Stair towers are fall prevention for workers who needs to access levels where a ladder can't reach. Whether it's a ship, a multiple story building, bridge or other tall structure, stair towers are excellent fall prevention and are built to withstand the elements.
Stair towers are basically steel scaffolding with internal stairways that provide safe access for workers. OSHA has several rules and regulations for stair towers, some of which are paraphrased below to give you an idea:
• Stair rail needs a top rail and mid rail on each side of the staircase.
• Sufficient handholds on handrails allow employees to grab to avoid falls.
• Stair rails and handrails need to be smooth to prevent lacerations or punctures on skin and snagging of clothes.
• End of handrails and stair rails should be curved so they aren’t a projection hazard.
• The landing platform at each level must be at least 18 inches square.
• All treads and landing surfaces need to be slip-resistant.
• Provide guardrails on the open sides and ends of each landing that meet OSHA requirements.
• Uniform riser height and tread depth are mandatory.
For the full list, go here - http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/scaffolding/supported/frame/access.html
This is not something you want to try to decipher on your own. Carbis engineers are up-to-date on OSHA requirements as well as local building codes so they can design the ideal stair tower for your business needs.
