Super Torretta Stair Tower – Access Platform for Halls

The COSMOS Super Torretta stair tower is a mobile tower platform with stairs for repeated access to machines, structures and equipment in halls and hangars. In the standard range it covers working heights of 2.70–5.91 m, has a 60×70 cm platform with a 150 kg load capacity, and a fixed staircase at a 55° incline instead of a ladder.

Aircraft hangars, manufacturing plants, logistics centres and industrial facilities have one thing in common: a recurring need for access at height and strict requirements for safety and documentation. A conventional portable ladder is inadequate in this environment, both in terms of safety and performance. A mobile scaffold, on the other hand, is unsuitable where the access point changes several times a shift, because of the assembly it requires. For work up to a working height of 5.91 m, a stair tower is therefore often the best choice – a tower platform for industry that works as an access platform for halls and as a hangar platform. When it is no longer enough for working at height in a hall is described below.

Why a Ladder Is Not Enough in Industrial Operations

In terms of regulations and practice alike, a conventional portable ladder is unsuitable as the primary means of access for repeated work at height in an industrial operation. Czech Government Regulation No. 362/2005 Coll. permits a ladder as work equipment only where the risk is low and the work is short; with daily, repeated work in a hangar or manufacturing plant you will usually not meet this condition.

Beyond the legal position, a ladder in industrial operations creates specific practical problems:

Three points of contact are unrealistic in practice. A technician carrying out a service or inspection needs both hands free for tools, instruments, or components. This cannot be done safely from a ladder.

Load capacity is limited. A standard portable ladder is not designed for carrying heavy tools or parts. A tower platform offers a working deck where everything needed can be placed.

Height is limited. For work at 6, 8, or 12 m, a ladder is unsuitable or outright prohibited.

Documentation is absent. Industrial health and safety audits require certified equipment with valid documentation. A ladder without a declaration of conformity and inspection records will not withstand an audit.

What Is the Super Torretta Stair Tower?

The Super Torretta is a stair tower (tower access platform) from the Italian manufacturer COSMOS, part of the BLACK series and designed for intensive industrial use. It is TIG-welded from extruded ribbed aluminium and, unlike a mobile scaffold, is not assembled from components – it is rolled into place, braked, and the technician climbs onto the platform.

Standard range specifications according to the manufacturer's catalogue:

• 3 to 17 steps (models ST3–ST17)
• platform height 0.70–3.91 m, working height 2.70–5.91 m
• platform 60×70 cm, load capacity 150 kg
• stairs at a 55° incline, tread depth 100 or 200 mm
• 100 cm guardrail and 15 cm toe board
• rear side perpendicular to the floor, so the tower can be placed face-on against a wall or machine

The Super Torretta is built as a robust tower featuring:

A working platform for one technician with tools: the 60×70 cm platform with a 150 kg load capacity is designed for one worker with tools, measuring instruments and smaller parts. If two people need to work at the top simultaneously, a mobile scaffold is the right choice (see the section below).

Stairs instead of a ladder: access via stairs is safer, less fatiguing, and allows tools to be carried in hand. In a hangar where technicians climb up and down many times a day, this has a real ergonomic and safety impact.

A robust guardrail system: the platform is enclosed on all sides by a solid guardrail. The worker is protected during movement across the platform and during material handling.

Documentation for audits: the Super Torretta is manufactured according to the Italian regulation D.Lgs. 81/08 and the manufacturer supplies it with a user manual and certificate.

An automatic braking system: in the working position, the tower stands on rubber feet and the brake is engaged. Lifting it by the handles releases the brake and the tower can be moved on its castors.

