GA JOHNSON BUILDING – ST. PAUL, MN

We had the pleasure of manufacturing this engineered stair (Joe Cain – Mattson Macdonald Young) for TCHDC at their GA Johnson property on Payne Avenue in Saint Paul. This hot dip, galvanized steel stair replaced an aging wooden structure that had exceeded it’s service life.

The steel stair was delivered in February 2012 in 17 large fabrications to the general contractor Watson-Forsberg Co. and was ultimately assembled by Bald Eagle Erectors. Five nearly identical stair flights complete with treads and railing system, three platforms, five cross beams and four columns were built in our Broadway Street shop using a mock up assembly of the actual column/cross beam plan. They were then hot dip galvanized in 50 foot long, 10 foot deep “kettles” at AZZ Galvanizing Services new plant in Winstead Minnesota. The closed riser stair tread is formed 3/16″ thick safety decking (a.k.a. diamond plate or checker plate) and a unique “hanger/guard rail” is used to support the platforms without a column.

A 105″ high cage with lockable gate secures the roof access ladder. The “hook” ladder was also supplied for this project. Please note the rail system integrates a 36″ high grip-able hand rail with a 42″ high guard… rail in accordance with the most recent construction codes. Only two weld connections were required to join each stair flight at the landings. Landings were bolted at the cross beams and attached to the building with epoxy anchored studs.

The design is extremely efficient while at the same time being sturdy and maintenance free.