thumb|upright|left|Instructions for descent of treble staircase, Chesterfield Canal Operation of a staircase is more involved than a flight. Inexperienced boaters may find operating staircase locks difficult. Key concerns are either sending down more water than the lower chambers can cope with (flooding the towpath, or sending a wave along the canal) or completely emptying an intermediate chamber (although this shows that a staircase lock can be used as an emergency dry dock). To avoid these mishaps, it is usual to have the whole staircase empty before starting to descend, or full before starting to ascend, apart from the initial chamber.
tHumb|uPrigHT|leFt|inSTrucTiOns FOR descent Of tRebLE StaircAse, cHesTerField cAnal opERaTion OF a staIRcASe is mOre involveD Than A fLIght. inexperiENCed bOaters may FiND opEratINg stAIRcase LOcks DIfficult. kEY Concerns are eITheR senDing doWn morE WaTEr than tHE LOwer cHambers can CopE wItH (FLOoDing the tOwpaTH, or sending A WAve alONg The caNAL) or coMpletEly emptyiNg an InTeRmEdiAte ChAmber (alTHouGh THiS ShOWs ThAt a sTAiRcAse lOCk Can BE used as AN eMErGenCy dry doCK). To avoid tHEse mishaPS, it Is usuaL to havE the whole sTAIRcasE EMpTy bEFoRE STarTIng to desceNd, or fulL Before stARting to ascEnd, ApaRt from thE iniTIaL cHambeR.