Alternating tread stairs are the safest and most comfortable space saving stairs for industrial and commercial applications. To maximize floor space, designers need to know when and where to use alternating tread stairs to get the most benefit. Steep Angle Stair Saves Space As a steep stair solution, alternating tread stairs save a significant amount of floor space vs a standard stair design. The...Read more

Ships ladders, ship stairs, ship ladder stairs, alternating tread stairs, fixed ladders are all terms that can get confused and sometimes used interchangeably. How do these devices differ from each other? Let's look at how OSHA defines stairways, alternating tread stairs, ship stairs, ship ladders, and fixed ladders to understand the difference. OSHA Stair and Ladder Definitions OSHA Section...Read more

Stair codes are complex, and most people don't have the time to learn how all the codes relate to each other. We created this guide to help stair designers navigate through the complexity. This guide will teach you about: All the different stair codes and stair regulatory agencies How the different stair codes and standards relate to each other What codes apply for each application Stair...Read more

With so many different options and applications for roof ladders and roof stairs, it can be difficult to determine what is the best device for each roof application. Some of the options to access roofs are stairways, roof ladders, fixed ladders or permanent ladders, folding ladders, retractable ladders, ships ladders, and alternating tread stairs. Understanding roof access code...Read more

At Lapeyre Stair, we often get asked if we manufacture ship stairs or ships ladders. The short answer is no. But what are ships ladders and why don't we manufacture them? Ship stairs and ship ladders are addressed by both OSHA and IBC. OSHA uses the terms ship stair and ship ladder interchangeably while IBC uses the term ships ladder. There is one key difference between a ships ladder and a ship...Read more

Alternating Tread Stairs provide the same space saving benefit but more than twice the usable tread depth as a ships ladder or ship stair. On its own, this is a great advantage. More tread depth means a larger stepping surface and greater stability for the user. But how does this actually translate to improved safety and comfort? A team at the Virginia Tech Human Factors Engineering Laboratory...Read more

Studies have shown stair tread depth to be a risk factor of stairways. Understanding the safety of tread depth and the IBC and OSHA requirements will help stair designers ensure they choose the right stair design for optimal safety and ergonomics. Tread Depth Definition Before getting into the requirements, let's start by defining stair tread depth. OSHA states that "tread depth is measured...Read more