Guardrail

A rail is a longitudinal bar that can sit on uprights or can be attached to another structural component such as a wall. A guardrail is a longitudinal barrier that prevents people from falling or straying into a dangerous or restricted zone. Guardrails are typically made from metal, timber, or materials such as PVC.

Guardrails can be found in locations such as:

• On a balcony.
• On building sites.
• On the edge of a pavement to prevent pedestrians crossing roads at dangerous points.
• On the edge of a ramp.
• On a landing.
• On ships.
• Around potentially dangerous machinery.
• Along a hiking trail to prevent falls.

Guardrails typically have ergonomic dimensions, with the top rail around 107cms (+/- 8cms) above ground level.

NB According to Approved Document K, Protection from falling, collision and impact, guarding is ‘…a barrier that denies pedestrians or vehicles access to another area, for example the floor below’. Where a barrier is ‘…a structure – either a raised rail or a solid wall – that denies access to another area.' For more information see: Guarding

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Access control in buildings.
• Approved Document K.
• Banister.
• Bollard.
• Collective restraint systems.
• Guard.
• Guarding.
• Fence.
• Hoarding.
• Hostile architecture.
• Ironwork.
• Scaffolding.
• Wall.