We at Steel Studio are proud to announce our balustrade sponsorship with The Miracle Drive initiative. The Miracle Drive has become one of the largest fundraisers in the country, and strives to change for good, the lives of individuals and communities. Made up of the young, elderly, the underprivileged and those who are desperate for assistance, Miracle Drive tries to change the world one step at a time. We at Steel Studio have sponsored a balustrade system to be used for the pool and patio area at a residence where children gather to ensure their safety when these gatherings happen. We have made sure that a SANS compliant balustrade system has been installed on this premises in order to deal with the task at hand and that is to protect those that utilise the facilities. For more information on the Miracle Drive initiative and the work they that are doing, visit their website.
General News
Steel Studio aims to give the best value and service to their customers, right from the start
Dave Braithwaite, Sales Director explains how Steel Studio aims to give the best value and service to their customers, right from the start: Dave Braithwaite, Sales Directors and Marketing, “When engaging with Steel Studio at any part of the sales value chain, be it with our commercial account executives or our residential area managers, the client receives expert opinion and expertise, not only with the products and services that we at Steel Studio offer but also and sometimes more importantly with regards to the legislation and in particular surrounding the South African National Standards, also known as SANS. Ultimately this legislation was brought about to protect you, the client, and the customer. At Steel Studio we take the onus of making sure we deliver to you a product and a service that complies and ultimately we take the onus away from the Architect or the developer and we take on the liability. Simply put, at Steel Studio, we deliver to you, the client a solution that best fits you.”
What is a “Balustrade Compliance Certificate” and how do I get one?
A compliance certificate is a certificate that states that your balustrade complies with SANS (South African National Standard: Application of the National Building Standard). You will only be issued a Balustrade Compliance Certificate if your balustrade complies with SANS 10400 & SANS 10160.
Why SANS 10400 & SANS 10160?
SANS 10400 refers to the standard that specifies the “aesthetic” aspects of your balustrade in relation to the occupancy class of your project. It specifies, amongst others, the maximum gaps, the minimum height, and when balustrades would be required. SANS 10160 refers to the standard that specifies the “loading requirements” of your balustrade in relation to the occupancy class of your project. It specifies, amongst others, the type of loading, the value of the loading, and how the loading must be applied to balustrades in order to test for compliance.
How do I get a Balustrade Compliance Certificate?
Your balustrade manufacturer and installer must issue you a Balustrade Compliance Certificate on completion of your balustrade installation. In order to design in accordance with SANS 10400, your manufacturer and installer must be familiar with the latest SANS specifications. Your manufacturer must design and supply balustrades, with the correct size and grade of materials, that can withstand the loading specifications in order to comply with SANS 10160. The correct size of steel and timber elements are calculated and tested by astructural engineer, and the correct type and size of glass members are specified and tested by a “Competent Person Glazing”. At Steel Studio we continuously design and test balustrades to ensure that we supply a product that will meet your aesthetic and quality requirements whilst also complying with the National Building Code (SANS).
How high should my balustrade be?
Where balustrades are used to protect a difference in level of more than 1 meter, internal or external, this balustrade must have a height of at least 1 meter. Where balustrades are used to protect a side or both sides of a staircase which has more than 3 steps, this balustrade must have a height of at least 1 meter. Where balustrades are used to prevent access to a pool area, this balustrade and any gate therein must have a height of not less than 1.2 meters. Where balustrades are used as queuing rails, demarcation like in food courts, etc., there is no minimum height prescribed by SANS 10400. We would however recommend that this balustrade has a height of no less than 0.9 meter.
Where is the height measured from?
In the case of a balcony, edge, bridge, etc. the height is measured from the area where a person would most likely stand. If there is a parapet wall or similar construction, and this construction can act as a step, the balustrade height is measured from this point (see sketch above). On a staircase, this height is measured vertically up from the pitch line/nose line (see sketch below).
