COMPLETE REVISION

November 2019

Structural

PIP STF05511
Standard Stairs Fabrication Details
 PURPOSE AND USE OF PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES

In an effort to minimize the cost of process industry facilities, this Practice has been
prepared from the technical requirements in the existing standards of major industrial users,
contractors, or standards organizations. By harmonizing these technical requirements into a
single set of Practices, administrative, application, and engineering costs to both the
purchaser and the manufacturer should be reduced. While this Practice is expected to
incorporate the majority of requirements of most users, individual applications may involve
requirements that will be appended to and take precedence over this Practice. Determinations
concerning fitness for purpose and particular matters or application of the Practice to
particular project or engineering situations should not be made solely on information
contained in these materials. The use of trade names from time to time should not be viewed
as an expression of preference but rather recognized as normal usage in the trade. Other
brands having the same specifications are equally correct and may be substituted for those
named. All Practices or guidelines are intended to be consistent with applicable laws and
regulations including OSHA requirements. To the extent these Practices or guidelines should
conflict with OSHA or other applicable laws or regulations, such laws or regulations must be
followed. Consult an appropriate professional before applying or acting on any material
contained in or suggested by the Practice.

This Practice is subject to revision at any time.

© Process Industry Practices (PIP), Construction Industry Institute, The University of Texas at
Austin, 3925 West Braker Lane (R4500), Austin, Texas 78759. PIP Member Companies and
Subscribers may copy this Practice for their internal use. Changes or modifications of any kind
are not permitted within any PIP Practice without the express written authorization of PIP.
Authorized Users may attach addenda or overlays to clearly indicate modifications or
exceptions to specific sections of PIP Practices. Authorized Users may provide their clients,
suppliers and contractors with copies of the Practice solely for Authorized Users’ purposes.
These purposes include but are not limited to the procurement process (e.g., as attachments to
requests for quotation/ purchase orders or requests for proposals/contracts) and preparation and
issue of design engineering deliverables for use on a specific project by Authorized User’s
client. PIP’s copyright notices must be clearly indicated and unequivocally incorporated in
documents where an Authorized User desires to provide any third party with copies of the
Practice.

PUBLISHING HISTORY
April 2002 Issued
January 2017 Technical Correction
November 2019 Complete Revision

Not printed with State funds

 COMPLETE REVISION
November 2019

Structural

PIP STF05511
Standard Stairs Fabrication Details
Table of Contents
1. Scope ............................................. 2
2. References .................................... 2
2.1 Process Industry Practices ................... 2
2.2 Industry Codes and Standards ............. 2

3. Definitions ..................................... 2
4. Requirements ................................ 3

Drawings
STF05511-01 – Typical Standard Stair Plan
& Elevation
STF05511-02 – Stair Tower – Typical Plan
STF05511-03 – Typical Stair Assembly
STF05511-04 – Stair Section A-A
STF05511-05 – Stair Section B-B
STF05511-06 – Stair Section C-C
STF05511-07 – Intermediate Landing -
Elevation
STF05511-08 – Typical Stile - Elevation

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PIP STF05511 COMPLETE REVISION
Standard Stairs Fabrication Details November 2019

1. Scope
This Practice provides requirements and details for fabrication of standard stairs for open
structures and miscellaneous platforms and stiles for regular operational access/egress to be used
in process industry facilities.

2. References
Applicable parts of the following Practices and industry codes and standards shall be considered
an integral part of this Practice. The edition in effect on the date of contract award shall be used,
except as otherwise noted. Short titles will be used herein where appropriate.

