Double stacked shipping containers are a popular method of simple secure storage for warehousing. Safe access into the top shipping container however, is always a problem. Whilst we have designed and made numerous bespoke access steps in different configurations to suit differing applications, we have also designed a standard container access step which covers many applications.
The steps platform height is 2540mm which should allow the doors to open above it - Double check though your height! The platform is from 3mm chequerplate and is 1200mm x 1200mm square. Handrails to 1 side of the step and to 2 sides of the platform with kick plates. If changes are made to access options platform sizes will need to be increased, generally to 1350mm x 1350mm. The steps are set on a 45 degree slope which allows you to climb up and down forward facing, important if carrying items.
These mobile container steps sit on wheels so they can be moved around. There is a standard lever brake arm that dis-engages the wheels and sets the legs on the ground to lock the step in place. Note though, that these are big steps and need a lot of room to manouevre around and a fair bit of effort to push and pull.
As standard, these container steps are in a painted finish, blue RAL 5010. We can galavanize them as an option to give a long weatherproof life, but with their size, its not cheap! The steps are made and supplied in 2 sections for transport, a step section and a platform tower. You will need to bolt these together on site. You will need a forklift or similar to unload the steps and to stand them upright for bolting together.
These steps are built to order and we can incorporate some small changes. If you need a substantially different step, we can design and build that, but we need a firm design idea from you. It's an expensive business re-working or modifying steps once they have been delivered...
In order to help you clarify your design, we propose the following questions to consider:
- What platform height? Are your doors to clear the platform?
- How will you initially open the doors?
- Where will the open door go when the step is in use?
- Is access off into the container at 90 degrees or straight through?
- What size platform?
- Is there a section of the container left open and un-guarded?
- What handrails and gates etc?
- Is there enough room to move the step around?
- Is the ground level and surface solid?
A couple of photos of your application will help us, as would a crude or rough sketch.
We build these container steps to order and lead time is typically 2 to 3 weeks
We have made a Container step in the past for a Storage company customer who very kindly offered to take a video of the step in action. Whilst his step was custom made to suit his application, the working principle is still the same. Thank you to Powys Self Storage :-)
Container Step Video
| Platform Height From Ground |
2540mm |
| O/A Length |
3950mm approx |
| Overall Height |
3540mm |
| External Width of Stair Section |
1350mm |
| Overall Width inc side lever brake |
1410mm |
| Platform Size |
1350mm x 1350mm |
| Internal Step Tread Width x depth |
1300mm x 200mm |
| Step Tread Vertical Spacing |
200mm approx |
| Load Capacity |
300kg |
Safety Steps Standard Paint Finish
As standard, our mobile safety steps come painted, using a one coat primer/finish - Zinfos 700CT. This gives good adhesion to the steel with the primer for a long and robust life, and smart finished appearance with a 70% gloss level.
Safety Steps Galvanized Finish
As an optional extra, we are able to offer a galvanized mobile step finish. The galvanized mobile step is dip coated as a fully welded structure so retains its inherent strength and has no nuts & bolts which can loosen over time.
The galvanized zinc coating fully covers the mobile ladder protecting it from the detriments of the outside environment, especially important in external and coastal environments. It is equally useful in food preparation or scientific clean areas where it can be pressure washed regularly and there is no risk of paint flakes.
Standard Punched Steel Step Treads
As standard, our mobile safety steps are fitted with "punched and raised holes" step treads. These treads are highly slip resistant and also shed water off very efficiently.
The step treads are formed from 2mm mild steel and have 9 mm dia punched and 5 mm dia drainage holes in a square pattern. The 9mm holes are "raised" in such a way that the sharp edge of the hole is exposed which grips the sole of a shoe offering high levels of slip resistance. The step treads pass a 15mm ball bearing test - a standard test for steps and grid flooring. The punched and drainage holes give the profile an unsurpassed high strength to weight ratio.
These treads have been tested for slip resistance by the testing company Lucideon in their UKAS accredited testing laboratory. The "Pendulum Test" was originally developed for road surfaces but has grown to include all manner of surfaces such as supermarket floors or swimming pools.
Our step treads were rated as follows:
Dry test: 66 value - Extremely low
Wet test: 50 value - Low
More info on Slip testing and Ceram can be found by here Slip Resistance Testing
Optional Aggressive Tread
This step is more akin to a bear trap! The Aggressive step tread can be identified by oval, serrated holes that provide the top flange of the planks with a very high load capacity, and rolled side flanges that further reinforce the planks and gratings.
This step tread is used where requirements of slip resistance and drainage are high - often in marine environments, industries with oil and water, building sites, etc. Please note, this is an optional extra and also adds an extra week or so to the build time.
Other Treads available
As the mobile steps manufacturer, we can build the steps with whatever treads suit your requirement. This is not of course the cheapest solution. We offer a competitively priced range of standard mobile steps but acknowledge that sometimes price is not the critical factor, but rather design is.
Rubber Treads
Whilst we can make steps with rubber mats stuck on, we no longer offer them as a standard option. They offer no real benefit over the punched steel treads and over time, the glue will invariable fail... a corner lifts... gets caught... gets ripped off.
