If you are building a stairway or ladder system within your establishment there will likely be some requirements that the structure must be able to meet to comply with your building codes. These guidelines for building ladders and stairs systems are set through OSHA along with IBC.
OSHA also called the Occupational Health and Safety Administration is a United States federal agency that regulates and enforces safety in the workplace and health. However, on the contrary, IBC or the International Building Code is a building code model that was developed in collaboration with the International Code Council to standardize building codes throughout all of the United States with the first edition being released in 1997.
All in all, OSHA standards generally only be used in workplace environments and are complemented by IBC codes being used in the majority of other instances.
OSHA Stairs
In order for stairways to comply with the OSHA code the structure must only be used for the benefit of employees and not accessible to the general public. All in all, they could contain areas such as factory floors or manufacturing spaces where only employees who are designated work.
So, they aren't restricted by the IBC. Instead, OSHA's Fixed Industrial Stair regulations (1910.24) regulate the design, construction, and operation of both exterior and interior stairs that are used for accessing machinery, equipment tanks elevated platforms, as well as pits or floors.
When we look at the requirements to be used in an OSHA stair system, we will include five key aspects to be considered that include the staircase's slope as well as the risers and tread, and width of the stairs as well as safety railings, and the landing of the stairway.
To determine the slope of the stairway system, we're going to consider the total vertical rise of the staircase from the floor to the landing, and then, the length of horizontal run the stairs need to travel to reach that height.
If you take a look at the graph on the right side, from osha.gov you can be able to see the various degrees of incline OSHA defines. To be OSHA-certified stairs, the incline of the staircase must be at the level of B, which is between 300 and 500.
The staircase should have a landing on the top and the bottom of the staircase. In the event that the upper landing leads to an entrance, there should be a minimum of 22" between the edge of the fully opened door between the top of the door and the edge.
In addition, the width of the stairwell must be at a minimum of 22" wide. OSHA recommends railings on all open sides of stairwells, as well as the handrail, must be on at least one side, with the right-hand side that descends to 34" high.
IBC-Stair-System
In the case of IBC stairs, they are much more stringent standards as these stairways are typically found in areas that are accessible to the public and are subject to more use as OSHA stairs. These rules must consider the safety of each type of person, which includes older people and children.
Thus this International Building Code must have guidelines that consider small people who may slip through the handrail or between pickets. Additionally, there is more space to allow traffic to travel either way and an additional landing area for those who are elderly or who have poor vision.
Additionally, IBC codes for approved stairs are more set in stone than OSHA regulations. To determine those stairs that have a slope IBC stairway the horizontal length of the stairways must not be 1.5 more than the rise in vertical.
Additionally, they have to have an intermediate landing if the staircase is raised at 12' and greater. In general, the size of IBC stairs is 36", which in comparison to OSHA stairs (22") offers more space for traffic and errors.
Additionally, IBC stairs will come with a 7", closed riser and an 11" tread. In addition, these systems will require rails 42" high and handrails 34" high on both sides of the staircase.
In the end, both IBC along with the OSHA codes share one basic objective in common: to ensure that people are kept protected and safe throughout their daily lives. They do an incredible job in not only creating efficient safety guidelines and regulations but also constantly evaluating their efforts and making them better for the next time.
With their information regarding safety procedures and the statistics regarding workplace accidents and injuries, they enable many blue-collar employees to work and live in a healthier and safer working environment.
In general, OSHA standards are less strict than IBC guidelines and they are more often used in government establishments. IBC standards are preferred and are more common in the private sector.
But both standards offer their own advantages. With IBC provides top-quality security for the public as well as OSHA provides some design flexibility to workplaces with complicated work processes.
