Contemporary Railing SystemsGLASS, STAINLESS STEEL, CABLE, LED, CODES, STANDARDS, AND LEED

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© The Wagner Companies 2017

Learning ObjectivesContemporary Railing Systems◦Post Mounted Systems

◦Cable Railing

◦Structural Glass Railing

◦Adding Illumination

Learning ObjectivesCode and Safety Issues◦Accessibility

◦Code Requirements

◦Structural and Testing Criteria

Sustainability and LEED

Post Systems

Post Types◦Square (Tubing)◦Round (Pipe/Tube)◦Flat Bar (Solid)◦Custom Designs

Post Selection

◦Size◦Pipe vs. Tube◦Thickness◦Post Spacing◦Attachment to substrate

Attachment to Substrate

◦Surface Mount◦Fascia Mount◦Embedded Mount

◦“Core Drilled”

◦Anchor Sleeves

Brass and Stainless Tube Railing◦Popular in Hospitality◦Round Tube/Thin Wall◦Simple Components◦Easy to Assemble◦Not recommended for structural applications

Pipe Railings◦Aluminum, Red Brass, Stainless Steel and Steel

◦Heavy Wall◦Recommended for structural applications

◦Components or welded assembly

◦Multiple infill design and mounting options

Infill Options◦ Glass

◦ Cable

◦ Vertical Pickets/Balusters

◦ Horizontal Rails

◦ Woven Wire

◦ Perforated Panels

◦Uses Vertical Posts◦Round Tube◦Square Tube◦Flat Bar◦Custom Designs

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Glass Panel Railing

◦ Uses Vertical Posts

◦ Glass Panels inserted between posts using glass mounting hardware

◦ Very good sightlines

◦ Typical Glass size: 3/8″ to ½″◦ Tempered/laminated is now required

when above a walking surface.

◦ Provide holes/slots in glass

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Glass Panel Railing

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◦Uses Vertical Posts◦Typical cable size: 3/16″◦Range: 1/8″ to 3/8″

◦Stainless Steel cable and fittings

◦Very good sightlines

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Cable Railing

This

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Cable Railing

Not This

◦Climbability restrictions are not in in any current model code.

◦However, local jurisdictions may limit the use of horizontal cable railing.

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Vertical Cable Railing

◦ A guard may not have an opening through which a 4″ sphere can pass.

◦ Cable must be:

◦ Properly tensioned

◦ Spaced at 3″ clear between cables

◦ Supported as required by manufacturer

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Opening Limitations

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Woven Wire Infill

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Horizontal Mid Rails

◦For handrailor OSHA applications only◦Not suitable for guards

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Horizontal Bars

Not recommended◦Subject to bending and stress, very unforgiving relative to cable rails

◦Use cable instead

Glass Railing

Dry GlazeWet Glaze

Glass Shoe Mount Detail

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Typical Assembly

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◦No Vertical Posts◦ Tempered Glass is the structural

balustrade

◦ Note: 2015 IBC requires laminated

◦Will meet load requirements when properly installed and specified

◦May be Wet or Dry Glazed

◦Excellent sightlines

◦ Uses “Standard” Base Shoe

◦ Wet Glaze Options◦ Quick Setting Expansion Cement (gypsum based)

◦ Do not use Portland based cements with laminated glass.

◦ Silicone

◦ Do not use epoxy fillers

◦ Best suited for exterior applications and curved railings

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Wet Glaze Solution

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Dry Glaze Solution

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Dry Glaze Solution

• 80% labor savings• Lighter weight

• No special tools• No mess

Lighted Railing

◦ Low–Voltage LEDs incorporated into railing to illuminate walkways and stairs.◦ Linear light sticks or pods

◦ Handrail or Guard applications

◦ Improve safety or provide accent

◦ Remote or Integral Power Supply

◦ Emergency Lighting Option

Pods (Point Source)

◦Available in symmetric and asymmetric throw patterns

◦Optional Color Temperatures◦May be retrofit into existing railings

◦May be used in curved railings◦Dramatic Architectural Illumination

Alloy Selection

◦Steel◦C1010

◦Stainless Steel◦Type 304, 316 or 316L

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◦Aluminum◦6063 or 6061

◦Copper Alloys◦C230 Yellow Brass, C385 Architectural Bronze

Anti-Microbial Properties of Copper

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Stainless Steel6 vs. 24 hours

Copper Alloy1 vs. 6 hours

Minimum 70% Copper

Code Bodies and Standards◦ International Code Council (ICC)

◦ International Residential Code (IRC)

◦ International Building Code (IBC)

◦ National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)◦ NFPA 101

◦ NFPA 5000

◦ Accessibility◦ ANSI-A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities

