Simplified Steel Stair Design for

Commercial and Institutional Buildings

Collaborating with steel stair fabricators during the design
of commercial and institutional buildings promotes
integrated practice and produces streamlined results.

Provided by: Lapeyre Stair

Written by: Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED-AP
 !"!#$%&'%()#*+',-.%(/&0#

McGraw-Hill Construction is a registered provider with The

American Institute of Architects Continuing Education
System. Credit earned on completion of this program will be
reported to CES records for AIA members. Certificates of
completion for non-AIA members are available on request.

This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing

professional education. As such, it does not include content
that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or
endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or
any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or
dealing in any material or product.
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laws. Reproduction, distribution, display and use of the
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prohibited.
 7+(%0,0'#89:+6/;+-##

After participating in this presentation, you will be able to:

! Identify and recognize the overall parameters, general code
requirements, and preliminary design outcomes in a building stair
design.

! Determine the specific requirements and options for stair treads,

risers, and landings in building stair systems.
! Differentiate between the specific requirements and options for stair
guards and handrails in commercial and institutional buildings.
! Formulate construction specifications for steel stair systems
working in concert with recognized standards and specialty
fabricators.
 1&<%-+#8<.=,0+#

Section 1: General Stair Design Overview

Section 2: Stair Design Specifics: Treads,
Risers and Landings
Section 3: Stair Design Specifics: Guards
and Handrails
Section 4: Steel Stair Construction Specifications
Section 1
General Stair Design Overview

The Architect will typically determine

the following:
! Building Parameters
! Applicable Codes and Standards
! Basic Design Decisions
 Section 1:
General Stair Design Overview

General Definitions:

Stair: A change in elevation, consisting of one or

more risers. (International Building Code) (IBC)

Step: A rest for the foot in ascending or

descending as one of a series of structures
consisting of a riser and tread.
(Merriam Webster Dictionary)

Stairway: One or more flights of stairs, either exterior or

interior, with the necessary landings and platforms
connecting them, to form a continuous and uninterrupted
passage from one level to another. (IBC)
 Section 1:
General Stair Design Overview

Building Parameters:

The Architect working in concert with the Owner will

always determine the overall building criteria and
parameters that affect the general and specific details
of stair design.
 Section 1:
General Stair Design Overview

Building Parameters:

1. Building Type: Fundamentally, determining if the

building is classified as a commercial, institutional,
multi-family, mixed use, or other building application.

Each type has obvious differences in use and code

requirement calculations
 Section 1:
General Stair Design Overview

Building Parameters:

2. Floor to floor or landing heights

The physical vertical dimension that each

building stair is servicing needs to be
determined and finalized

Generally, steel stair systems service up to 12

vertical rise maximum before connecting
to a landing or level
 Section 1:
General Stair Design Overview

Building Parameters:

3. Overall building design requirements

The Architect and other design professionals determine the

overall design standards for the building including:

! Aesthetics/Appearance

! Durability

! Materials

! Function
 Section 1:
General Stair Design Overview

Applicable Codes and Standards

Virtually all of the specific dimensions of most stair

components and spaces are governed by a code
or standard.

Materials, surface texture, and other product

specific items are also subject to regulation.
 Section 1:
General Stair Design Overview

Applicable Codes and Standards

1. International Building Code (IBC)

Means of Egress: A continuous and unobstructed path of vertical

and horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion of a
building or structure to a public way. (IBC)

Enclosed stairways are typically a critical part of a means of

egress and exit and regulated with many very prescriptive details.
 Section 1:
General Stair Design Overview

Applicable Codes and Standards

1. International Building Code (IBC)

Some recent updates include details of:

! Minimum egress width

! Open riser changes
! Handrail graspability
! Required locations for guards
! Limitations on guard openings
! Luminous markings in egress path
! Required areas of refuge
 Section 1:
General Stair Design Overview

Applicable Codes and Standards

2. Handicapped Accessibility Requirements

Area of Refuge: An area where persons unable to use

stairways can remain temporarily to await instruction or
assistance during emergency evacuation. (IBC)

Stairways often include these areas within their enclosure.

