The height of the railing on the stairs is subject to strict regulation. This is due to the fact that fences are primarily intended to protect people from falling who move along the stairs from falling. Despite the exuberant imagination of the designers and the huge options for decorating the railing, craftsmen must comply with the requirements regarding their height, workmanship, type of fastening and level of strength.
Railing and fencing height: GOST and SNiP requirements
The main dimensions and parameters of stair railings are indicated in such administrative documents as GOST and SNiP. In accordance with their points, each structure containing more than three steps must be equipped with a railing. Their height and type depend on the location of the stairs, its width and frequency of use. Fencing can be installed only on one side, if the width of the structure does not exceed 125 cm and the second side is adjacent to the wall or major building. Larger objects need a railing on both sides. A feature of very wide staircases, which reach 250 cm, is the need to build fences not only on the sides, but also in the center.
But that is not all. The standard height of the railings along the stairs of private houses differs from the parameters of fences erected in public buildings or in educational institutions. Based on the fact that the latter are designed for more intense cross-country ability, people pay more attention to safety.
Enclosures in residential buildings
The height of the railings enclosing the stairs above six meters should be at least one meter. For lower structures, it is necessary to erect a railing with dimensions not less than 90 cm. If the room is equipped with ramps, they must also be accompanied by fences. For various categories of users, handrails are set at 70 and 90 cm. This design allows you to meet the needs of people with reduced mobility who move on foot or in a wheelchair.
Rules governing the construction of stair railings in public buildings
Handrails and railings installed in the premises, in which a large number of people are daily, are exposed to a much greater load than the elements of stairs in private houses. For this reason, their manufacture and installation are given increased attention. The minimum height of the railing on the stairs in the public building is set at 90 cm. Schools and other educational organizations are becoming exceptions. Here, fences should be erected no less than 120 cm. If we are talking about institutions in which children with a slower pace of development are taught, then the required height of the railing increases to 180 cm. The distance between the balusters cannot exceed 10 cm. This is due to that at wider intervals there is a risk of injury to children stuck in the fence. The required strength for railings in public buildings is the same as for residential premises. They must withstand a load of at least 30 kg / cm 3 .
Other types of fences
GOST contains requirements for the equipment of operated roofs. If it is possible for people to enter the roof of the building, fencing should be placed along its edge. The minimum height of the railing on the roofs of buildings with a height of more than 10 m is 60 cm. Only steel is used for their manufacture. When equipping buildings up to 30 m, a railing of one meter high is placed on the roof. For higher houses, the size of the fencing increases to 120 cm. If there is a low parapet on the roof, the dimensions of the railing mounted on this base may be smaller than those installed. However, the overall height of the fence must necessarily comply with the standard. If the architecture of the room contains an internal podium or elevation for another purpose, it must be fenced. Railing height according to GOST - 90 cm.
Non-standard fences and their features
Curved (spiral) staircases are necessarily equipped with fences on both sides. When erecting spiral staircases, this is not necessary. After all, they are located around the pillar. If necessary, a person can use the railing to maintain balance. Designers and craftsmen must fulfill these requirements rigorously, since curvilinear structures are more dangerous than traditional straight or swivel structures.
Types of walling
The type of railing is chosen based on the design and configuration of the staircase. When designing this element, the following factors are taken into account:
- Materials used in the construction of stairs.
- Purpose and height of fences.
- Norms and rules regarding a specific type of fence.
The most common are metal railings. It can be used in combination with other materials (concrete, wood, glass, stone, gypsum). When constructing residential buildings, many owners prefer wooden structures. They can be independently installed, painted and repaired.
Glass and concrete fencing
For stairs, the protections of which are made of glass, the requirements for the strength and safety of the material are considered one of the most important. For such protective structures, there are special rules and standards. They include the use of laminated, reinforced or tempered glass.
Based on the popularity of concrete stairs and railings, standards have also been developed for them. Concrete balusters must contain metal reinforcement. True, this still does not put them in a row with all- metal fences. GOST indicates the level of the minimum horizontal load that the railing must withstand: 30 kg / cm 3 . Concrete balusters that have an unstable shape or are cast from poor quality material may not meet this standard. To increase the safety of such a ladder, the craftsmen resort to placing strong vertical pillars along the edges of its marches. Their size can be larger than the height of the railing, and the material is both metal and concrete. Finished fencing structures must be checked. They control all the main parameters: height, strength, reliability of fastening. Identification of inconsistencies threatens with the use of penalties.