Industrial Stair Nosing
Industrial stair nosing is the leading edge of an industrial stair tread, including any projecting or applied strip, designed to improve footing, visibility, and fall protection. It must meet dimensional, slip-resistance, and visibility requirements per building and OHS codes, such as projection limits of 19-32 mm (IBC) or ≤38 mm (CAN-ASC), curvature radius ≤13 mm, and slip-resistant surfaces.
On a shop floor, stair nosing provides a defined, slip-resistant landing edge, often bolt-on or welded with anti-slip surfaces like serrated steel or abrasive grit, crucial in oily or wet areas. It controls geometry for consistent riser and tread dimensions, as riser height is measured nosing-to-nosing. Nosing improves visibility via high-contrast strips (e.g., 50 mm wide) for low-light conditions. It integrates with maintenance by requiring inspection of wear and fasteners, and in hazardous processes, it must meet higher slip-resistance levels (e.g., R11/P4 for wet areas) based on risk assessment.
Does the BC Building Code require nosings on industrial stairs?
No. BCAB 1792 states the Code does not require a nosing, but when provided, specific provisions apply. Riser height is measured nosing-to-nosing where nosings exist, affecting geometry control. For industrial occupancies, other stair design aspects like guard requirements still apply.
What are the key dimensional controls for stair nosings?
Key controls include: projection typically 19-32 mm (IBC) or ≤38 mm (CAN-ASC); curvature/bevel radius 1.6-14.3 mm (IBC) or ≤13 mm (CAN-ASC); underside slope angle >60° to horizontal (CAN-ASC) or ≤30° from vertical (IBC); and uniformity of projection within the same flight.
What are best-practice slip-resistance requirements for industrial stair nosings?
OSHA/WorkSafeBC require slip-resistant surfaces but not numeric CoF. External guidance (e.g., Australian AS4586) recommends R11 or P4 for wet external stairs and R10 or P3 for internal dry stairs. Industrial nosing products often incorporate abrasive grit or serrated patterns for wet/oily performance, treated as a performance-based benchmark.