Apartment Staircases . Stairs are made to ibc specifications for safety, with 4 maximum spacing between rails. This popularity is due to several design elements that are necessary in order to pull of an industrial look properly. Rectangular Stairway in an apartment building (Västra Kajen 1) built from www.pinterest.com Well designed stairs can become a valuable design feature in the apartments of large multistory developments. This popularity is due to several design elements that are necessary in order to pull of an industrial look properly. Moisture attacks every uncoated surface and rust begins to eat away at the joints and supports.