Emergency Exit Steel Staircase: Requirements to Confirm Before Buying

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An emergency exit steel staircase must be confirmed against the building's approved fire and safety plans before purchase. Buyers should check width, rise and tread dimensions, landing placement, handrail and guard design, and the materials' fire and corrosion performance. Exact values should always be verified with the project engineer and the local authority.

Confirm the Approved Escape Route Plan

Before ordering any emergency exit steel staircase, obtain the approved fire and safety plan for the building. The plan shows where the staircase must be located, how it connects to the escape route, and which floors it serves. A staircase that looks correct on site can still fail inspection if it does not match the approved drawings.

Ask the manufacturer to work from these drawings and to note any deviation in writing before fabrication starts.

Check Width, Rise and Tread Dimensions

Escape staircases are judged on clear width, riser height and tread depth, as well as how consistent these are from the first step to the last. Uneven steps are a common cause of falls during evacuation, so consistency matters as much as the individual figures.

Clear width between handrails
Riser height and tread depth, uniform throughout
Headroom above the flight and landings

Exact values should be confirmed with the engineer against the current code requirements for your building type.

Review Landings and Changes of Direction

Landings provide rest points and room for people to turn safely during an evacuation. Confirm the landing length, the position of any turns, and whether doors open onto the landing in a way that could obstruct the route. Winder steps, which change direction without a flat landing, need extra scrutiny because they are harder to use quickly under stress.

Specify Handrails and Guards

Handrails must be graspable, continuous where required, and fixed securely enough to support a person leaning or falling against them. Guards along open sides must be tall enough and have openings small enough to prevent falls and the passage of a small child. The Israeli railing standard SI 1142 is the general reference for railing design, but the specific measurements should be checked with the engineer for your project.

Ask for the handrail profile, fixing method and load assumptions to be written into the specification.

Verify Materials, Fire Performance and Finish

Steel stairs for escape routes are often required to meet specific fire resistance expectations, and the finish affects durability in stairwells that see heavy use or moisture. Ask which steel grade is used, how the members are protected against corrosion, and what finish is applied. Hot-dip galvanizing and powder coating are common choices for long service life, and the manufacturer should be able to explain how each is applied.

Request documentation for any fire-related claims rather than relying on verbal assurances.

Plan Installation and Inspection Steps

Confirm who is responsible for anchoring the staircase, checking alignment, and coordinating with the structural and finishing trades. Fixings must suit the substrate, and the staircase should be checked for level, plumb and firm connection before finishes are applied. Schedule an inspection so that any corrections are made before the staircase is signed off and brought into use.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an engineer to approve an emergency exit steel staircase?

In most projects a structural or fire engineer should review the design and loads before fabrication. Their sign-off protects the building owner and makes inspection smoother.

Can a standard staircase be used as an emergency exit?

Not always. Escape staircases usually have stricter requirements for width, enclosure and handrails than general-use stairs, so the design must be checked against the approved plan.

Which document should I give the manufacturer first?

Provide the approved fire and safety plan together with architectural drawings and the site measurements. This lets the manufacturer produce a specification that matches what the authority has already approved.

Is galvanizing necessary for stairwell steelwork?

It is not always mandatory, but galvanizing or another corrosion protection is strongly advisable for exterior or humid stairwells. Discuss the environment with the manufacturer to choose the right protection.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is ordering from a drawing that does not match the approved fire plan, leading to rework or a failed inspection. Another is treating handrails and landings as afterthoughts instead of confirming them in the written specification.

Our recommendation

Send the approved escape plan and site measurements to the manufacturer at the start, and ask for a written drawing and specification to approve before production. Have the project engineer check the key dimensions before any steel is cut.

Summary

Confirm the approved plan, dimensions, landings, handrails, materials and installation steps in writing before ordering an emergency exit steel staircase.

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