Industrial guardrails offer robust protection for workers and the general public across mezzanines, service platforms, pedestrian walkways and potential fall edges.
"Designing, manufacturing and installing industrial handrails must comply with NZS 1657"
Platforms & Walkways
When is a handrail required?
Under NZS1657, handrailing shall be provided on the sides and ends of all platforms and walkways except:
- At points of access from a stairway or ladder.
- Where there is a permanent structure no more than 100mm distance from the edge of the platform or walkway which will give protection equal to or greater than prescribed in clause 3.4 discussed below.
Design requirements under Clause 3.4:
Handrailing should be designed & constructed in accordance with the following requirements:
- Shall consist of a top rail supported by posts parallel to the floor or slope of a walkway.
- The top rail shall be no less than 900mm or more than 1100mm above the standing level of a platform or walkway.
- One or more intermediate rails shall be provided parallel with the top rail and floor with a max distance of 450mm between rails or between the lowest rail and the top of the toe-board.
- Where a toe-board is not fitted, maximum distanced between the lowest rail and the floor shall be no greater than 560mm.
Stairways
When is a handrail required?
Under NZS1657, Each stairway shall be provided with at least one handrail. Where the width of the stairway exceeds 1000mm, a handrail shall be provided on each side.
Design requirements:
Handrailing should be designed & constructed in accordance with the following requirements:
- Handrails shall be parallel to the angle of slope of the stairway.
- The height measure vertically above the nosing of the tread shall be not less than 800mm and not greater than 1000mm.
- Shall have a smooth continuous top surface throughout the length.
- There shall be a hand clearance of no less than 60mm.
Handrails on landings:
On adjacent flights of stairs, where the gap between handrails is 100 mm or greater, a continuous rail shall be provided to close the gap for both top and intermediate rails. Where the gap between the handrails is less than 100 mm, a continuous handrail or vertical closure bends shall be used.
Finding the right industrial handrail for your project: Points for your consideration…
- Potential for falling objects, where persons have access to the area below
- Toeboard Requirements
- Safety Yellow – optional or mandatory?
Contact Us
To save time, resource and ease of installation when specifying Moddex guardrails or balustrades please feel free to contact us on 0800 663 339 or [email protected]
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