 Section 1:
General Stair Design Overview

Applicable Codes and Standards

2. Handicapped Accessibility Requirements

IBC, ANSI 117.1 and ADA all impose

requirements for stairways and components to
be accessible for non-wheelchair based
handicaps including:

! Treads and Risers

! Nosings

! Handrails
 Section 1:
General Stair Design Overview

Applicable Codes and Standards

3. General Safety Standards

Workplace safety governed by OSHA standards that

address stairs, handrails, guardrails, and slip
resistance.

ASTM Standard F1637 addresses Standard Practice

for Safe Walking Surfaces.
 Section 1:
General Stair Design Overview

General Design Decisions

Architects and Designers determine:

! Stair Configuration to fit with building

design: straight run, switch back, angled,
scissor stair, custom, etc.

! Presence of other allowable items in

stairwells such as sprinklers, standpipes,
openings, etc. and clearances required

! Applicable Code and Standard

requirements to determine design features
such as occupancy load for stair, stair
width and handicapped accessibility
requirements.
 Section 1:
General Stair Design Overview

General Design Decisions

Steel Stair Fabricators/Manufacturers can use the General
Design Decisions from architects to develop the specific
details of the fabricated stair design.

In the spirit of integrated practice, the fabricator or

manufacturer can provide a preliminary or trial shop
drawing for the architects review and input to coordinate the
overall building design and stair design together.
Section 2
Stair Design Specifics: Treads, Risers, and Landings

The Stair fabricator / manufacturer can provide the specialty

details of the following under the direction of the Architect:
! Treads
! Risers
! Landings
! Nosings
 Section 2:
Stair Design Specifics: Treads, Risers, and Landings

Treads

1. Tread Definition:

The upper horizontal part of a

step (Merriam-Webster
Dictionary)

Codes and standards assume

common understanding and dont
define differently.
 Section 2:
Stair Design Specifics: Treads, Risers, and Landings

Treads

2. Specific Code and Standard Requirements for

Treads:

Depth: 11 minimum with less than 3/8 variation

between treads in a single run of stairs (IBC)

Width: to match stair width requirements (IBC)

Profile: Leading edge or nosing shall be less than !

curve or bevel (ANSI 117.1)

Slip resistance: Stable, planar, level, flush & slip resistant

(ASTM F1637)
 Section 2:
Stair Design Specifics: Treads, Risers, and Landings

Treads

3. Tread Design Options:

! Steel pan filled with concrete on site

! Fabricated smooth plate steel

! Fabricated diamond plate patterned steel

! Primed steel for separate field finish

! Pre-finished in standard or custom colors

! Galvanized steel
 Section 2:
Stair Design Specifics: Treads, Risers, and Landings

Risers

1. Riser Definition:

The upright member between two stair

treads (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Codes and standards also assume

common understanding and dont
define differently.
 Section 2:
Stair Design Specifics: Treads, Risers, and Landings

Risers

2. Specific Code and Standard Requirements for Risers:

Height: 4 7 with less than 3/8 variation along a run of

stairs (IBC)

Open or closed: Closed most common and required for

accessible stairs (ANSI 117.1). Open risers allowed only in
limited situations (IBC & OSHA)

Flat or sloped: vertical or up to 30 degrees slope (ANSI 117.1)

 Section 2:
Stair Design Specifics: Treads, Risers, and Landings

Risers

3. Riser Design Options:

! Open or closed

! Flat or sloped if closed

! Material choice

! Pre-finished or field-finished
 Section 2:
Stair Design Specifics: Treads, Risers, and Landings

Landings

1. Landings Definition:

A level part of a staircase (as

at the end of a flight of
stairs). (Merriam-Webster
Dictionary)

Codes and standards assume

understanding and dont define
differently.

Sometimes referred to as a
stair platform
 Section 2:
Stair Design Specifics: Treads, Risers, and Landings

Landings

2. Specific Code and Standard

Requirements for Landings:

Location: Required at the top and bottom of

each stairway (IBC)

Width: to match stair width requirements (IBC)

Slip resistance: Stable, planar, level, flush, and

slip resistant (ASTM F1637)

Stair level identification (ANSI 117.1)

 Section 2:
Stair Design Specifics: Treads, Risers, and Landings

Landings

3. Landing Design Options (could be same or different

than treads)

! Steel pan filled on site with concrete

! Fabricated smooth plate steel

! Fabricated diamond plate patterned steel

! Primed steel for field-finish

! Pre-finished in standard or custom colors

! Galvanized steel
 Section 2:
Stair Design Specifics: Treads, Risers, and Landings

Nosings

1. Nosing Definition:

The leading edge of

treads of stairs and of
landings at the top of
stairway flights (IBC)
 Section 2:
Stair Design Specifics: Treads, Risers, and Landings

Nosings

2. Specific Code and Standard Requirements for

Nosings:

Projection from vertical: 1-1/4 (IBC ) or 1-1/2 max.

