Some time ago in an issue of FH there was an article about a home built on the coast that had a long stair or ramp that pivoted at the top. It was up when not needed and went down when required. I’ve searched the indices and apparently haven’t used the correct key words. Does anyone out there remember the article and be able to point me to the issue? Thanks in advance to all that ponder this. Doug
Addendum: I seem to rember that this stairway was itself outdoors. I seem to remember a picture in the article that showed the stair in a horizontal position extending out over the water which was quite a ways below the pivot point of the stair. It seems as though the stair was quite long (20-30 feet? or more). If I am recollecting correctly the stair was used to access a boat that was below the outboard end. A person could walk out the stair until their weight caused the stair to tip down ( scary thought to me). I seem to remember a tag line at the end of the stair that someone approaching by water could use to pull the stair down for access.
Hope this helps. – Doug
Edited 8/9/2008 10:10 am ET by DOUG1941
Replies
Some time ago in an issue of FH there was an article about a home built on the coast that had a long stair or ramp that pivoted at the top. It was up when not needed and went down when required. I've searched the indices and apparently haven't used the correct key words. Does anyone out there remember the article and be able to point me to the issue? Thanks in advance to all that ponder this. Doug
Addendum: I seem to rember that this stairway was itself outdoors. I seem to remember a picture in the article that showed the stair in a horizontal position extending out over the water which was quite a ways below the pivot point of the stair. It seems as though the stair was quite long (20-30 feet? or more). If I am recollecting correctly the stair was used to access a boat that was below the outboard end. A person could walk out the stair until their weight caused the stair to tip down ( scary thought to me). I seem to remember a tag line at the end of the stair that someone approaching by water could use to pull the stair down for access.
Hope this helps. - Doug
Edited 8/9/2008 10:10 am ET by DOUG1941
you're right, searching with the correct words is important. I assume these were not regular folding stairs to access an attic space ?
I remember seeing an episode of "Extreme Homes" where there was a ramp just above the kitchen. It was up most of the time but used hydraulics bring it down to access a second-floor living area.
If you include more details of what you remember about the article, it may ring a bell to someone.
Were these stairs a single long stringer and step assembly that went up into the 2nd floor and when the bottom cleared the hole laid flat on the 2nd floor or in a recess in the 2nd floor?
No specific idea of how to pick the issue number just trying to clarify what you are looking for.
Jim H
jvhannah - Thanks for pondering this but the stair that i am refering to was outdoors and looked like it pivoted at the top of a ledge and when required tipped down to allow someone in a boat to ascend to the level of the residence atop the ledge. It seems to me that the stair seemed rather long (maybe 20-30 feet when stored in the up position. - Doug