SMB Stair
The SMB Stair is a steel mesh barrier designed to follow the angle of a staircase, providing continuous stair edge protection during construction. Standard Steel Mesh Barriers are designed for horizontal or near-horizontal surfaces; the SMB Stair is engineered with a geometry that matches the stair pitch, so the barrier tracks the line of the stair rather than stepping in and out of alignment. The unit weighs 14.1 kg and is compatible with standard Combisafe Safety Posts and Stair Attachments.
Working at Height Regulations 2005 apply to staircases under construction in the same way they apply to any other working at height situation. Duty holders are required to provide edge protection at staircase edges wherever a person falling over the edge would fall 2 m or more. The SMB Stair satisfies this obligation by providing a barrier that tracks the stair angle continuously, eliminating the gaps in protection that arise when standard horizontal barriers are used on staircases.
Where the stair geometry leaves a residual gap between the SMB Stair and an adjacent barrier, the SMB Gap Closer (code 37114, 2.4 kg) fills the gap without requiring a custom-cut infill. The all-in-one guardrail and mesh construction of the SMB Stair also allows natural light to pass through, keeping stairwells bright during construction and reducing the risk of trips on poorly lit stair edges.
Key features and benefits
Purpose-engineered to follow the stair pitch angle, providing continuous staircase edge protection without gaps
14.1 kg steel construction with integrated guardrail and debris mesh in a single unit
Compatible with standard Combisafe Safety Posts and Stair Attachment fixings
SMB Gap Closer (code 37114, 2.4 kg) fills residual gaps at stair junctions
Supports compliance with the Working at Height Regulations 2005 at staircase edges
Allows natural light transmission through mesh construction, reducing stairwell lighting risk
Quick and simple installation without specialist tools
Available through Altrad Generation's UK and Ireland branch network on hire or for purchase
Frequently asked questions
Q: How do you protect staircase edges during construction?
A: Staircase edges during construction require edge protection that follows the stair pitch rather than stepping horizontally across the opening. The SMB Stair fits this requirement by tracking the stair angle continuously between posts. Safety Posts are fixed at each end of the stair run using Stair Attachments, and the SMB Stair panels lock between the posts. Where a gap remains at the top or bottom of the stair run, an SMB Gap Closer (code 37114) fills the remaining opening.
Q: What is a steel mesh barrier for stairs?
A: A steel mesh barrier for stairs is an edge protection panel engineered to match the angle of a staircase. Unlike a standard Steel Mesh Barrier, which sits horizontally between posts, the SMB Stair follows the stair pitch so the barrier remains parallel to the stair surface along the full length of the stair run. The Combisafe SMB Stair includes integrated guardrails and debris mesh in a single 14.1 kg unit, compatible with the same Safety Posts and fixings used across the broader Combisafe system.
Q: Is edge protection required on construction staircases?
A: The Working at Height Regulations 2005 require edge protection wherever a person working at height could fall 2 m or more. This includes staircase edges where the stairs are open to a fall on one or both sides. The duty holder, typically the principal contractor, must provide collective edge protection as the first preference in the hierarchy of controls. The SMB Stair provides that collective protection at staircase edges, satisfying the regulatory obligation while allowing workers to use the staircase during construction.
Get in touch with us
To hire or purchase the SMB Stair, contact your nearest Altrad Generation branch. Our teams across the UK and Ireland provide technical guidance on staircase edge protection configurations and deliver the full Combisafe system direct to site.
