Difference between commercial/industrial handrails and residential...

[Munkul]

So residential handrails are to be in accordance with approved document K of build regs. That's fine, it's straightforward to design appropriately.

But where is the line drawn between private/public handrails, and industrial ones?

Part K asks for <100mm gaps and vertical spars preferred.
Industrial handrail is same heights, but only top and bottom horizontal rails, with a kicking strip at floor level, that's how it's always been done in our workplaces.
Where's the regs or guidance found for these? I don't need to know this, but I want to.

 

[Revs1972]

Factory Stairways, ladders and handrails book. I think it’s on its eight edition now.https://www.google.co.uk/search?cli...WSAQMzLjSYAQCgAQGqAQdnd3Mtd2l6&sclient=psy-ab
If you look hard enough on the Internet you may find that someone has uploaded it somewhere.

 

[Munkul]

That is spot on, thanks.
I'm sure I've heard of that title from somewhere before, maybe its just the ring of it.

 

[Robbie260]

Woops didnt know there were guidelines for hand rails on private property i just slung some up for my parents last time i was home.

 

[Munkul]

Woops didnt know there were guidelines for hand rails on private property i just slung some up for my parents last time i was home.

we've always done that too in the past, I'd say most people do

 

[Revs1972]

we've always done that too in the past, I'd say most people do

Its always handy to know the regs etc to make sure you do it right, but ( i think ) unless you are doing it as a business and charging for it, then you could pretty much do what you want.

 

[Bobtail4x4]

the guarding 100mm thing is anywhere a child under 5 may be,
so all domestic and some commecial.

 

[Feet 'n Inches]

Downloadable copy: https://docplayer.net/35139254-Factory-stairways-ladders-and-handrails.html

 

[tom2207]

very handy ,, great link thankyou.

 

[Munkul]

the guarding 100mm thing is anywhere a child under 5 may be,
so all domestic and some commecial.

That is a fantastic rule of thumb

 

[Munkul]

Its always handy to know the regs etc to make sure you do it right, but ( i think ) unless you are doing it as a business and charging for it, then you could pretty much do what you want.

Pretty much. We have a farm so anything outside the house is commercial and arguably a child shouldn't be anywhere near. But going forward I'm making sure anything we do is designed and built properly. Less chance of accidents, or inspectors being able to pick holes in things.

The plan is to get into more of this kind of paying work for people, hence reading up on guidance/regs. Forewarned is forearmed, as they say.

 

[Revs1972]

Pretty much. We have a farm so anything outside the house is commercial and arguably a child shouldn't be anywhere near. But going forward I'm making sure anything we do is designed and built properly. Less chance of accidents, or inspectors being able to pick holes in things.

The plan is to get into more of this kind of paying work for people, hence reading up on guidance/regs. Forewarned is forearmed, as they say.

Wow, thats the first time I have heard a farmer say that

I have a few as clients. I might have mentioned it before, but I have been stood in sheds with them, and they have asked for an exact copy . When you tell them that it won't be exactly the same , as the one they are stood in won't pass current design specs, they just look at you funny and tell you not to be so daft . No problem, I just give them what they want with a MASSIVE DISCLAIMER on it saying this package is for reference only, and is not approved for fabrication, and that they should seek the advice of a structural engineer before proceeding.
Not had one fall down yet

 

[tom2207]

Wow, thats the first time I have heard a farmer say that

I have a few as clients. I might have mentioned it before, but I have been stood in sheds with them, and they have asked for an exact copy . When you tell them that it won't be exactly the same , as the one they are stood in won't pass current design specs, they just look at you funny and tell you not to be so daft . No problem, I just give them what they want with a MASSIVE DISCLAIMER on it saying this package is for reference only, and is not approved for fabrication, and that they should seek the advice of a structural engineer before proceeding.
Not had one fall down yet

I was told a long time ago , by a very wealthy man ,,, a good boy always does as hes told ,
the customer may not always be right ,,, but they are always the customer.

But as mentioned get the thing down on paper. A verbal agreement is only ever as good as the paper its written on.

 

[Mark 2]

That is a fantastic rule of thumb

It is of course a child's thumb that was used for the rule and will be somewhat smaller

 

[Munkul]

Wow, thats the first time I have heard a farmer say that

I've worked in a factory environment for long enough now to want things to be done right on the farm
I STILL see farmers or contractors in fancy youtube videos, all singing all dancing kit, some of those tractors alone are worth more than our farm's entire stock of machinery! yet still have PTO guards damaged or removed etc. They don't cost much, and are the difference between legal and illegal!
Often the difference between right and wrong is just a bit more thought up front, and sometimes a few more pennies.

Don't get me wrong though, I still bodge things now and again