◦ Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)

◦ Architectural Barriers Act (ABA)

International Code Council

◦Created one uniform building code by combining:◦Building Officials Code Administrators International (BOCA) – National Building Code (NBC)

◦Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI) –Southern Building Code (SBC)

◦ International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) –Uniform Building Code (UBC)

The “I” Codes◦ The International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code

(IRC)

◦ First published in 2000 and most recent is 2012◦ 3 year cycle

◦ The IBC and IRC publish “model” codes that are then adopted or modified by code bodies and local jurisdictions

◦ Anyone can submit a code change

National Fire Protection Association◦ Known for NFPA 101 and NFPA 1

◦ Released NFPA 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code

◦ Fire inspectors, firefighters and government agencies

◦ NFPA 5000 did not gain general acceptance. However, some elements of NFPA 5000 have been pulled into NFPA101

◦ Lighting Level Standards : Means of Egress, Emergency

NFPA Lighting Code Requirements

7.8.1.3 Means of Egress

(1)During conditions of stair use, the minimum illumination for new stairs should be at least 10 ft-candle, measured at the walking surfaces.

(2)The minimum illumination for floors and other walking surfaces, other than new stairs during conditions of stair use, should be to values of at least 1.0 ft-candle, measured at the floor.

ANSI A117.1 2009 and ICC

◦Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities

◦Now overseen by ICC◦Published on a five year cycle◦1986 standard had incorrect handrail dimension – 1-1/4″ to 1-1/2″ OD with a 1-1/2″ clearance between wall and rail.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

◦ Signed into law in July 1990

◦ Civil Rights Law -- prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability

◦ Applies to facilities in the private sector -- places of public accommodation and commercial facilities -- and to state and local government facilities.

◦ Overseen by the Access Board

◦ Standards issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ)

Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)

◦ Created in 1991; revised in 1994; updated in 2004

◦ Originally based on 1986 ANSI A117 which had incorrect dimensions for handrail◦ 1¼″ to 1½″ OD

◦ 1½″ absolute between wall and handrail

◦ Clarification of acceptability of “pipe sizes” (1.66″ and 1.90″) published in July 1998.

◦ New ADA approved July 23, 2010

2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (ADASAD)

◦Went into effect on March 15, 2011◦Compliance was permitted as of September 15, 2010 but not required until March 15, 2012.

◦States can be more stringent◦Florida, California and Texas updated

Ramps

Clear Width ◦The clear width of a ramp run and, where handrails are provided, the clear width between handrails shall be 36″ minimum.

Handrail

◦ To provide guidance

◦ Required on stairs with 2 or more risers and ADA ramps with a rise of 6 inches◦ Handrails are not required on walking surfaces with

running slopes less than 1:20

◦ Intermediate Rails: ◦ All portions of an egress path must be within 30 inches

of a handrail

◦ On both sides of stairs and ramps.

Handrail◦ Placed between 34 inches and 38 inches

◦ For children, the 2010 ADASAD recommends a maximum height of 28 inches with a minimum of 9 inches of clearance between the child’s rail and the adult rail (not required).

Handrail Size Limitations

◦1 ¼ inch to 2 inch diameter

◦Or provide Equivalent graspability◦ Handrail gripping surfaces with a non-

circular cross section shall have a perimeter dimension of 4 inches (100 mm) minimum and 6¼ inch maximum, and a cross section dimension of 2¼ inch (57mm) maximum.

Bracket Clearance -- Horizontal

Maximum Projection: 4½″

Bracket Clearance -- Vertical

Decrease by 1/8″ for each ½″ of perimeter over 4″

RailingDiameter

Clearance from Underside

1.25″ 1-1/2″

1.50″ 1-3/8″

1.66″ 1-1/4″

1.90″ or 2.00″ 1″

Rail Extensions◦ Ramps: handrails extend horizontally above the

landing for 12 inches minimum beyond the top and bottom of the ramp runs.

◦ Stairs, Top Extension: handrails extend horizontally above the landing for 12 inches minimum beginning directly above first riser nosing.

◦ Stairs, Bottom Extension: handrails extend at the slope of the stair flight for a horizontal distance equal to one tread depth beyond the last riser nosing.

◦ Extensions shall return to a wall, guard or the landing surface or continue to another stair run.

Guard

◦Guards are in place to prevent “accidental falls”

◦Minimum Height of 42″ in commercial applications and 36″ in residential applications.

◦Generally not required unless there is a 30″ drop.

◦4″ sphere rule

Exceptions to Opening Limitations

Glass Railing Code Requirements

Prior to 2015 IBC

IBC 2407.1.2: Support. Each handrail or guard section shall be supported by a minimum of three glass balusters or shall be supported to remain in place should one baluster panel fail. Glass balusters shall not be installed without an attached handrail or guard.

