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AS 1657 2018 Overview for Fixed Platforms, Walkways, Stairways and Ladders
This Tech Talk Tuesday session provides a general overview of AS 1657:2018 and how it relates to fixed platforms, walkways, stairways, ladders and guardrails. The speaker makes it clear that the session is general guidance only, not Standards Australia commentary, building certification advice or project specific design advice.
Standards Australia lists AS 1657:2018 under the title Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation. The standard sets requirements for the design, selection, construction and installation of fixed access systems, including platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders.
The session covers several practical AS 1657 topics, including minimum loading, deflection, platform and walkway dimensions, dropped object requirements, stairway geometry, ladder selection, guardrail loading and access type selection based on slope. It also explains where FRP grating, FRP stair treads, FRP ladders and FRP guardrails can support safer, corrosion resistant access structures when designed to the correct requirements.
Key Benefits
Clearer understanding of AS 1657 requirements
The webinar gives engineers, asset owners and contractors a practical overview of the access elements covered by AS 1657, including platforms, walkways, stairways, ladders, step type ladders, guardrails and toeboards.
Better load consideration during design
The session explains that AS 1657 minimum loads should not be treated as the only loads that matter. If a platform will support a known real world load, such as a heavy motor, mixer drive or equipment item, that actual load must be considered because it may exceed the minimum platform or walkway load.
Practical deflection guidance beyond minimum compliance
The speaker notes that although the standard permits certain deflection limits, Treadwell often prefers tighter deflection limits for user comfort, such as span over 250 or limits of around 10 mm for industrial platforms and 5 mm for public walkways. This helps create access structures that feel more stable in use.
Reduced trip hazard risk between floor panels
The session highlights the 5 mm maximum variation between floor panels. This is especially important for FRP grating panels that may deflect under load, because adjacent panel edges may need to be fixed together or supported to avoid creating a height difference that could become a trip hazard.
Dropped object compliance through mini mesh FRP grating
Where people can access or work beneath a platform, landing or walkway, the session notes that a 15 mm ball should not pass through the surface. Treadwell’s mini mesh FRP grating, with a 13 mm clear opening, is presented as a way to support this requirement without adding secondary mesh underneath steel grating.
Improved slip resistance for walking surfaces
Walking surfaces need to be slip resistant. The session notes that Treadwell FRP grating includes an anti slip surface as standard, and retrofit anti slip solutions may be added where existing steel, aluminium, stainless steel or other surfaces have become slippery.
Better access type selection by slope
The webinar explains how AS 1657 separates access systems by slope, including level walkways, sloping walkways, stairways, unsafe zones, step type ladders and rung type ladders. This helps designers select the right access form rather than forcing one solution into every site condition.
Guardrail and toeboard awareness
The session outlines guardrail height, mid rail spacing, toeboard loading and deflection considerations. This helps project teams understand that guardrails are not only visual barriers, but load carrying safety systems that need to be designed and checked.
FRP system support for AS 1657 applications
Treadwell states that its RailEX FRP handrail mounting brackets have been developed to comply with standards, with testing undertaken to conform to AS 1657:2018. Treadwell also positions its FRP solutions as durable, dependable and supported by practical calculations and application data.
Applications
- Industrial platforms and access landings
AS 1657 applies to fixed access structures such as platforms and landings used in industrial, maintenance and operational settings. The session explains minimum walking surface width, headroom, slope, floor panel variation, standing space and toeboard requirements that need to be considered during platform design. - FRP walkways and sloping access routes
The webinar explains that level walkways generally fall within 0 to 3 degrees, while sloping walkways can extend further, with cleats required above certain slopes. FRP grating may provide high slip resistance, but designers still need to consider AS 1657 requirements because slip test performance does not automatically override cleat requirements. - Access around tanks, mixers and mechanical equipment
Where a walkway or platform is built to access a motor, mixer, agitator, drive unit or other equipment, the actual equipment load may be higher than the standard minimum load. The session encourages designers to consider real maintenance and operational loads early. - Dropped object risk areas
Platforms and walkways above areas where people may pass or work require attention to dropped object openings. The webinar gives an example where a platform less than 2 m high was still considered accessible underneath, meaning the dropped object requirement still needed to be addressed. - FRP stairways and stair treads
Stairways must consider minimum width, number of rises, riser tolerance, contrasting nosing, tread depth, going, riser range and landing requirements. FRP stair treads can be used where these dimensional and loading requirements are properly designed into the stair arrangement. - Step type ladders and rung type ladders
The session explains the slope ranges where step type ladders and rung type ladders are generally selected. It also covers ladder style width, rung diameter, rung spacing, top and bottom rung positioning and cage requirements where fall distance triggers additional protection. - Water tanks and special access cases
The presenter discusses a water storage tank ladder where a cage would technically be expected, but the client considered the cage an obstruction for divers using oxygen equipment. This example shows why project specific risk discussions are needed where strict compliance and practical safety considerations may conflict. - Guardrails, mid rails and toeboards
The session covers minimum guardrail height, mid rail requirements, lower rail spacing, rail loading and toeboard loading. These details are relevant for FRP handrails and guardrails used on platforms, walkways, stairs and industrial access structures. - Non public industrial access routes
During Q&A, the speaker notes that AS 1657 is generally interpreted as applying to non public access settings such as treatment plants, mine processing plants, rail maintenance facilities and back of house access. Public stairways may instead need review under other standards such as AS 2156, AS 1428, the National Construction Code or project specific certification pathways.
