ErectaStep Portable Stairs FAQs

ErectaStep OSHA Compliant Portable Stair Models

For private facilities not open to public use. Typically used at construction sites and industrial areas like factory floors and manufacturing spaces where only designated employees work.

Advantages: Requires less space and costs less than IBC compliant stairs.

• 4x4 Platform
• Medium Duty Platform - 50 psf load requirements
• Handrails with standard balusters

Key OSHA Regulations:
Must be designed to carry a load five times greater than the anticipated load, but never less than a load of 1,000 pounds. Both handrails and guardrails must be capable of withstanding a minimum of 200 pounds of pressure applied from any direction at any point along the rails.

• Risers & Tread: 8" open riser, 9.5" tread
• Stair Width: minimum 22"
• Railings & Guardrail: railings on open sides of stairwells and 42" high handrail on the side, preferably right side descending
• Balusters: space between no more than 19" apart
• Landings: landings at the top and bottom typically 4' square
• Door Swing: landing must extend 21" beyond end of door swing (a 36" door requires platform that ends at no less than 57")

ErectaStep IBC Compliant Portable Stair Models

For commercial and residential applications open to the public which may include small children.

Advantages: Portability and compliance with IBC regulations! These stairs are rapidly assembled and suitable for use with temporary housing, classroom trailers and other areas open to the public.

• 4x6 Platform
• Heavy Duty Platform - 100 psf load requirements
• Balusters with 4" spacing

Key OSHA Regulations:

• Risers & Tread: 7 closed riser, max. 4" open gap, 11" tread
• Stair Width: minimum 44" wide (36" wide in areas served by less than 50 people)
• Railings & Guardrail: 42" high and handrails of 34" on both sides of stairwells
• Balusters: space between no more than 4" apart
• Landings: landings at the top and bottom larger than 4' square, also intermediate landing for stairwells over 12' high
• Door Swing: landing must extend 21" beyond end of door swing (a 36" door requires platform that ends at no less than 57")

1. OSHA-P portable units use a standard load of 50 lbs. per square foot
2. IBC-P portable units use a standard load of 100 lbs. per square foot

Portable units are made of a combination of galvanized steel steps and legs and powder coated aluminum rails.

1. The cost of a portable starts with a few questions: What is the walking height or clearance required? Do you need to meet OSHA or IBC standards?
2. Portable units vary in cost on the combinations of products used, but the OSHA-P stair components average about $311 per step while the IBC-P stair average about $648 per stair. The costs are driven by the significant differences in the stair rails for each respective code and the size of the associated platforms and handrails. Each stair has a rise of 7", so you can figure out the walking height required with some simple math. There are differences in both portable platform sizes and handrails. An OSHA-P platform uses a 4'x4' platform (fixed price of $800) and two 4' handrails ($359 each). The IBC-P uses a 4'x6' platform (fixed price $1,576) and a 4' ($614) and 6' ($800) handrail. Finally, both models use legs that vary in cost based on the height of the platform from $728 to $1,470 for sets of four.
3. When combined, an OSHA-P will vary in price from $3,650 to $5,550 based on height before freight and sales taxes.
4. When combined, an IBC-P will vary in price from $6,750 to $9,600 based on height before freight and sales taxes.

Yes, the legs can be adjusted a few inches to compensate for inconsistencies in the surface.

No, they cannot be connected as designed. Ask us about field-modification if this is an issue.

1. The 28", 35" and 42" in height models do not need to be anchored. The 49", 56" and 63" models require anchors.
2. The depth of the anchor, the size of bolts and the type of bolts should be determined by examining ambient conditions (indoor, outdoor, etc), the depth and area of the concrete base and the size of the platform. Generally, the larger/higher platforms will require longer or sturdier anchors. Anchors should be 5" or longer and should be absolutely no closer than 4" from the closest concrete edge to avoid cracking the concrete. For outdoor applications, you should choose a galvanized anchor. For indoor, you could choose galvanized, zinc plated or stainless anchors.

Portable units are not “stock” items but can be ordered and delivered with a few weeks lead time.

Portable units are mostly made of steel, so they are heavier than standard ErectaStep aluminum components. Each component can still be carried by two adults.

The walking height for portable units is right in the part/model number you order: 28", 35", 42", 49", 56" or 63".

Subtract 5" from the walking height on the model number to determine clearance.

No.

All portable units use a 7" rise and 11" run.