IBC 2407.1.2: Support. Each handrail or guard section shall be supported by a minimum of three glass balusters or shall be supported to remain in place should one baluster panel fail. Glass balusters shall not be installed without an attached handrail or guard.

Does this guard with ½” monolithic tempered glass meet IBC 2407.1?Does this guard with ½” monolithic tempered glass meet IBC 2407.1?

We would say “no”

Does this ½” monolithic glass guard meet this requirement?

IBC 2407.1.2: Support. Each handrail or guard section shall be supported by a minimum of three glass balusters or shall be supported to remain in place should one baluster panel fail. Glass balusters shall not be installed without an attached handrail or guard.

•IBC clarified this with an exception referring to “top rail” in place of incorrect use of “guard”:• 2009

◦ Exception: A top rail shall not be required where the glass balusters are laminated glass with two or more glass plies of equal thickness and the same glass type. The panels shall be designed to withstand the loads specified in Section 1607.7.

• Exception updated in 2015:

◦ Exception: A top rail shall not be required when the glass balusters are laminated glass with two or more glass plies of equal thickness and the same glass type when approved by the building official.

•IBC position is that no top rail is required if the glass is laminated or the guard meets the structural load requirements.

Glass Railing Load Requirements• Glass Railing specific Load Requirement:

• IBC 2407.1.1 Loads. The panels and their support system shall be designed to withstand the loads specified in section 1607.8. A design factor of four shall be used for safety.

• All Guard and Handrail Requirements:• IBC1607.8.1 Handrails and guards. Handrail assemblies and guards shall be designed to resist a

linear load of 50 pounds per linear foot (plf) (0.73 kN/m) in accordance with Section 4.5.1 of ASCE 7. . .

• IBC1607.8.1.1 Concentrated Load. Handrails and guards shall designed to resist a concentrated load of 200 pounds (0.89kN), in accordance with Section 4.5.1 of ASCE 7.

• ASCE7 notes the load needs to be placed at the “top” of the guard.

• This is the top of the Guard• ½” monolithic glass• Must meet a 200 lb concentrated load by a

design factor of 4

• This is the top of the Guard• ½” monolithic glass• Must meet a 200 lb concentrated load by a

design factor of 4

Glass Railing Code Requirement and Exception•Section 2407.1.2• Support – Each handrail or guard section shall be supported by a minimum of

three glass balusters or shall be otherwise supported to remain in place should one baluster fail. Glass balusters shall not be installed without an attached handrail or guard. ◦ Exception – A top rail shall not be required where the glass balusters are laminated glass with two or

more glass plies of equal thickness and the same glass type when approved by the building official. The panels shall be designed to withstand the loads specified in Section 1607.8.

•Do architects and structural engineers want the building official to have the ultimate decision making power?

•What if we include a post-glass-breakage requirement in the code?

Glass Rail Pushed to Failure

PVB vs Ionoplast Rigid Interlayer

Glass Rail Deflection

Sustainability and LEED

SustainabilitySustainability is the capacity to endure; it is how biological systems remain diverse and productive indefinitely.

Sustainability is the endurance of systems and processes.

LEED Opportunities◦Glass railings allow for enhanced interior daylighting

◦Metal railing systems contain pre- and post-consumer recycled content

◦Metals and glass are recyclable

◦Can contribute to LEED certification

Possible LEED CreditsMaterial and Resources (MR)◦ MR Credit: Construction and demolition waste

management (up to 2 points)◦ To reduce construction and demolition waste disposed

of in landfills and incineration facilities by recovering, reusing, and recycling materials.

◦ MR Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Sourcing of Raw Materials (up to 2 points)◦ To encourage the use of products and materials for

which life cycle information is available and that have environmentally, economically, and socially preferable life cycle impacts. To reward project teams for selecting products verified to have been extracted or sourced in a responsible manner.

Possible LEED CreditsIndoor Environmental Quality (EQ)◦ Interior Lighting (up to 2 points)

◦ To promote occupants’ productivity, comfort, and well-being by providing high-quality lighting.

◦ Daylight and Quality Views (up to 3 points)◦ To connect building occupants with the

outdoors, reinforce circadian rhythms, and reduce the use of electrical lighting by introducing daylight and views into the space.

International Green Construction Code

The IgCC is…◦ First model code to include sustainability

measures for the entire construction project and site

◦ Expected to make buildings◦ More efficient

◦ Reduce waste

◦ Positive impact on health, safety, and community welfare

Resources◦ www.intlcode.org

◦ www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.html

◦ www.nomma.org

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