a task than anticipated, but the good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. When you work with a trusted, experienced steel and metal stair fabricator, you’ll trust that you’re getting the best staircase for your commercial space, no matter what you need.
Every project is different, but there are some factors that everyone will need to consider. The process involves research, review and selection, consultation, creation, and installation.
The more prepared you are, the faster the project will be completed and the fewer errors you’ll experience along the way. Take the time to consider all of the details below when determining the best course of action for your indoor steel or outdoor metal staircase needs.
Prefabricated Steel Staircases
If you are on a short timeline or you want something simpler, prefabrication could be the way to go. Because staircases can be so varied, there is no real “standard” prefabricated staircase for a commercial space—there are dozens of different designs out there to choose from so that you don’t have to invest the time, work, or money into custom designing for your staircase.
The caveat here is that “prefabricated” doesn’t mean every last detail is already chosen—there are plenty of prefab models that offer some degree of customization, giving you a little bit of flexibility in your design without having to go with a full custom creation. These staircases are often more budget-friendly, too, but that doesn’t mean they’re the only choice if you’re on a tight budget or a tight timeline. You can often fabricate custom staircases that are budget-friendly if you work with the right fabricator.
Prefab staircases do have their own level of flexibility, but they just might not be able to deliver the exact fit or work around the obstacles that are in place. It’s not to say that they don’t have a place, but generally speaking, custom builds are a much more effective choice for industrial and commercial applications.
Custom Staircase Fabrication
Custom fabrication for steel staircases may make more sense in some applications. If you have a unique space or use case, it could call for custom fabrication of metal or steel stairs for your commercial space. This is often the better choice for commercial staircase installations. It allows you to take into consideration all size and space requirements, as well as the specific use of the staircase. It will also be easy to get the staircase designed to comply with safety standards and building codes, and you’ll trust that it will provide years of durable use since it was custom-designed and installed for this specific space and application.
Custom staircase fabrication allows you to pick a safe, stylish solution for your space, and ensure that you take care of all the regulatory and safety compliance issues as a part of the build and installation. Working with experienced staircase construction and installation experts will ensure that you get the perfect fit, which is well worth the increased expense for most.
With a custom steel staircase, you’ll guarantee that you’ll pass any audit or inspection and that your stairs will deliver years of reliable use.
How to Choose Your Perfect Staircase
Several factors go into choosing your ideal steel or metal staircase, starting with the building regulations and safety requirements. After all, commercial buildings are subject to specific rules and safety regulations regarding the size, type, and style of stairs used both inside and outside. New York State has its own building code requirements for various types of commercial spaces, along with any OSHA requirements or regulations you need to follow, and then you can start to get into the finer details of material, finish, size requirements, tread depth and material, and even the railings that go with the staircase.
Whether you’re buying a prefabricated staircase or having a custom steel stair set built for your needs, the considerations remain the same.
Building Regulations
Building codes are the first stop for anyone installing a commercial staircase. If you aren’t familiar with them, don’t worry—your staircase manufacturer will ensure that you know what’s required. For example, there are different requirements for spaces that are accessed by the public when compared to spaces that are only accessed by trained, workers in a private facility. The application of the stairs, who is using them, and the floor space available will all play a part in helping understand what regulations must be followed.
Safety Requirements
In a commercial setting, there may be certain safety codes or requirements for a staircase. For example, if it is a fire escape staircase, it has certain width and tread depth requirements, as well as riser height considerations. The same is true with OSHA regulations for stairways and ladders—typically, your staircase contractor will know these requirements and ensure they are followed in any stair fabrication or installation.
Usually, these requirements will include things like the pitch of the staircase (angle), headroom, tread depth, riser height, balustrade height and width apart, landing requirements, overall width, and any relevant fire codes or regulations.
On that note, let’s take a look at the current OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and IBC (International Building Code) stair regulations (current at the time of this writing, but subject to change; always check for the latest codes when starting your project):
| OSHA | IBC | |
| Risers/Tread | 9.5” tread and 8” open riser | 11” tread, 7” closed riser with a max open gap of 4” |
| Stair Width | 22” minimum | 44” wide minimum; 36” minimum in commercial spaces with less than 50 people |
| Landings | Required at top and bottom | Required at top and bottom, intermediate landings required over 12 feet, as well as bottom handrail extensions |
| Railings/Guardrails | Required on open sides of stairwells; required on at least one side, 42” high | 42” high guardrails and 34” high handrails on both sides of stairs |
| Balusters* | No more than 19” between balusters | No more than 4” between balusters |
*These are the vertical poles/units in handrails
Indoor vs. Outdoor Installations
Where is your staircase going? The location of the stairs will determine what kind of materials and construction could be most effective. Outdoor metal stairs often need more guardrails or handrails for protection, and they may be installed at a different pitch than indoor stairs. Plus, the material needs to be able to stand up to the elements, whether it’s powder-coated finished steel or any other type of metal.
