The Stairway Manufacturers Association was officially formed in 1988 to insure the growth and prosperity of our industry. The issues central to the charter members focused on building code development. Through the years it has grown to include stair part manufacturers, stair builders, installers, millwork distributors, and related associated businesses that support the stairway industry.

Throughout the early years of the association’s efforts in the building code development process it became apparent through discussions with code officials and interactions in the code hearings that empirical data regarding stairway safety issues would be required to substantiate our testimony of experience. The handrail graspability issue had become controversial due to some limited studies proposing the effectiveness of a “power grip” on round profile rail. Although the concept of “equivalent graspability” was supported by the model codes more extensive studies would prove necessary. Through the generous contributions of several members a research fund was established and the engineering firm of Simpson, Gumpertz, and Heger Inc. was hired to do independent scientific research to study stairway accidents and their relationship to the use of handrails. These studies have recently been compiled in the “SMA Research Manual”.

The extensive studies performed and commissioned by SGH led to the development of specific code language that defines handrail graspability. The introduction of this language was a turning point in developing credibility with the model code bodies such as ICC, BOCCA, ICBO, and SBCCI. It also marked a significant change in that we were now offering new information and proposing changes based upon empirical studies that supported our previous defensive stance based upon our experience. After several years of educating code officials as to the specific findings of the research and revising the original language through several development cycles we successfully gained acceptance by the ICC. Although many new challenges would be in our future this work represented a significant breakthrough for our industry.

On other code fronts we applied our new knowledge and research to issues regarding handrail and guardrail heights, the position of newels, curved stair and winder geometry, and rise/run relationships. In doing so the SMA has been successful in making stairways safer by leading the code development process with proactive reforms in very code cycle and in 2002 was accepted as a member of the American National Standards Institute’s accredited standard committee A117 on Accessibility.

The SMA now publishes 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 an accurate and easily visualized interpretation of the building code. Exclaimed by all to be an invaluable resource they are free to download from the recently up graded website www.stairways.org

Most recently we have developed the SMA Quality Standards. Now in its draft form we hope to publish this by the Fall of 2004. The SMA Quality Standards will serve as the first national standard for the construction of stairs and will be suitable as a reference tool by the entire industry.

Over the years we have made an effort to grow the membership by holding our membership conferences in different locations through out the country and inviting prospective members. Some of the locations have included: Boston, Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix, Chicago, Providence, Baltimore, St. Louis, Orlando, San Antonio and Las Vegas. On some occasions we have combined our meetings with national trade shows and with code development hearings.

Throughout our history we have grown and learned the value of becoming an association with a broader base of members of varied interests. The SMA has become an organization, with a credible voice and a proactive stance in Code and Standard Development, dedicated to servicing the stairway and millwork industry.