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).