2.1 Process Industry Practices (PIP)

– PIP STF05520 - Pipe Guards and Handrails Fabrication Details
– PIP STF05521 - Angle Guards and Handrails Fabrication Details
– PIP STF05530 - Grating Fabrication Details
– PIP STI03310 - Concrete General Notes and Typical Details
– PIP STS05120 - Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Fabrication Specification
2.2 Industry Codes and Standards

• American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)

– ANSI/AISC 303-16 - Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges

3. Definitions
contract documents: Any and all documents, including codes, studies, design documents,
specifications, sketches, practices, and data sheets, that purchaser or engineer of record has
transmitted or otherwise communicated, either by incorporation or reference, and made part of
the legal contract agreement or purchase order between purchaser and stair fabricator

design documents: The design drawings, or where the parties have agreed in the contract
documents to provide digital model(s), the design model. A combination of drawings and digital
models also may be provided.

design drawings: The graphic and pictorial portions of the contract documents showing the
design, location and dimensions of the work. These documents generally include, but are not
necessarily limited to, plans, elevations, sections, details, schedules, diagrams and notes.

design model: A dimensionally accurate 3D digital model of the structure that conveys the
structural steel requirements given in Section 3.1 of ANSI/AISC 303-16 for the building or structure

engineer of record: Purchaser’s authorized representative with overall authority and

responsibility for engineering design, quality, and performance of civil works, structures,
foundations, materials, and appurtenances described in contract documents. Engineer of record is
licensed as defined by laws of the locality in which the work is to be constructed, and is qualified
to practice in the specialty discipline required for the work described in contract documents.

guard: A vertical protective barrier erected along exposed edges of stairs, balconies, and similar areas

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PIP STF05511 COMPLETE REVISION
Standard Stairs Fabrication Details November 2019

handrail: A bar, pipe, or similar member designed to furnish persons with a handhold

owner: Party who has authority through ownership, lease, or other legal agreement over site,
facility, structure, or project wherein stairs will be used
purchaser: Party who awards contract to stair fabricator. Purchaser may be owner or owner’s
authorized agent.
stair fabricator: Party responsible for providing fabricated stairs in accordance with contract
documents. The term stair fabricator applies also to stair fabricator’s subcontractor(s) and/or
vendor(s).
stairways (stairs): Risers and treads that connect one level with another, and includes any
landings and platforms in between those levels. Stairways include standard, spiral, alternating
tread-type, and ship stairs. In this Practice when the term “stairs” is used, it is referring only to
“standard stairs.”
standard stairs: A fixed or permanently installed stairway. Ship, spiral, and alternating tread-type
stairs are not considered standard stairs. In this Practice when the term “stairs” is used, it is
referring to “standard stairs.”
stile: A means of access or egress over an obstruction composed of an ascending stair, a top
landing and a descending stair.
toe plate: A low protective barrier that is designed to prevent materials, tools, and equipment
from falling to a lower level, and protect employees from falling

4. Requirements
4.1 Stairs and stiles shall be fabricated in accordance with PIP STS05120, this Practice and
fabrication detail drawings STF05511-01 through STF05511-08.
4.2 The project design documents and other contract documents specify the following
information:
a. Location, orientation, and arrangement of stairs and stiles, including height
between landings
b. Stair width
c. Stringer layout and size
d. Requirements for cross-beams and horizontal bracing (if any) between stringers
e. Riser and tread dimensions
f. Special fabrication details
g. Any modifications to requirements of this Practice
4.3 Unless otherwise specified, all materials for stairs and stiles shall be steel in accordance
with PIP STS05120.
4.4 Metric equivalents for plates, bars and structural shapes shall be as specified in contract
documents as applicable.
4.5 All welds shall be smooth, continuous, and sealed.

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Standard Stairs Fabrication Details November 2019

4.6 Unless otherwise specified, stair and stile assemblies shall be galvanized after fabrication
in accordance with PIP STS05120.
4.7 Guards and handrails for stairs and stiles shall be in accordance with requirements of
PIP STF05520 or PIP STF05521 as applicable and as specified in contract documents.
4.8 Grating for landings at stairs and stiles shall be in accordance with requirements of PIP
STF05530.
4.9 Stair pads at the bottom of stairs and stiles shall be in accordance with requirements of
PIP STI03310.

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