How many pounds of force should a guardrail and handrail withstand at a minimum?
In North America and the United Kingdom, rail is graded by its linear density in pounds per yard (usually shown as pound or lb), so 130-pound rail would weigh 130 lb/yd (64 kg/m). The usual range is 115 to 141 lb/yd (57 to 70 kg/m).
Guard rails must be capable of withstanding 200 pounds of pressure within two inches of the top edge without depressing the top of the guard rail below the 39-inch limit. Screens must be capable of withstanding 150 pounds of pressure from any direction.
Type W Guardrail. Rail Lengths: 12’6″ or 25’ (measured from center of post hole, end to end) Pre-punched holes: 6’3″ on center. Rail height: 12¼”. Weight: 7.68 LBS Per Foot.
Guardrail systems must be capable of withstanding at least 200 pounds of force applied within 2 inches of the top edge, in any direction and at any point along the edge, and without causing the top edge of the guardrail to deflect downward to a height less than 39 inches above the walking/working level.
Under 1910.23(e)(1), OSHA says that a guardrail must have a vertical height of 42 inches nominal from the upper surface of the top rail to floor, platform, runway, or ramp level. “Nominal” simply means that 42 inches has been established as the de facto standard for guardrail height. OSHA allows for variance, however.
Guardrails have three main parts: a top rail, a mid rail, and a toe board.
1 : a narrow walkway (as along a bridge) 2 : a platform along which models walk in a fashion show : runway A dozen girls spin onto the catwalk at once, all in variations on a theme.—
42 inches
Under 1910.23(e)(1), OSHA says that a guardrail must have a vertical height of 42 inches nominal from the upper surface of the top rail to floor, platform, runway, or ramp level. “Nominal” simply means that 42 inches has been established as the de facto standard for guardrail height. OSHA allows for variance, however.
(a) A standard guardrail shall consist of top rail, midrail or equivalent protection, and posts, and shall have a vertical height within the range of 42 inches to 45 inches from the upper surface of the top rail to the floor, platform, runway, or ramp level. …
A standard railing should consist of a top rail, intermediate rail and posts, and shall have a vertical height of 42 inches. The structure must have the strength to withstand at least the minimum requirement of 200 pounds, applied in a downward or outward direction within 2 inches of the top edge.
1910.29(b)(5) Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, and other equivalent intermediate members are capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 150 pounds (667 N) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the intermediate member.
All guardrail systems must be able to hold at least 200 pounds of pressure pushing out and down on the railing. Downward pressure should not bend railing past 39 inches above its walking-working surface. To test this, apply an appropriate force within 2 inches of the railing’s top edge.
