A Balustrade is a structural safety element of any building and is often only perceived as an aesthetic component of the entire structure. A balustrade’s function is mainly to protect those that are utilising a walkway, balcony or staircase from falling off of what could be dangerously high levels.
If you are considering a new balustrade system for your home or office building, you have to ensure that the balustrade contractor will provide you with the Form 3: Declaration by a competent person appointed to design a component or an element of a system, from the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977 (Act No. 103 of 1977). You can then rest assured that your balustrade system has been designed, tested and approved by a professional structural engineer and that those whom are utilising your building will be safe when making use of balconies, staircases and walkways that could potentially be dangerous without a safe balustrade system.
Where and when are balustrades required?
It is compulsory to install a balustrade system wherever there is a change in level of more than 1m. Choosing to omit a balustrade on a staircase for aesthetic preferences is illegal and can result in serious injuries or even death, should a person fall from a staircase not containing a balustrade.
Places where balustrades are normally required are on balconies, staircases, walkways, raised terraces and pool or outdoor areas with falls of more than 1m.
What must the balustrade height be?
According to the South African National Standards, the standard balustrade height has to be 1m from the finished floor level. If there is an up-stand present that is more than 300mm wide and can be stepped up onto, then the balustrade needs to be 1m from the top of the up-stand and not from the floor level.
A balustrade around a pool area is required to be 1.2m if the property doesn’t have a wall or fence around with a locked gate. Additionally the pool balustrade will have to have a self-closing lockable gate.
What is the load capacity that a balustrade must be able to withstand?
In line with a structural engineers’ calculations and SANS10160 loading requirements, all balustrades must be designed to comply with the relevant occupation categories as outlined in SANS10160 e.g. 0.5kN/m, 1kN/m, 1.5kN/m, 3kN/m etc.
What type of materials are available for safe balustrade systems?
Balustrades that are able to withstand their intended loads are manufactured out of a range of materials like:
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is available in grade 304 brushed finish for general, inland use and grade 316 mirror polished finish for use in corrosive coastal environments.
Glass
Engineering calculations show that all balustrades that are framed two sides (uprights and glass clamps) requires a minimum of 10mm and possibly up to 20mm thick toughened safety glass dependent on occupancy classification.
These calculations also show that all balustrades that are frameless requires a minimum of 12mm and possibly up to 20mm thick toughened safety glass dependent on occupancy classification.
A handrail is compulsory in the event that frameless glass is not fixed in a permanent concrete or steel channel.
Mild Steel
Mild Steel is a less expensive material option that a safe balustrade system can be manufactured from although it has become a less popular option due to its corrosive properties and high maintenance requirements. Mild steel offers the client the ability to paint the balustrade to a preferred colour.
Understanding the concept of balustrades, that it is a structural safety component first and foremost, will assist you in choosing the right supplier and materials for your next balustrade.