Cable balustrades in a residence that do not comply with SANS
When it comes to installing your balustrade, it is easy to take your contractors word as bible – especially if you are not familiar with SANS building regulations. We recently investigated an installation that did not comply with two very important South African National Standards in regards to balustrades. With any balustrade installation, it is required by law that your balustrade system complies with SANS 10400 and SANS 10160 as set out the by South African National Standards. These standards are put in place to ensure the structural integrity of your installation, and to ensure that it has optimal safety for those who use it. SANS 10160 specifically focuses on the “load” that the balustrade will be able to handle by performing a number of tests on the installation. As a home owner it can be tempting to work with a cheaper balustrade solution; however we strongly advise against doing this. Read our article here on “Cheap versus SANS compliant quality” installations to better understand why it is important to work with SANS compliant and quality products. Poor design and installation can be very dangerous in your building, especially when being used by elderly people, or if there are small children around. From a building perspective, having a balustrade installation that does not comply with the strict building regulations in place is simply, a disaster waiting to happen. This installation does not conform to the South African National Standards, nor is it aesthetically pleasing. We at Steel Studio ensure that all of our installations comply with SANS to ensure maximum safety from your balustrade installation while maintaining aesthetically pleasing cutting edge designs. Here are some pointers in preventing your balustrade installation from being a disaster.
When attaching upright posts, will my tiles or granite get chipped or damaged?
If your tiles or granite have been laid correctly, using a solid bedding of tile glue and screed underneath there will be no damage to your tiles. Problems usually occur when the tiler applies four or five “blobs” of tile glue to the underside of the tile and does not cover the full area of the tile. This is usually done to save on the tile glue but will cause a host of other problems. You will find you will have hollow spots on your tiles and in time the tiles will tend to crack and break. If the tiler has fitted your tiles in this manner, there is a chance that Steel Studio’s installers may break a few tiles, however, if the tiles are laid properly this will not be the case. Steel Studio makes use of the best possible machinery and equipment. You will find that our core drilling machines and rigs, are all the top of the range Swiss made Hilti machines. Our Hilti core drilling machines come standard with a vacuum based stand, with a sponge type base to protect tiles from been scratched. The core barrels we use are also Hilti barrels which have diamond tips to ensure a quality cut through the tiles. All of our installers have undergone strenuous training from Hilti themselves to ensure they are qualified operators. When core drilling, it is critical that the operators set the water switches correctly to allow the correct amount of water flow depending on what they are drilling through, such as granite or tile. Too much water or too little water will have disastrous effects and if the operator of these highly sophisticated machines is not qualified and competent, damage will be caused. At Steel Studio we believe that by using the best technology in the market and with the correct operator training, you will receive a world class product with no damage to your tiles or granite. Rather than worrying about Steel Studio damaging your tiles, make sure your tiler had laid your tiles correctly with proper bedding underneath and no hollow spots.
Is a main entrance feature staircase required by law to have a balustrade?
Architects, Interior designers and homeowners sometimes insist that they do not want a balustrade on a main entrance feature staircase because of aesthetic reasons. Is this allowed and legal? This is most certainly not legal. South Africa’s building regulations clearly state that for a drop of more than 1000mm, a balustrade is required to prevent someone from falling. While Steel Studio’s Sales representatives frequently get asked this question, we inform the relevant parties of the regulations in terms of the South African National Standards (SANS) that this is not legal. No ethical Building Inspector will issue an occupation certificate for a building should a staircase of more than 1000mm high, not have a balustrade fitted. As the balustrade specialist, in terms of the law, a Professional Engineers certificate is required to be handed to the building inspector prior to occupation being granted. We can assure you that we will not be able to provide this certificate under these circumstances. The risk will surely fall with the relevant party who issued this instruction and will be held liable should an accident happen in the future. This is extremely dangerous and irresponsible and Steel Studio will not entertain this type of request. Unfortunately we are aware of projects where the balustrades to the feature staircase were removed once the Occupation Certificate was issued. Let’s hope an accident never happens where this has been the case.
