Patent ID: 8272477

Claim:
A foldable stowing stairway comprising 1) at least three stair sections, each connected to another via a hinge, and 2) a platform door upon which said at least three stair sections are placed upon when said stairway is in stowed position, said platform door being rectangular in shape with four edges thereof, each edge having a periphery thereof, wherein on one edge is attached a hinge, and wherein each of the remaining three edges having a gasket material applied to the periphery thereof; wherein said platform door comprises at least two different sheet materials, such that at least one of said at least two different sheet materials is a fiber-reinforced cement panel comprising crystalline silica, hydrated calcium silicate, and cellulose fibers and another of at least one of said at least two different sheet materials is a flame and fire resistant panel comprised of calcium silicate, aluminum silicate, crystalline silica, and cellulose or other like fiber, and wherein said flame and fire resistant panel is of a thicker construction than said cement panel; wherein said stairway is of a weight to facilitate installation within a building; and wherein said stairway exhibits at least one hour of fire resistance when tested under ASTM Test Method No. E119 (2007).