Key Moments
- 03:41 📜 AS 1657 2018 covers design, construction and installation of fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders.
- 04:38 ⚖️ National Construction Code takes precedence; standard loadings are minimums—apply higher real-world loads where known (e.g. equipment weight).
- 05:33 📏 Stairways/landings designed for dead load plus minimum 2.5 kPa UDL live load; max deflection span/100 or 40 mm.
- 06:28 🪜 Treads designed for 2.2 kN/m line load or 1.5 kN concentrated load over 100×100 mm (whichever is worse).
- 06:44 📐 Platforms/landings: max 3° slope any direction, max 5 mm panel variation, minimum 600 mm clear width, 2 000 mm headroom, slip-resistant surface.
- 08:10 🛡️ 15 mm drop-ball test applies where persons work below platforms/walkways (e.g. mini-mesh grating).
- 10:19 🦶 Toe boards required where objects could fall; provide 600 mm clear standing space free of door swings or obstacles.
- 11:01 🚶 Walkways: max 3° for level, max 20° sloping; cleats required on slopes >10°.
- 12:55 📍 Means of access by slope: level/slopping walkways 0–20°, stairways 20–45° (preferred 30–38°), step-type ladders 60–70°, rung ladders 70–90°.
- 16:47 🪜 Stairways: minimum 600 mm width, 2–18 risers, landings every 18 risers, riser tolerance 5 mm, contrasting nosing.
- 18:32 🪜 Twin-stile ladders: stile width 375–525 mm, rung spacing 250–300 mm, cage required for falls >6 m.
- 21:50 🛡️ Guardrails: minimum 900 mm high, one or more mid-rails (max 450 mm gaps), 600 N point load, 350 N/m distributed load.
- 23:58 🙏 Thanks for joining and engaging with questions despite running over time.
- 24:12 📧 General advice shared; contact hello@treadwellgroup.com.au for further discussions.
- 24:24 📞 Sales inquiries via sales@treadwellgroup.com.au (.com.au, .co.nz or .uk).
- 24:39 💬 All feedback welcome (good, bad or ugly) to improve future sessions.
- 24:53 💡 Client suggestions for topics encouraged for upcoming Tech Talks.
- 25:07 📄 Request presentation copy by emailing hello@treadwellgroup.com.au.
- 25:20 📅 Next Tech Talk Tuesday session in 2 weeks.
Why Treadwell?
Treadwell supports AS 1657 related projects with FRP platforms, walkways, stairways, ladders, handrails, grating and anti slip access systems. The company’s FRP products are used in industrial and infrastructure settings where corrosion resistance, low maintenance, slip resistance and lightweight installation are key design drivers.
The value of Treadwell’s approach is that it connects AS 1657 requirements to real access structure details. This includes panel deflection, dropped object openings, toe boards, guardrail loading, stair nosings, ladder cages, slope based access selection and the difference between minimum compliance and comfortable use.
Treadwell’s RailEX FRP handrail resources state that its mounting brackets were developed to comply with standards and tested to conform to AS 1657:2018, including retrofit use with existing steel handrail mounting patterns.
For engineers, contractors and asset owners, Treadwell can help translate general AS 1657 access requirements into practical FRP design decisions. Whether the project involves mini mesh grating for dropped object control, FRP stair treads, FRP ladders, guardrails, anti slip surfaces or complete access platforms, Treadwell can support product selection, design discussion and project specific technical review.
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*Disclaimer
The information on this page is derived from webinar content and AI-assisted transcription and summarisation. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, minor inaccuracies may occur. We recommend viewing the original webinar recording for context.
