Section 9: Stairs, Ladders, ramps, Walkways, Platforms, and Hatches

SECTION 9 Stairs, Ladders, Ramps, Walkways, Platforms,

and Hatches

1 General (1 August 2013)

1.1 Application
The principles and guidelines of this Section apply to the design of stairs, vertical ladders, ramps, walkways,
work platforms, and hatches. Criteria are also provided for handles.

2 Principles

2.1 Use
Stairs, vertical ladders, and ramps should be provided whenever operators or maintainers must change elevation
abruptly by more than 300 mm (12 in.). These structures should be used, when appropriate, for passage
over low objects (e.g., pipes, lines, ridges).

2.2 Selection
The selection of stairs, vertical ladders or ramps should be based on the purpose, frequency of use, and angle
of ascent. See Section 9, Table 1, Selection of Access Type for related guidance on angle of inclination.

TABLE 1
Selection of Access Type
Angle of Inclination Preferred Angles
Type (in Degrees) of Inclination
(in Degrees)
Stairs 30 50 38
Inclined Ladders 50 60 Not Used
Vertical Ladders 75 90 75 85
Ramps for Personnel 7 15 7 15
Ramps for Materials Handling 4 7 4

2.3 Operations Requirements

Requirements for operations access should be determined as follows:
i) Stairs are the most appropriate means for changing from one walking or work surface to another
when space is available. Examples of where stair access is recommended include:
When operations activities require regular travel between levels or decks by personnel
When access is required to elevated work platforms (e.g., mezzanines) daily, or at least once a
shift
When quick escape may be needed from elevated work areas or platforms where personnel could
be exposed to caustics, chemicals, gases, or other toxic materials
When employees could be hand-carrying heavy or bulky tools and/or equipment

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Section 9 Stairs, Ladders, Ramps, Walkways, Platforms, and Hatches

ii) Ramps may be preferred in the following situations when the change in vertical elevation exceeds
610 mm (24 in.) in height:
To move people, vehicles, or materials. In these circumstances, the angle of inclination should
be 15 degrees or less for foot traffic and 7 degrees or less for vehicles and materials.
When a ramp would allow more efficient egress along an emergency access/egress route, as
long as the angle of inclination is 15 degrees or less.
iii) When space is unavailable for stairs or a ramp, access may be provided using separate steps or a
vertical ladder.

2.4 Maintenance Requirements

Maintenance access requirements should be determined as follows:
i) Stairs are recommended when access is required to elevated work platforms (e.g., mezzanines)
one or more times per day.
ii) Where the maintainer must carry bulky loads or loads in excess of 13 kg (29 lbs), a ramp or elevator
should be provided. Alternatively, access may be provided for personnel via stairs, steps, or ladders,
as long an adequate lifting mechanism is provided for the load.
iii) Ramps, elevators, or equivalent means should be provided when maintainers must transport heavy
or bulky equipment.
iv) Ladders should not be used when maintainers carry equipment because both hands should be free
to grasp and climb ladders.

2.5 Emergency Access

Stairs should be the primary mean of egress from spaces. However in areas where two means of egress
(e.g., mezzanine deck) are provided, a vertical ladder can be used as the secondary egress means.
i) Restrictions. A ladder leading to a deck scuttle is not used as a means of escape except on vessels
less than 19.8 m (65 ft) in length, or as not more than one of the means of escape from any crew
accommodations space or work space.
ii) Dimensions. Each ladder used as a means of escape should have the following design features:
The ladder is mounted at least 205 mm (8 in.) from the nearest permanent object in the back
of the ladder.
Rungs are at least 410 mm (16 in.) in width.
Rungs are between 275 mm (11 in.) and 300 mm (12 in.) apart.
Rungs are uniformly spaced for the length of the ladder.

3 Stairs

3.1 General (1 August 2013)

The following are general requirements for stairs:
i) Stairs are appropriate means for changing from one walking surface to another when the change in
vertical elevation is greater than 600 mm (23.5 in.).
ii) Stairs should be provided in lieu of ladders or ramps in accommodations spaces, office spaces or
to the navigational bridge.
iii) The angle of inclination should be sufficient to provide the riser height and tread depth that follows,
with a minimum angle of 38 degrees and maximum angle of 45.
iv) Stairs exposed to the elements should have additional slip resistance due to potential exposure to
water and ice.

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Section 9 Stairs, Ladders, Ramps, Walkways, Platforms, and Hatches

v) Stairs should be used in living quarters instead of inclined ladders.

vi) No impediments or tripping hazards should intrude into the climbing spaces of stairs (for example,
electrical boxes, valves, actuators or piping).
vii) No impediments or tripping hazards should impede access to stair landings (for example, piping
runs over the landing or combings/retention barriers).

3.2 Stair Risers and Treads (1 August 2013)

Stair risers and treads should have the following design:
i) A riser height should be no more than 230 mm (9 in.) and a tread depth of 280 mm (11 in.),
including a 25 mm (1 in.) tread nosing (step overhang).
ii) For stairs, the depth of the tread and the height of riser should be consistent.
iii) Minimum tread width on one-way (where there is expected to be only one person transiting,
ascending or descending stairway) stairs shall be at least 700 mm (27.5 in.)
iv) Minimum tread width on two-way (where there may be two persons, ascending and descending,
or passing in opposite directions) stairs shall be at least 900 mm (35.5 in.)
v) Once a minimum tread width has been established at any deck in that stair run, it should not decrease
in the direction of egress.
vi) Nosings should have a non-slip/skid surface that should have a coefficient of friction (COF) of 0.6
or greater measured when wet.
Stairs serving accommodations and those in the escape route should be a minimum of 1120 mm (44 in.) in
width. Other stairs should be a minimum of 915 mm (36 in.). However, infrequently used stairs may be
710 mm (28 in) in width.

FIGURE 1
Stair Step Riser and Tread Design (1 August 2013)
Dimension Requirements
A Tread Depth 280 mm (11.0 in.)
B Vertical distance between steps 230 mm (9.0 in.)
C Step overhang distance 25 mm (1.0 in.)
D Steps angle of inclination 38 to 45 degrees

Step

B C

Step

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