Guardrail Systems

Handrail assemblies shall be designed to resist a load of 50 lb per linear foot applied in any direction at the top (2000 International Building Code, Section 1607.7.1). 

Time elapsed after removing of 177-lb load from the midspan of a 24-in.-span board The board residual deflection (in.) The board recovery with respect to the initial, zero-load point (%) 

A uniform loading test (actually, a quarter-point loading test) of a railing 

For in-fill test (a normal load horizontally applied over 1 ft area, including openings and spaces between components, see Fig. 7.13), the respective components of the railing system (such as pickets or spindles) should withstand a load of 50 lb pounds 

The following are descriptions of the tests performed with GeoDeck railing system according to those requirements. 

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Acceptance criteria for deck board span ratings and guardrail systems (AC 174) prescribe that the concentrated (center-point) load at the deflection at 1/180 of the span shall be recorded. According to the AC and 2000 International Building Code, Section 1607.1, this load should be minimum 300 lb (on average of 15 specimens). As an alternative requirement, the maximum deflection under 300 lb concentrated load should be 0.125 in. (Section 4.1.1 of AC 174). 

In June of 2005 and June 2006, AC174 was partially modified. It is now based on a newly introduced ASTM D 7032-05. Regarding guardrail system (guard and handrail), the ASTM says (Section 6.2) that for in-fill load fesf a railing system should resisf a load of 125 Ibf applied over a 1 fF area normal fo in-fill (Section 6.2.2). The figure of 125 Ibf came from 50-lbf load multiplied by the safety factor of 2.5. This requirement is essentially the same as described above. 

Finally, according to new AC174, a concentrated 500-lb load shall be applied to the guardrail system at the maximum guardrail height (ASTM D 7032, Sections... 

Vinyl Guardrail Systems (Sentinel and Reliant) Westech Building Products, Inc. PVC Legacy NER-710 (7/01/04) Reinforced top rail, aluminum post insert or PVC sleeve over 4" X 4" wood post. 200 lb concentrated load at midpoint top rail (BOCA requirement)... 

ASTM D 7032 Standard Specification for Establishing Performance Ratings for Wood-Plastic Composite Deck Boards and Guardrail Systems (Guards or Handrails) ... 

The standard method was withdrawn in 2002. The main reason to describe it in this chapter is that this method was referenced in ASTM D 7031 ( Standard guide for evaluating mechanical and physical properties of wood-plastic composite products ), issued in 2004, and in ASTM D 7032 ( Standard specification for establishing performance ratings for wood-plastic composite deck boards and guardrail systems (guards or handrails) ), issued in 2005. 

Ground wood pulp, 85 Ground wood, 82 Growth of mold, 413, 414 growth on cellulose, 414 ventilation effect, 413 Guanylurea phosphate, 468 Guardrail systems, 225, 239, 280, 302, 306-310... 

A combination of physical safeguards and safety devices applied to the work environment. Guardrail System, Scaffold... 

ANSI. Safety Requirements for Workplace Walking Working Surfaces and Their Access Floor, Wall andRoof Openings, Stairs and Guardrail Systems, ANSI/ASSE A1264.1. New York ANSI, 2007. 

The use and operation of guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, safety net systems, warning line systems, safety monitoring systems, controlled access zones, and other protection to be used ... 

Discuss fall protection. Each employee at the edge of an excavation six feet or more in depth must be protected from falling by guardrail systems, fences, or barricades when the excavations are not readily seen because of plant growth or other visual barrier. The same requirements apply to planking over excavations. 

Each employee engaged in residential construction activities 6 feet or more above lower levels shall be protected by guardrail systems, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system unless another provision in paragraph (b) of this section provides for an alternative fall protection measure. Exception When the employer can demonstrate that it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use these systems, the employer shall develop and implement a fall protection plan which meets the requirements of paragraph (k) of 1926.502. 

Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems. 

Unprotected sides and edges of stairway landings must be provided with guardrail systems. Guardrail systems must meet the criteria in Subpart M — Fall protection ( 1926.502(b)) — Guardrail systems ( 1926.10 (c)(12)). 

If you are working on or under bridges and are constantly protected by safety nets, body harnesses, or guardrail systems then you are not required to wear life jackets or buoyant work vests because OSHA deems you to be adequately protected for the danger of not only falls, but drowning. 

Puncture and laceration hazards from a damaged cable guardrail system,... 

Cover the general requirements for fall protection in construction. If not only drowning hazards, but impact hazards, are involved, then fall protection, such as safety nets, safety harnesses, or guardrail systems, must be used to prevent employees from falling into the water. 

Ramps and walkways — six feet or more above lower levels must have guardrail systems in place. 

Every scaffold user must be protected by either a personal fall arrest or guardrail system. There are two exceptions to this requirement ... 

Because of the dangers posed, some systems require both a personal fall arrest and a guardrail system. They are single-or two-point adjustable suspension scaffolds, and self-contained adjustable scaffolds (when the platform is supported by ropes.)... 

Guardrail system — Walkways within a scaffold, self-contained adjustable scaffold (when the platform is supported by the frame structure). 

Personal fall arrest or guardrail system — overhand bricklaying operations and all scaffolds not otherwise specified above. 

Guardrail systems installed to meet the reqiiirements of the scaffold rule ( 1926.451(g)(4)) must (1) be installed along all open sides and ends of platforms, and (2) be installed before the scaffold is released for use by employees. 

Guardrail systems built in accordance with Appendix A to the scaffold rule meets the requirements of 1926.451(g)(4). 

The most effective t3rpe of training is demonstration. Demonstrate the correct use of personal fall arrest eqiiipment including (1) putting on and taking off of equipment, (2) correct connections to scaffolds, and (3) components of the system. Review the various components of a guardrail system, and demonstrate a correct guardrail. 

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