Make sure that all outdoor staircases have appropriate non-slip features and finishes to ensure that the staircase will not become a hazard in wet weather or if it snows. If you’re installing outdoor fire escape stairs specifically, you’ll need to consider local regulations regarding the type of building, occupants, size of the building, and the number of alternative exits. It sounds like a lot, but again, you’re not alone when you work with a reputable steel staircase fabricator.
Depending on the use and the location of the stairs, you’ll have to determine which material will do the job. Indoor stairs are often done in standard metal or iron, while many outdoor staircases are fabricated out of galvanized steel. Diamond plating and grating are two common features in these staircases that can add texture and safety all at once. Usually, diamond-plated metal will also be painted if it is outdoors to provide additional protection.
The type of stairs that you need, where they are located, and their intended use will be the factors that help determine what material you use. There is, of course, the matter of preference, but for most commercial applications the preference is whatever material is the most cost-effective and provides the safest solution.
Pitch, Height, and Other Size Requirements
What kind of staircase are you building or installing? Do you need a short set of front steps for your new building entrance? Or are you looking for a three-floor staircase that leads from the factory floor up to the offices above? The height and number of steps that you need will be among the most important factors in your staircase. The pitch is something that’s regulated by building codes and other safety organizations, so that will be less of a choice that you make and more of something decided for you.
In some cases, you may be able to decide between two different pitch angles based on the type of installation, but that’s not always the case. Usually, it’s best left to whoever is designing the staircase.
Treads and Materials
How wide do you need the treads? How deep are they? Are they open or closed? Do you want diamond-plated treads or treads that feature galvanized grating? A lot of this depends on the location of the stairs and their use, but some of it is a matter of choice, too.
Talk to your fabricator about the different options that you have for the treads, or steps, themselves, including whether you need safety strips, drainage, diamond plating, or other elements in the design as well as what kind of finish you’ll want on the treads and the entire staircase.
Railings
As mentioned, railings will typically be based on safety regulations or building code requirements. There are also ADA-compliant handrails that can be installed for accessibility needs. The railings and balustrades, or bars between the railings, can be cylindrical (pipe-shaped), square, or even a decorative shape or style if you so desire. In most commercial applications, function takes priority over fashion in this particular feature.
Railings are for safety. They are designed to give people something to hold onto and protection from falling off the staircase. That should be your primary concern when choosing your design, but style and other concerns can be added to the list once you have safety checked off.
Does Style Matter?
Too often, some people errantly assume that when they are looking for stairs for a commercial setting, the purchase is all about function. While you do need stairs that get the job done, you’re allowed to have some opinion on taste and style. It may not be relevant in some applications, such as if you’re installing safety stairs in the warehouse that need to meet certain specifications.
However, if you’re building staircases for offices or other commercial uses, it may be possible to choose different materials and designs because of their unique style or visual appeal. You’re not going to benefit from installing a stylish curved staircase in the middle of the factory floor—sure it looks great, but it’s entirely impractical.
With that said, of course, there are several instances where you can add a touch of style to your commercial staircase build. AS an example the stair stringers can be made of tube steel, flat plates as well as the usual C-channels for various looks. Talk to your contractor to find out what your options are so that you can create the stairs that you’ve always wanted.
The Bottom Line
Once you’ve taken care of the building requirements and safety regulations, the rest of the staircase design is essentially up to you. Are you building new construction or adding a staircase to an existing space? Is this part of a big renovation? Take the time to consider exactly what you need and consider the pros and cons of custom builds versus prefab products—there’s plenty of room for both in the world of stairs. Keep in mind that all metal and steel staircases are fireproof when replacing old wooden ones which are not code compliant anymore.
The good news is that when you choose a reliable staircase company to assist you, all the details will be taken care of and you’ll ensure that everything is done according to all codes and regulations, while still giving you the perfect staircase for any need. That’s just the start of what you get when you work with experienced steel staircase experts like the team at Steelmasters NYC.
Resources
https://www.panelbuilt.com/blog/prefabricated-stairs-cost-vs-benefits-comparison
https://industrialstair.com/metal-industrial-platforms-and-stairs/
https://blog.manningtoncommercial.com/how-to-design-a-commercial-stairway