(ANSI 117.1)

Differentiation: Visual contrast across front 2 inches of

tread. (ANSI 117.1, ASTM F1637)

Slip resistance: tactile difference along nosings are a

common safety feature (ASTM F1637)
 Section 2:
Stair Design Specifics: Treads, Risers, and Landings

Nosings

3. Nosing Design Options (could be same or

different than treads and landings)

! Integral to stair tread

! Integral to stair riser

! Additional add-on treatment

Section 3
Stair Design Specifics: Guards and Handrails

The Stair fabricator / manufacturer can provide the

specialty details of the following under the direction
of the Architect:
! Guards
! Handrails
! Stringers
 Section 3:
Stair Design Specifics: Guards and Handrails

Guards

1.!Guard Definition:

A building component or a system

of building components located at
or near the open sides of elevated
walking surfaces that minimizes
the possibility of a fall from the
walking surface to a lower
level (IBC)
 Section 3:
Stair Design Specifics: Guards and Handrails

Guards

2. Specific Guard Code and Standard Requirements:

Required: Anywhere above 30 above floor or grade

below (IBC)

Height: 42 high measured vertically above the leading

edge of the tread or adjacent walking surface. (IBC)

Opening restrictions: a 4 sphere shall not pass through

any opening up to a height of 34 inches or an 8 sphere
between height of 34 42 inches (IBC)
 Section 3:
Stair Design Specifics: Guards and Handrails

Guards

3. Guard Design Options

Architects need to specify if guards are needed or if

stairway walls are present and negate the need:

! One side

! Both sides

! Neither side
 Section 3:
Stair Design Specifics: Guards and Handrails

Guards

3. Guard Design Options

! Rails or pickets

! Solid filler panels

! Wire mesh panels

! Pre-finished in standard or custom colors

! Primed for field-finish

! Galvanized

! Welded or bolted pre-assembled or field assembled

 Section 3:
Stair Design Specifics: Guards and Handrails

Handrails

1.!Definition:

A horizontal or sloping
rail intended for grasping
by the hand for guidance
or support (IBC)
 Section 3:
Stair Design Specifics: Guards and Handrails

Handrails

2. Specific Handrail Code and Standard

Requirements:

Required: On both sides of all stairs and

ramps. Intermediate (center) rail if more
than 60 stair width (IBC & ANSI 117.1)

Continuity: Handrails shall be continuous

without interruption at ends or supports (IBC &
ANSI 117.1)

Height: Uniform height that is no less than 34

and no higher than 38 measured vertically
above stair tread nosing (IBC & ANSI 117.1)
 Section 3:
Stair Design Specifics: Guards and Handrails

Handrails

2. Specific Handrail Code and Standard Requirements

(contd):

Graspability for Circular handrails: Outside diameter of at

least 1.25 inches but less than 2 inches. (IBC & ANSI 117.1)

Graspability for Non-Circular handrails: Perimeter dimension

of at least 4 inches but less than 6.25 inches and maximum
cross section of 2.25 inches. (IBC & ANSI 117.1)
 Section 3:
Stair Design Specifics: Guards and Handrails

Handrails

2. Specific Handrail Code and

Standard Requirements (contd):

Clearance: 1-1/2 inches minimum

clearance between handrail and wall or
guard (IBC & ANSI 117.1)

Surfaces: Smooth with rounded edges

(IBC & ANSI 117.1)

Handrail Extensions: 12 inches or depth

of tread past the last top and bottom
tread (IBC & ANSI 117.1)
 Section 3:
Stair Design Specifics: Guards and Handrails

Handrails

3. Handrail Design Options

Architects need to specify if handrails are intended

to be installed as:

