September 2019

Common Mistakes
HANDRAIL, GUARDRAIL & SAFETY
BARRIER INSTALLATIONS
Christian King, General Manager at Kee Systems, points out some of the common mistakes
made when installing safety systems.
Not following the design calculation that
provides the compliant upright tube
specification, correct spacing between
uprights, the required anchor embedment to
achieve the required design load: Correct
planning is vital, otherwise the barrier won’t
achieve what it’s being designed to do, which is
to protect people. For example, barriers, handrails
and guardrails must meet minimum height
requirements and be able to withstand various
forms of load, as required under Building
Regulations and BS6180. Pedestrian handrails
need to be designed to achieve 740 Nm design
load. If the system isn’t designed correctly, then
you will find that the system does not withstand
the correct loading. Correct design calculations
can also help to save money, as you’ll be able to
calculate the spacings accurately. We often find
that systems are installed to what a company
thinks is the safest specification, but in fact, they
have often overcompensated on the spacing
between uprights and as a result, the railing
system has cost more.
Don’t assume you know how to install the
systems correctly and to a compliant
standard: Safety barrier systems can be
installed quickly and easily using fittings such as
Kee Klamp, but you still need
to know what you’re
doing. Common
mistakes can often
be seen on stairs or
ramps where the
handrail may be
below the required
900 – 1100mm
height or the handrail
has just been installed on
one side of the stair or ramp
instead of both sides as required. You
can also find that where there is a drop off, a
curb or curb rail has been omitted to prevent
wheelchairs from slipping out from under the
railing. In some cases, a mid-rail will provide
sufficient protection.
“If you are going to
install a handrail,
guardrail or safety
barrier using
components, always
speak to a company
that understands the
complexities of
installing these
systems first”
Wrong fixing detail used: We have seen cases
where a base flange has been fixed to brickwork
with non-suitable anchors or not cored, or where
wall fixings have been used as base flanges. It
won’t be long before these safety railings or
handrails start to become unstable and either
wobble or work loose from the brickwork or
substrate it’s fixed to,
making the system noncompliant
and
potentially a hazard.
When fixing a
pedestrian handrail
to brickwork, we’d
recommend using a
78mm diameter
diamond core drill,
250mm deep for each
upright and then resin fix the
uprights into position to achieve the
required strength and durability.
Trying to save money by installing a
galvanised DDA compliant system and then
painting it instead of having it powder-coated:
Painted systems will scratch or flake within
weeks, if not days. Polyester powder coating the
tube and components will provide a finish that’s
chip, scratch and fade resistant and will also
comply with the requirements of the Equality Act
by providing a finish that’s not cold to the touch.
General comment: The benefit of using tube and
fittings is that if a system is incorrect, it may
simply be a case of adjusting it or replacing a
section, which you can’t do with fabricated
systems. However, in all cases, we’d say that if
you are going to install a handrail, guardrail or
safety barrier using components, always speak to
a company that understands the complexities of
installing these systems first to make sure that
what you are proposing is correct.
Contact Kee Systems
0208 874 6566
www.keesystems.co.uk
@KeeSystems
58 TC SEPTEMBER 2019