Is a balustrade with horizontal rails legal and safe? Can a child climb up and fall over the edge?
In South Africa it is legal to manufacture and install balustrades which have horizontal rails or cables, and in our building codes there are no stipulations that say it is illegal. The only mention that is made of horizontal rails being illegal is related to a swimming pool fence for obvious drowning reasons. In America, horizontal rails are legal in some cities and illegal in other cities. For example in America, each State, County and even the individual cities have different bylaws. You may find that even though Mill Valley and Sausalito fall within the Marin County in California, their bylaws are different. Horizontal rails may be legal in Mill Valley but illegal in Sausalito even though they both fall under Marin County and are both in California. In South Africa there is no differentiation between provinces or cities. Horizontal rails are allowed and certainly not illegal. We at Steel Studio often get asked by clients, how their balustrades that incorporate horizontal rails can be made safer to prevent their child climbing up and over the rails. There is no full proof system, however, we can offer to offset (crank) the handrail to a different plane. That way should your child climb up the rails, when they get to the top with the handrail offset towards the child climbing, it will be more difficult to climb over. In fact if you visit OR Tambo airport, you will see that is what the Architect designed for the majority of the balustrades at the airport. If you prefer the horizontal rails for aesthetic reasons but are worried about your child climbing them, you can always have a combination of these with glass in front which will prevent the climbing. This is obviously an expensive option but can be done.
What is the difference between Grade 304 and Grade 316 Stainless Steel?
Grade 304 Stainless Steel has mainly a chromium and nickel content with an extremely low content of Carbon. It contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel and is also an Austenitic Stainless Steel. Grade 316 Stainless Steel contains 16% chromium and 10% Nickel as well as 2% Molybdenum and is also an austenitic Stainless Steel. The Molybdenum in the Grade 316 is added to resist corrosion such as sea salt. This Molybdenum is the main difference between Grade 304 and Grade 316. The appearance to the eye of the Grade 316 and Grade 304 is exactly the same. The only way to tell the difference is through laboratory tests. Grade 316 can cost 30% more than Grade 304 but is definitely required for coastal applications that are exposed to sea salts. The additional cost you pay upfront for the superior grade 316 will be worthwhile to ensure a shiny Stainless Steel look for years to come. If however, your application is indoors or far enough from sea salts, the grade 304 will be ideal. It is a little cheaper but will behave in the same manner as the 316 and look like new for many years to come.
When attaching upright posts, will my tiles or granite get chipped or damaged?
If your tiles or granite have been laid correctly, using a solid bedding of tile glue and screed underneath there will be no damage to your tiles. Problems usually occur when the tiler applies four or five “blobs” of tile glue to the underside of the tile and does not cover the full area of the tile. This is usually done to save on the tile glue but will cause a host of other problems. You will find you will have hollow spots on your tiles and in time the tiles will tend to crack and break. If the tiler has fitted your tiles in this manner, there is a chance that Steel Studio’s installers may break a few tiles, however, if the tiles are laid properly this will not be the case. Steel Studio makes use of the best possible machinery and equipment. You will find that our core drilling machines and rigs, are all the top of the range Swiss made Hilti machines. Our Hilti core drilling machines come standard with a vacuum based stand, with a sponge type base to protect tiles from been scratched. The core barrels we use are also Hilti barrels which have diamond tips to ensure a quality cut through the tiles. All of our installers have undergone strenuous training from Hilti themselves to ensure they are qualified operators. When core drilling, it is critical that the operators set the water switches correctly to allow the correct amount of water flow depending on what they are drilling through, such as granite or tile. Too much water or too little water will have disastrous effects and if the operator of these highly sophisticated machines is not qualified and competent, damage will be caused. At Steel Studio we believe that by using the best technology in the market and with the correct operator training, you will receive a world class product with no damage to your tiles or granite. Rather than worrying about Steel Studio damaging your tiles, make sure your tiler had laid your tiles correctly with proper bedding underneath and no hollow spots.