When Super Torretta Is Not Enough

A stair tower has clear limits. If you exceed them, a mobile scaffold is the right choice:

• Working height above 5.91 m: the standard Super Torretta range ends with the ST17 model (platform at 3.91 m). For higher work, choose a COSMOS Marte S scaffold (width 0.74 m, working height up to 11.55 m), Marte L (width 1.35 m, up to 13.99 m) or ALUBERG 770/1370 (configurations for working heights of 3–12 m).
• Two workers at the top simultaneously: Marte S and Marte L have a load capacity of 200 kg/m² including 2 persons; ALUBERG is load class 3 (200 kg/m²).
• Larger working area: a scaffold platform is 2.0–3.0 m long (Marte) or 1.9 m (ALUBERG), compared with 60×70 cm on the tower.
• Long periods of work in one place: where the scaffold stands for hours or days, assembly from components is not a drawback and the larger area pays off.

Conversely, where the access point changes many times a shift and one technician up to a working height of 5.91 m is enough, the Super Torretta is faster and more convenient than a scaffold. For a detailed comparison of scaffolds for halls, see our article Aluminium Scaffolding for Industry.

Typical Applications for the Super Torretta

Aircraft hangars and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul): inspection, servicing, and repair of aircraft require repeated access to fuselages, engines and wings. Where the access point lies within a working height of up to 5.91 m, the Super Torretta allows a stable working deck to be positioned exactly where needed, without anchoring or special infrastructure. Higher parts of the aircraft, such as the tail surfaces of large aircraft, require a Marte L scaffold.

Manufacturing plants with tall machinery: large CNC machines, stamping presses, industrial robots, and production lines require access for setting, inspection, and repair at height. A Super Torretta rolled up to the machine and braked replaces dangerous improvisation with ladders and delivery crates.

Logistics centres and warehouses: racking systems, conveyors, lighting or equipment within a working height of up to 5.91 m require regular access for maintenance and inspection. The Super Torretta is more stable and safer than a ladder, and more mobile than a fixed walkway. Ceiling installations in taller halls call for a mobile scaffold (Marte S, Marte L or ALUBERG).

Energy and industrial installations: access to boilers, pipework, electrical distribution boards, or ventilation systems at height – environments where technicians rotate, work with tools, and document work carried out.

Optional Accessories for Demanding Applications

The COSMOS Super Torretta is modular and can be configured with accessories tailored to the specific operation:

SmartLock: a single movement of the lever retracts the castors and the platform settles on its feet. Useful in operations where the platform is repositioned many times a day and quick, reliable securing is essential.

Entry gate: instead of a fixed guardrail element at the platform entrance, a hinged gate is fitted – preventing falls during ascent and descent and providing a more ergonomic solution for frequent platform access.

Fibreglass version: for environments with live electrical voltage (switchgear rooms, industrial installations, traction systems), the Super Torretta can also be ordered in a fibreglass version built to order. We always verify the specific design and its certification with the manufacturer.

Custom dimensions: COSMOS also builds the Super Torretta to order – for example with grating steps and platform, with a cantilevered or extended platform, a multi-level platform, or as a “ponte” (bridge) version. The catalogue does not state heights for custom configurations, so we always verify them directly with the manufacturer.

How Does the Super Torretta Perform at a Health and Safety Audit?

An industrial customer needs to produce at audit:

• Declaration of conformity with a current standard
• Equipment certification
• User manual
• Records of regular inspections
• Evidence of user training

The Super Torretta is supplied with a declaration of conformity, a certificate and a user manual; inspection and training records are kept by the operator – we will help with the inspection schedule.

How to Submit an Inquiry

The Super Torretta is made to order; the delivery date is confirmed by the manufacturer and stated in our quotation. To prepare a quotation we need:

• Maximum working height (in metres) – based on this we choose the number of steps (ST3–ST17) or recommend a scaffold
• Type of space (hangar, hall, warehouse – ceiling height)
• Floor type (concrete, industrial tile, epoxy coating, etc.)
• Number of people who need to work at the top simultaneously (the Super Torretta is for one technician; for two we recommend a Marte scaffold)
• Tread depth (100 or 200 mm) and the side of access to the platform (front, side, with gate)
• Whether a fibreglass version is required (presence of live voltage)
• Whether the operation is subject to certification or industrial health and safety audits

Contact us via the inquiry form or by e-mail – we will prepare a quotation within 24 hours.