Stair question double check

[mike93lx]

So on the electrical panel, I'm estimating about 3 feet above the panel will be clear.

The online calculator tells me about a 10' opening on the mezzanine. No issues there. I will to railing and such to make it all safe.
I plan on a 4' landing at the top/mezzanine which will help with the electrical clearance.

Is there a code minimum for the electrical panel clearance?

Yes, 3' out from the wall and 2.5' total width (including the width of the panel, and the panel does not have to be centered in that 2.5')

 

[MushCreek]

I didn't follow code or conventional design for the stairs in my barn. The rise is 13', so it's a long staircase. I didn't notch the side stringers, gluing and screwing 2X blocks instead. The stringers are fully supported by walls, creating a storage closet underneath. Here's the different part: I have no middle stringers on 42" wide stairs! I made the risers part of the structure, using 3/4" plywood, and gluing and nailing them to the back of each 2X12 tread. They are also glued and fastened to the same blocks that support the treads. The tread rests on the top of the riser below it, and since the riser is strongly attached, it results in a rigid box beam. They are the strongest set of stairs I've ever built. I'm not sure what a building inspector would make of them, but I don't care. I stole the idea from a company that used a similar system, but with metal supports on each end. They seem to have gone out of business, though.

 

[mepstein]

I used this company for my loft stairs. Steel stringer kit. Built and installed in an afternoon. I’m super happy with them.

Fast-Stairs® Stringer Kits | Easy to Use Under 1 Hour

Fast-Stairs® are modular adjustable steel stair stringers for easy stair building in basements, lofts, attics, decks, garages and job sites.

www.fast-stairs.com

 

[dave*99]

I used this company for my lift stairs. Steel stringer kit. Built and installed in an afternoon. I’m super happy with them.

Fast-Stairs® Stringer Kits | Easy to Use Under 1 Hour

Fast-Stairs® are modular adjustable steel stair stringers for easy stair building in basements, lofts, attics, decks, garages and job sites.

www.fast-stairs.com

I see a few of their designs have open risers. I thought code (I'm in NJ) does not allow open risers. None of the stairs (indoors or outdoors) on the houses around me have open risers.

 

[mepstein]

I see a few of their designs have open risers. I thought code (I'm in NJ) does not allow open risers. None of the stairs (indoors or outdoors) on the houses around me have open risers.

They just send the metal stringers. You supply the treads and risers (if you want risers) so you can make them any width you want.

 

[vrinner]

They just send the metal stringers. You supply the treads and risers (if you want risers) so you can make them any width you want.

Checked those out...runs about $600 for the two stringers and hardware. I like the idea of it but from a cost perspective I think wood stringers might end up just being better.

I'll call around to some local stair companies as well and see what they have to offer. It's really just a set of stairs, nothing fancy other than doing storage underneath.

 

[mepstein]

I got into the metal stairs because when I called around, I either didn’t get a call back or was told $1,000 +. And all I wanted was basic garage/shop stairs. I ordered on the weekend, got them on a Wednesday and then installed the next weekend. I don’t worry about stair riser codes in my workshop but risers could be added easily if the next owner has an issue.
No affiliation other than a happy customer.

 

[dave*99]

2 years ago I was looking for basement stairs for my sons house. I can’t remember the exact figure but I remember being impressed with how cheap it was. Like $30 per riser. And they would come out and measure etc. probably double now.