! Guard mounted

! Stair mounted

! Wall mounted
 Section 3:
Stair Design Specifics: Guards and Handrails

Handrails

3. Handrail Design Options

! Pre-finished in standard or custom colors

! Primed for field finish

! Galvanized

! Pre-assembled or field assembled

! Welded or bolted
 Section 3:
Stair Design Specifics: Guards and Handrails

Stringers

1. Stringer Definition:

The structural member that

supports the treads and
risers.
 Section 3:
Stair Design Specifics: Guards and Handrails

Stringers

1. Stringer Design Options:

! Flat Plate

! C- Channel

! Tube

! Z-Channel
 Section 3:
Stair Design Specifics: Guards and Handrails

Stringers

3. Structural Requirements for Stringers

! Size and Number of stringers are determined by the

stair design and load requirements

! Center stringers may be required for wide stairs in

excess of 60 in width (NAAM 4.4)

! Stair manufacturer can help determine the

appropriate stringer sizes to meet design
requirements
Section 4
Steel Stair Construction Specifications

The Stair fabricator / manufacturer and

the Architect can work together to
fashion appropriate specifications for
the construction and installation of the
steel stair system.
 Section 4:
Steel Stair Construction Specifications

Part 1: General

Relevant Fabrication standards:

! AISC
Manual of Steel Construction
Code of Standard Practice

! ASTM
Select relevant standard based on type of steel
product and treatment

! NAAM
510-92 Metal Stairs Manual
ANSI/NAAM Metal bar Grating Manual
 Section 4:
Steel Stair Construction Specifications

Part 1: General

Performance and Construction Requirements:

! Components to meet concentrated and distributed

load requirements code minimum or above

! Fabrication of components to be of single piece

material

! Specify welded or bolted conditions where

appropriate
 Section 4:
Steel Stair Construction Specifications

Part 1: General

Submittals

! Manufacturers installation instructions

! Dimensioned drawings for approval

before fabrication

! Full shop drawings

! In the spirit of integrated practice, the submittal

process can be drastically simplified if the stair
fabricator provides trial drawings during design
for coordination and integration in building
 Section 4:
Steel Stair Construction Specifications

Part 1: General

Delivery, Storage and Handling

! Reference AISC Code of Standard

Practice, Sections 6 and 7

! Clean, dry, location away from

damaging chemicals or substances

! Lay out on firm material to avoid bending

! Do not stack

! Protect finishes
 Section 4:
Steel Stair Construction Specifications

Part 2: Products

Manufacturer

! Select a single manufacturer for all components for a

complete, coordinated system

! Assure availability to project location

 Section 4:
Steel Stair Construction Specifications

Part 2: Products

Materials

! Steel stair components

! Brackets or mounting devices

! Fasteners

! Miscellaneous materials
 Section 4:
Steel Stair Construction Specifications

Part 2: Products

Finishes

Pick one for each component.

Powder coat baked enamel:

!Gray primer

!Safety yellow paint

!Standard or custom colors

!Hot dip galvanized

 Section 4:
Steel Stair Construction Specifications

Part 2: Products

Fabrication

Per final approved shop drawings,

determine assembly type:

! Welded

! Field bolted

! Pre-assembled

! Partially assembled
 Section 4:
Steel Stair Construction Specifications

Part 2: Products

Packaging

Pack and ship in a manner to protect the final products

and minimize the potential for damage during shipping and
handling
 Section 4:
Steel Stair Construction Specifications

Part 3: Execution

Preparation

! Coordinate with other trades and work

! Weather and operations protection

! Verify enclosure dimensions

! Verify substrate

! Make any needed corrections prior to stair installation

 Section 4:
Steel Stair Construction Specifications

Part 3: Execution

Installation

! Field check steel components

! Handle to avoid bending or deforming

! Inspect, replace, or repair any damaged pieces

! Pre-assemble per instructions

! Prepare mounting holes

! Install square, level, and plumb

! Tighten all fasteners to torque level

 Section 4:
Steel Stair Construction Specifications

Part 3: Execution

Cleaning

! Touch up finishes

! Clean finished assembly

 Section 4:
Steel Stair Construction Specifications

Final Installation Examples

 Section 4:
Steel Stair Construction Specifications

Final Installation Examples

 Section 4:
Steel Stair Construction Specifications

Final Installation Examples

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