Spacing on railings and public structures

[chunkolini]

I have been asked to prepare a quote for a customer, they want a three metre tall metal owl like the one on the left here

Mounted on a brick plinth with a set of railings around it.The model above is made of 3mm welding rod and was knocked up in a few minutes, the full sized version will be made of 20mm bar and have a few braces included.

My main question, the customer wants a set of railings to keep people from sitting on the plinth. Do the railings have to have gaps no bigger than a 100mm ball? If they are not railings but more of an extension of the sculpture does this still apply? In this case I am thinking of a simple 2d abstract structure going around the edge of the plinth.
I am confused by the gapping business, I have browsed contemporary railings and there are some you can even climb through that are used on local government projects.

We are hoping to build something simple and elegant incorporating the owl motif in two dimensions.

An example of spaced out railings from Gateshead


edit, does this cease to matter if the spacing is above a certain size?

 

[cumbriasteve]

Building regs part K is the standard on spacing and protection from height railings etc.

For ground level, ie a garden perimeter I am unsure it matters and you have a free hand.

If there is a fall the other side of the railings, thats where the regs come into play.

The trouble is it differs from totally private land and land with public access, if you seek advice from any councils then get it in writing, they even argue amongst themselves in some cases.

 

[chunkolini]

This will be in the carpark of a super market, the whole installation wil be on flat ground.

 

[chunkolini]

Just had a chat with an architect, he says as long as the structure is not stopping people falling over or onto something the gap business does not matter.
Hence the huge spacings on the Gateshead image.

 

[madkayaker]

Isn't there something about stoping kids getting the heads stuck but if the spacing was big as per the photo then that's not going to happen!

 

[chunkolini]

The 100mm maximum hole is to stop kids getting their heads stuck which makes sense. But once you go above a certain size it does not matter.
Sounds as though the law as ever is clear if not logical.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Isn't there something about stoping kids getting the heads stuck but if the spacing was big as per the photo then that's not going to happen!

I think this again refers to railings preventing fall from height, balcony guard rails etc and the 'kids head stuck' is just an urban myth but used as a common explanation.

 

[Welderpaul]

The 100mm maximum hole is to stop kids getting their heads stuck which makes sense. But once you go above a certain size it does not matter.
Sounds as though the law as ever is clear if not logical.

Whether there is a fall or not, the 100mm rule still applies when there is a likelihood that small children will be in the vicinity. It is to stop the little darlings getting their heads stuck.

 

[chunkolini]

WP thay was my original understanding of it as a rule.
What about holes or voids of a much bigger size?
Browse the internet for images of railings and sculptures and there is som much modern stuff that falls outside this guideline.

 

[Welderpaul]

WP thay was my original understanding of it as a rule.
What about holes or voids of a much bigger size?
Browse the internet for images of railings and sculptures and there is som much modern stuff that falls outside this guideline.

Yeah, i've been told by a couple of Building Control Officers that this is how it is. I find it odd that there is no maximum gap size...there is no maximum size set that a child wouldnt get their head stuck...150mm? 200mm? Dunno.
Always best to get a drawing done and get it approved in writing - no come backs on you for picking the wrong dim then.

 

[chunkolini]

I am submitting a rough quote today with dodgy sketches, if they like the idea I will do scale drawings and get them to sign for them.
A useful idea.

 

[nickk]

I am submitting a rough quote today with dodgy sketches, if they like the idea I will do scale drawings and get them to sign for them.
A useful idea.

as said before go to building control @ hereford council & get it in writing.

 

[Hitch]

This kids head lark has to be piffle when it comes to metalwork that isn't protecting from a fall i'm sure.
Look at loads of gates, rails, decorative panels etc, 80-100 gaps on the lower parts, 160-200 on the uppers....

The scale drawing is a good idea.