The Stairway Manufacturers’ Association was officially formed in 1988 to insure the growth and prosperity of our industry and craft. The SMA has grown to include stair part manufacturers, stairbuilders, installers, millwork distributors, and related ancillary businesses that support the stairway industry. The issues central to the charter members focused upon defending arbitrary changes in the building codes. The SMA's early efforts provided essential funding for scientific research and testing in stairway safety and set an example for valid code reform. SMA Research was used to fairly establish empirical changes in stair, handrail, and guard codes.
The SMA has successfully lead proactive code reform throughout the past decade in making stairways safer while preserving the aesthetics of the staircase as an architectural element. The association has become a responsible member and respected participant in the development process of the International Code Council and asked by the ICC to participate in writing the 2009 and 2012 Commentaries of the IBC and IRC.
In 2002 the SMA was accepted as a member of the American National Standards Institute’s A117 accredited standard committee on Accessibility. In 2009 the SMA funded the first research and testing of handrail shapes as they are used by persons with disabilities on stairs and ramps and presented the pilot study to the Committee. This study has provided essential insight for the code and standard community.
Since 2001 the SMA has published Visual Interpretations of the Stair Building Codes as a tool for building officials, design professionals, contractors, and others in the industry. These graphic interpretations bring the written code to life and provide a well accepted, consistent understanding. In 2003 the first annual SMA code forum was held inviting code officials, builders, architects, and stairbuilders to discuss regulatory issues and foster a better understanding across the industry. This program has been extended across the nation and now includes accredited code interpretation seminars available for associations of building officials, builders, and design professionals.
A new focus on education was established in 2007 that has largely affected the direction of our organization and our members. In 2008 the SMA began work on a Stairway Safety Program curriculum for use in Elementary Education. In 2009, at the first Fall Education Conference, the first SMA certification program was offered. Certification is raising public awareness of our professional status and encourages the continued growth of skilled, professional stairbuilders and companies in a culture that supports our members and the industry.
Entering the next decade, 2010 brought strategic planning and a resolution to change our mission to reflect our emphasis on education and the need to build the resources essential to provide for our members success and that of our industry.
saved the stairway aesthetic and the stairbuilders craft from a fateful demise. It has become an organization with a credible voice encouraging consistent interpretation and enforcement of the code. It continues to contribute its expertise with a proactive stance in code and standard development, and now forges ahead with a renewed commitment to our members’ success, the stair industry and the public we actively serve.
