I suggest searching the internet for manufacturer's of ship's ladders and ship's stairs.
You should also check through the OSHA website. It looks like OSHA doesn't regulate them, but OSHA doesn't appear to like them either.
(Me - I don't like them, never liked descending them.)
(I am assuming that your question is for a production, not a permanent fixture.)
Joe
What's your total platform height, and measurement from the back of the platform to the wall of the theatre. If you give me those I can draw you a ships ladder to fit. What Gaff has described is exactly what to do, it's just getting the treads level and evenly space that's the issue. Do you have a set of stair gauges for your framing square ?
If you've got 6' you should be able to build a pretty steep but safe stairway. I just built one that's 8' high and 8' long and it's quiet comfortable to go up and down. You should be able to use 2x6 treads and actually have a stairway that is fairly normal. It would not be the greatest for going down as the treads will be very short horizontally but a fairly normal vertical step height is possible. Making it easy to go up quickly and doable if you take your time going down... not nearly as much of a ship's ladder as you think.
Sorry for taking so long life is a bit crazy right now.
EDIT:
Why I did what I did with this design.
I'm used to working equity, any crossover needs a minimun of 3' width. < 3'-6" in larger houses or different contracts> so the ladder or staircase cannot run right into the wall for a variety of reasons, the least of which is that it would make mounting the stairs difficult.
Another option would be to build a standard staircase and turn it 90 degrees with a landing, if you have room for it backstage.
Me ? No. I Roll.....You rock, thanks!
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