Recently, we received a stair project that had already been detailed by another party and even approved by the design consultants. For reasons unknown, the project eventually came to Tek1.
The scope involved a large five-flight stair with a 90° turn. We were provided with the GA drawings and assemblies prepared by the previous detailer, stamped with approvals, and instructed to simply follow the approved drawings for any RFIs raised.
At first glance, it would have been easy to assume everything was in order. But at Tek1, we believe that blindly following drawings — even “approved” ones — is risky. Every project deserves a careful check against standards.
The Error That Changed Everything
During our review, we noticed a critical issue: while all risers were at 190 mm, one riser was set at just 149 mm. This not only broke the uniformity but also violated the applicable stair standards.
We immediately highlighted this to the client. What seemed like a “small” mismatch in a single tread had major implications. To correct it, the entire stair had to be revised:
- Riser height was adjusted to 188 mm.
- All mid-landing RLs shifted.
- Stringer slopes changed.
- Handrails and support frames were reworked.
In short, one overlooked error had a ripple effect on the entire structure.
Lessons Learned
Projects that land with us after being dropped by other detailers often arrive with extreme urgency, as valuable time has already been lost. But no matter how hectic the schedule, Tek1 follows one principle: check the input drawings against standards before proceeding.
This extra step not only avoids costly errors but also ensures safety and compliance — something no deadline should compromise.
