Maximum Post Spacing for Decorative Railing
Maximum Post Spacing for Decorative Railing
(OP)
I have a decorative rail along a stair case bolted to concrete posts at the top and bottom. The length along the rail between posts is up to 14.7 feet. I am using a 1.25" x 2.5" kick bar to meet AASHTO loading requirements for pedestrian rails. This seems like a heavy bar to use, but the top member is a 6" pipe. Is a 14.7 ft post spacing excessive? Should I place an additional post at mid height along the stairs?





RE: Maximum Post Spacing for Decorative Railing
Zx = 1.25 * 2.5^2 /4 = 1.95 in^3
M_allow = 36/1.67 * 1.95 = 42 k-in > 16.21 k - in
Looks like you are okay!!!!
But I am confused, is the 6" pipe your handrail or your guardrail? It is too big to be a handrail. I have never used the term "Kick bar" before, but I am assuming that is similar to a toe board?
RE: Maximum Post Spacing for Decorative Railing
http://cdn.lolbrary.com/2013/12/6/lolbrary.com_413...
RE: Maximum Post Spacing for Decorative Railing
RE: Maximum Post Spacing for Decorative Railing
RE: Maximum Post Spacing for Decorative Railing
So, the 200 lbs requirement looks OK, but 15 ft x 50 lbs/ft = 750 sideways at the top (42 inch high for a guardrail, right?) on the post.
2. Don't confuse a "handrail" grip requirement at +36 (+/-2 inch) measured from the toe of each step on a stair, with the guard rail requirement for height. If the guard rail (only on commercial applications!) is horizontal, I do not see a "grip" requirement coming up for rail diameters.
RE: Maximum Post Spacing for Decorative Railing
Toeplate = toeboard = kick plate when it comes to handrails.
One further note; [morons] at OSHA have specified 42" - period. What they did is to codify the old 3½-ft nominal rail height. Americans are now significantly taller than they were in 1901, and 42" is a little too low to be safe for anyone over about 5'-10" tall; their center of gravity is above the top of the OSHA-mandated rail. Most mezz handrails [all?] in malls have their handrails at about 44" to 48" tall. Much safer structure for the slightly above-average person.