The Harmans/BWI campus of Catalent Pharma Solutions aids in Gene Therapy clinical manufacturing and laboratory testing. With close to 200,000 square feet, there was room to expand into the second level of part of the facility, which created a need for an exterior staircase. This new elevated entrance allows for equipment and personnel to enter conveniently into the elevated portion of the workspace.

With the elevated entrance being 22’ in height, and lacking considerable space to work with, a half landing staircase was necessary. Grating is used as the steps and platform, while square tubing is used as the grabrail. These stairs will receive a lot of foot traffic and are externally exposed, therefore hot-dip galvanizing was chosen as the preferred coating because it offers durability, corrosion protections, and has the best life-cycle cost. When asked if there was another coating that was considered, the project manager on the job said “No, hot-dip galvanizing provided the best corrosion protection and the most efficient cost, and no other coatings will be required.” The project owner is pleased that this staircase will last for years to come, with no harm or safety concerns to pedestrians.