Resources
In-depth product information and file downloads for every phase of your project.
Online tools and downloads to help you quick start your next project.
Alternating tread stairs
Bolted access stairs
Commercial egress stairs
Measuring guidelines, product dimensions, and connection details.
Alternating tread stairs
Bolted access stairs
Commercial egress stairs
Information regarding how to install our products.
Alternating tread stairs
Bolted access stairs
Commercial egress stairs
Training
CEU courses and webinar recordings.
Literature
PDF downloads of product literature.
General
Does Lapeyre Stair have a licensed engineer onsite?
Yes. An on-site, licensed engineer is a critical factor in streamlining the design and engineering process for customers. Stairs can be designed and fabricated more rapidly without compromising our quality and accuracy because we maintain a licensed engineer on staff.
Does Lapeyre Stair provide engineering stamps?
Yes, we provide engineering stamps in all 50 states.
Are replacement parts available?
Yes. Contact us to order replacement parts.
Alternating tread stairs
Do alternating tread stairs meet code for residential use?
Alternating tread stairs are manufactured for industrial applications. Homeowners interested in alternating tread stairs for residential use should check their local code requirements before ordering.
Do alternating tread stairs meet code for industrial use?
Yes, alternating tread stairs meet the requirements of major industrial building codes. Click here for more information about our code compliance.
Where can alternating tread stairs be used?
Alternating tread stairs can be used anywhere that a steep ladder or stair would be used. Common applications include mezzanines, rooftops, crossover systems, equipment access, and offshore vessels. Alternating tread stairs provide a safe means of forward facing descent. However, it is not possible to turn around and only one foot at a time can fit on a tread. These conditions make alternating tread stairs less suitable for those with mobility issues.
Commercial egress stairs
What information does the design and engineering department require to reduce RFIs and create an accurate design expediently?
- Architectural and structural drawings identified as "Ready for Construction"
- 3D models
- Addendums or sketches that have been produced since the release of the final construction set
What documents should be included in a basic set of Architectural Drawings?
- Cover sheet or index drawing
- Site plan
- Architectural floor plans
- Architectural reflected ceiling plans
- Architectural building sections
- Architectural wall sections
- Architectural details
- Enlarged plans
- Architectural stair sections and details
What documents should be included in a basic set of Structural Drawings?
- Foundation plans
- Framing plans
- Enlarged framing plans
- Details
- Addendums and sketches created after approval of the original design
What information should be included in the floor plan of the stair submitted with the drawing set (FIGURE 1)?
- Clear, overall dimensions from the inside face of the wall to the inside face of the opposite wall (1)
- Structural grid lines and designations (Grid A, B, C or 1, 2, 3)
- Direction of travel (Up or Down arrows)
- Dimensions of each part of the stair
- Width of treads (not clear between handrails) (2)
- Width of clear space between guardrails (3)
- Depth of landings (4)
- Number of treads (5)
- Landing and finished floor elevations (landing and floor heights)
- Section Marker indicating where a section through the stair can be found (6)
- Interaction between the handrail and adjacent walls, egress doors, etc. (7)
- Indications of any special features of the stair and a reference to more information: in this case, a structural column creates a “bump out” at the stair shaft (8)
What features should a stair section include (FIGURE 2)?
- Landing and finished floor elevations (landing and floor heights) (1)
- Type of tread, type of riser (2)
- Tread length and riser height (3)
- Handrail and guardrail heights (4)
- Handrail type, picket or panel type (5)
- Handrail extension design (6)
- Indication of handrail attachment to adjacent walls*
- References to details explaining connections between the stringers and the landings (7)
- Relationship between the Lapeyre product and the adjacent wall (8)
- Depth of landings (9)
- Stair supports (10)
- Unusual conditions: in this example, the flanges of the structural beam are wider than the wall, resulting in a "bump out" in the wall: in this case, the “bump out” does not affect the stair design; other projects may have fire risers or other structural or mechanical elements that need to be considered (11)
Are there other details illustrating conditions specific to a project that are required (FIGURE?
Yes. Dimensions for the centerline of supporting beams to the edge of the slab(s) are vital to the proper design of a stair. Not having this information can lead to interruptions in the design or even the complete redesign of a stair, but it is missing in over 80% of submitted drawings. In this example, the supporting beam (1) and the edge of the slab (2) are 7 ½" apart (3). These drawings are supplied by a steel fabricator.
Special Note: The edge of the landing is not the same as the edge of the top nosing. Our stairs require an extra 1.5" from the edge of the slab at the nosing to fit.
Online tools and downloads to help you quick start your next project.
Measuring guidelines, product dimensions, and connection details.
Step-by-step instructions for how to install our products.
Keep current on stair codes, industry standards, safety, and best practices. Subscribe today
Slippery walking surfaces are associated with fall incidences in the workplace. Non slip metal stair treads improve safety by eliminating slippery conditions. Abrasive coatings provide a durable, permanent, slip resistant walking surface. Serrated grating treads and other grip treads are also good for certain applications. This guide will teach you about slip resistant stair treads for...Read more
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
Prefabricated metal stairs have many benefits. They are easy to install with a bolted stair kit assembly, powder coat finished, code compliant, and shipped with shorter lead times than custom stair systems. It makes sense that prefab stairs are the preferred option for most industrial stair applications. This guide will help you understand the options for prefabricated industrial 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
A very common application for industrial metal stairs is access to mezzanines. These mezzanines are typically used for storage, work space, office space, or other general use conditions. A common question we get is whether or not mezzanines require IBC compliant stairs or OSHA compliant stairs. Mezzanine vs Equipment Platform To answer that questions, it first helps to define a mezzanine....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