Steel Stair Cores and Lift Frames for Shared Buildings

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A steel stair core or lift frame is a custom steel structure that carries stairs, landings and lift shafts in a shared building. For building committees, it is ordered through a measured drawing, a written specification, and approval before fabrication at our Tel Aviv factory. This keeps the structure matched to the actual building and simplifies installation.

What a Steel Stair Core Does in a Shared Building

A steel stair core is the central vertical structure that carries the stair flights, landings and sometimes a lift shaft. In older shared buildings, where the existing staircase is worn or lacks space for a lift, a new steel core can give residents safer and more accessible vertical movement.

Because the core connects to the existing floor slabs, its design depends on how the building is built. This is why we start every project with a site visit rather than a standard catalogue layout.

How a Building Committee Should Start the Order

The most useful first step is a set of clear photos of the existing staircase, the landings and the area where the lift would sit. Include the floor heights, the available shaft width and any access limits in the entrance hall or courtyard.

Photos of each floor and the stair area
Approximate floor-to-floor height
Notes on access for installation trucks and cranes
Any approved plans from the building file

On-Site Measurement and Drawings

After reviewing the photos, our team visits the building to measure the openings, slab edges and fixing points. Accurate measurement is what prevents mismatches when the structure arrives on site.

From these measurements we prepare a drawing and a written specification covering dimensions, steel sections, connections and finishes. The committee reviews and approves these documents before any steel is cut, so the scope is agreed in writing from the start.

Fabrication and Finishing at Our Factory

Once approved, the core is fabricated in our Tel Aviv factory on Rival Street, which has operated since 1945 and is run today by the third generation of the family. Pieces are cut, welded and assembled to the approved drawing, then finished for outdoor and shared-area conditions.

Hot-dip galvanizing and powder coating are common choices for stairwells and exposed steel, as they protect the structure in humid coastal weather and reduce future maintenance in common areas.

Installation and Coordination with the Engineer

Installation is planned around the building's daily use, with the stairwell kept as safe as possible for residents during works. The structure is fixed to the existing slabs at the points shown in the approved drawing.

Load-bearing and safety checks are handled with the structural engineer. Where standards apply, such as the Israeli railing standard SI 1142, exact values are confirmed with the engineer rather than assumed.

Planning Your Project with Us

Ordering a steel core is simpler when the committee keeps one contact person and gathers all building documents early. Our process runs in order: inquiry with photos, on-site measurement, drawing and specification, committee approval, factory production, finishing, and installation.

Each stage ends with written confirmation, so the committee always knows what has been agreed before the next step begins.

Frequently asked questions

Can a steel stair core be added to an existing building?

Yes, in many cases it can be fixed to existing slabs once the structure and fixing points are checked. The structural engineer confirms whether the existing building can accept the new load.

Do we need approved building plans before ordering?

Approved plans help, but they are not always required to start. Our site measurement and the engineer's review can establish the needed information.

Can a lift frame be combined with a steel stair core?

Yes, the lift frame and stair core are often designed together so that the shaft and stair flights share one coordinated structure. This reduces conflicts during installation.

Who approves the drawings before production starts?

The building committee approves the drawing and written specification before fabrication begins. Production only starts after this written approval.

Common mistakes to avoid

Committees often send only a single photo or skip the site measurement, which leads to dimensions that do not fit the real staircase. Ordering before the structural engineer has reviewed the fixing points can also cause costly changes later.

Our recommendation

Gather photos, floor heights and building documents first, and assign one committee contact to approve each stage in writing. Involve the structural engineer before the drawing is final, not after the steel is made.

Summary

A steel stair core or lift frame suits shared buildings that need safer or more accessible vertical movement. A measured drawing, written approval and engineer review keep the project on track from start to finish.

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