The height of the railing on the stairs is subject to strict regulation. This is due to the fact that the fences are primarily designed to protect against falling people who move up the stairs. Despite the wild imagination of designers and huge options for decorating railings, craftsmen must comply with the requirements regarding their height, material of manufacture, type of fastening and strength level.
Height of railings and fences: 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, their width and frequency of use. Fences can only be installed on one side if the width of the structure does not exceed 125 cm and the other side is adjacent to a wall or capital building. Larger objects require railings on both sides. featurevery wide stairs, which reach 250 cm, is the need to build fences not only on the sides, but also in the center.
But that's not all. The standard height of the railing along the stairs of private houses differs from the parameters of the fences erected in public buildings or in educational institutions. Based on the fact that the latter are designed for more intensive cross-country ability, people's safety is paid more attention.
Fences in residential buildings
The height of the railing enclosing the stairs above six meters must be at least one meter. For lower structures, it is necessary to erect railings, the dimensions of which are 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 for the needs of people with limited mobility who move on foot or in a wheelchair.
Rules governing the construction of stair railings in public buildings
Handrails and railings installed in rooms where a large number of people stay every day are subjected to much more stress than stair elements in private homes. For this reason, their manufacture and installation are given increased attention. The minimum height of handrails on stairs in a public building is set at 90 cm. Schools and other educational organizations are becoming exceptions. Here, fences should be erected no lower than 120 cm. If we are talking about establishments in whichteach kids with a slow pace of development, then the mandatory height of the railing increases to 180 cm. At the same time, the distance between the balusters cannot exceed 10 cm. This is due to the fact that with wider gaps 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 buildings. They must withstand a load of at least 30 kg/cm3.
Other types of fences
GOST contains requirements for the equipment of operated roofs. If it is possible for people to go to the roof of the building, fences should be placed along its edge. The minimum height of the railing on the roofs of buildings over 10 m high is 60 cm. Only steel is used for their manufacture. When equipping buildings up to 30 m, a railing one meter high is placed on the roof. For higher houses, the size of the fences 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.
Custom fences and their features
Curvilinear (spiral) stair structures must be equipped with railings on both sides. When building spiral staircases, this is not necessary. After all, they are located around the support pillar. If necessary, a person canuse railings to maintain balance. Designers and craftsmen must strictly comply with these requirements, since curved structures are more dangerous than traditional straight or rotary ones.
Types of protective structures
The type of railing is chosen based on what design and configuration the staircase has. When designing this element, consider the following factors:
- Materials used in the construction of stairs.
- Designation and height of fences.
- Norms and rules regarding a particular type of fencing.
The most common are metal railings. It can be used in combination with other materials (concrete, wood, glass, stone, plaster). When building residential buildings, many owners prefer wooden structures. They can be installed, painted and repaired by yourself.
Glass and concrete railings
For stairs with glass railings, 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.
Because of 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 on a par with all-metal fences. GOST indicates the level of the minimum horizontal load that the railing must withstand: 30 kg/cm3. Concrete balusters that are unstable or cast from poor quality material may not meet this standard. To increase the safety of such a staircase, 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 protective structures must be checked. They control all the main parameters: height, strength, fastening reliability. Identification of inconsistencies threatens with the application of pen alties.
