ADA vs OSHA vs IBC Stairs: Which Standard Does Your Facility Need?
Different stairs follow different codes, and it comes down to who uses them, not just what kind of building they’re in. Employee-only access, such as most warehouse loading dock entrances, typically falls under OSHA. Public entrances, like a school’s main doors, fall under ADA. New commercial construction is generally governed by IBC. Many sites need to comply with more than one at the same time. National Ramp designs and installs commercial stair compliance solutions built to meet all three standards — with quotes turned around in hours and installation typically completed within days.
ADA, OSHA, and IBC Stair Requirements at a Glance
Not every stairway is governed by the same code. ADA, OSHA, and IBC each cover different environments and different users, which means the requirements vary depending on where and how the stairs are used. The table below outlines the key differences.
| ADA | OSHA | IBC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applies to | Public-access buildings and spaces | Workplaces and employee areas | Commercial buildings under construction or major renovation |
| Typical settings | Schools, hospitals, retail, government | Warehouses, loading docks, mezzanines, industrial facilities | New commercial construction |
| Stair width | 36″ minimum clear width | 22″ minimum between vertical barriers | 44″ minimum (occupant load of 50 or more) |
| Rise and tread | 5″ to 7″ rise, 11″ minimum tread depth | 6.5″ to 9.5″ rise, 9.5″ minimum tread depth, variation under 1/4″ between risers | 7″ maximum rise, 11″ minimum tread depth |
| Handrails | 34″ to 38″, continuous, 1.5″ clearance from wall | Required for 4 or more risers | Required on both sides for stairs 44″ or wider |
| Surface | Slip-resistant, COF 0.6 minimum | Slip-resistant, COF 0.5 minimum | Slip-resistant treads required |
| National Ramp installs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Which Stair Code Applies to Your Building?
The answer depends on who’s using the stairs and what the space is used for.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart D governs stairs in workplaces and industrial facilities, including equipment access points, loading docks, and mezzanines. If employees use the stairs as part of their daily work, OSHA stair requirements apply.
ADA standards cover stairs that members of the public need to use, including entrances, restrooms, and common areas in schools, hospitals, retail buildings, and government facilities. Any facility providing public access needs to meet ADA compliant stair installation requirements.
IBC applies to most new commercial construction and major renovations. If you’re building new or making significant structural changes, IBC stair codes apply alongside any ADA or OSHA requirements.
Many facilities fall under more than one standard. Our team can review your site and confirm which codes apply before we quote, so there’s no guesswork on your end.
Not sure which applies? Get in touch and we’ll confirm in minutes.
Why Contractors and Facility Managers Choose National Ramp
Our commercial stairs are in stock, built to code, and backed by a team that knows how to get projects over the line. Here’s what that means in practice:
Speed
Quote and design turned around within hours of your site details coming through.
Fast installation
Factory-trained installation teams have commercial access stairs operational within days of approval.
Local stock
We maintain warehouse inventory across North America, so supply delays don’t hold your project up.
Quality
All stairs are manufactured in the USA from heavy-duty aluminum, built to code and built to last.
Nationwide reach
More than 1,000 local installers across North America.
ADA covers public accessibility. It ensures that people with disabilities can safely use stairs in public buildings and shared spaces. OSHA covers employee safety in workplaces, with its own requirements around handrail height, tread slip resistance, and stair angle. The two standards are separate but can apply to the same facility in different areas. A hospital, for example, may need to meet ADA requirements in public corridors and OSHA stair requirements in plant rooms and service areas.
IBC applies to most new commercial construction and major renovations in the US. If you’re building new or making substantial changes to an existing structure, IBC requirements apply alongside any applicable ADA or OSHA standards. Our team can confirm which codes govern your project before we start.
Yes. Many of our projects require simultaneous compliance with ADA, OSHA, and IBC. We design to the most stringent overlapping requirements, so you pass all relevant inspections with a single installation.
In most cases, we turn around a quote within hours of receiving your site details. Once you approve, our factory-trained installation teams typically have your stairs operational within days. We keep in-stock inventory across North America to avoid supply delays.
All our stairs are built from heavy-duty aluminum. It’s strong, maintenance-free, and holds up in both indoor and outdoor environments without rusting or corroding. Every component is factory-fabricated for a clean, fast installation with no on-site welding required.
Contact Us Today
After you provide us with your site details and a plan, we’ll design your stairs and turn around a quote quickly. Once you approve, installation starts fast.