... materials Standards using the loads given in the Standard series AS/NZS 1170. The balcony may not have been designed to support so much extra weight. On staircases, they must have a minimum of 865 mm. Loose fixings on balustrades or handrails are unsafe and can result in injury. Where circular metal handrails are provided, external diameter shall be 30mm to 65mm. Australian standards for stairs are complicated - and the path is relatively untrodden when you’re leveraging innovative materials or designs. We would recommend spacing your wires at between 100mm and 200mm and your posts at around 2 meters apart. Ensure that water does not pond at the base of a post or at a wall support, or pools on the balcony surface. any openings in the balustrade should not allow a 12.5cm sphere (round ball) to pass through. Check the structure is properly fixed to the building or that the beams run into the building. For decks more than one metre above the ground, openings in balustrades, including decorative balustrades, cannot be greater than 125 millimetres. Seaside and corrosive effects – unprotected steel structures, reinforcing steel and fixings (e.g. In Australia Parts 3.9.1 and 3.9.2, Volume 2 and Australian Standard 1170.1 are written to ensure building that enables people to move safely between different levels of the building using stairs or ramps. The code requires a circular or elliptical handrail, with a minimum width of 30mm and a maximum width of 50mm. Check the height of your balustrade, particularly if tiles or some other paving may have been applied after the balustrade was installed. Your annual check should include the following: Check handrails and balustrades to make sure they are not rotted, corroded, loose or unstable. To stop individuals … So the vertical components must … A properly applied stain or paint finish will reduce water entry, but moisture can easily penetrate gaps and joints. FIG 1.1: 50 OD handrail Balustrade/handrail to a ramp needs to have a kerb rail on either side at a minimum height of 65mm and maximum 75mm above finished floor level. If you need further information on AS1428 or require a quote, call our sales team on 08 9302 1947 or email us at  sales@absaus.com.au. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to using Australian stair regulations in your favourite staircase designs. Balustrades with a fall of between 1 and 4 meters. New balconies, decks, balustrades and railings must be built to meet the requirements of the Building Code of Australia and relevant Australian Standards. This means that a balustrade with wire support posts every 1200mm or 1500mm, and a top rail height of 1 metre (960mm to the underside of the handrail, plus a 40mm handrail is most common) will require 11 runs of wire when spaced at 80mm with a tension that will be easily achievable. All handrails requires turndown ends of 180 degrees or alternatively, returned fully to the end post, floor or wall face. If you are worried about the stability of a balcony, deck or balustrade, avoid the area and restrict access. Other references to staircase construction can be found in the Australian Standard AS1657 Section 4 – Stairways. Homeowners, tenants and property owners should regularly check and maintain any balconies, decks and balustrades. However, one of the key elements you need to consider before selecting your staircase design is the regulatory code for your area. There are many things that can affect the structural safety of a balcony, deck or balustrading, such as: The correct design and maintenance of decks and balconies should take these issues into account. In this case a balustrade is not required so you can space the wire at your own discretion and place your posts at any distance you like. If it leans, there is a problem. The top of the balustrade also needs to be “ positioned between 900 and 1000mm above the pitch line.” It is vital that when choosing a balustrade type, you only pick ones which meet the requirements set out by the Building Code. It determines access and movement in public buildings. Balustrade Gate options in Ball-Fence design All exterior timbers are susceptible to insect attack and decay. In all building types other than a dwelling a balustrade is needed; Continuous Handrail- When is it required? Most well-maintained timber balconies should last for at least 20 years, and a well-maintained concrete balcony should last for 40 to 50 years. Also check the distance between cables and any other supports that form the balustrade. Handrail is required to both sides of the stair/ramp, with a minimum of 1000mm clearance between both handrails. (deck to ground level) Maximum spacing for wires is 100mm, but to be safe we prefer 80mm as it allows posts further apart with less tension. Australian building codes require that any deck more than one metre (1000mm) above the ground must have a balustrade or railing of some kind. You and the team put this concern to rest very quickly and this was sincerely appreciated ”. Balustrade could have a handrail over. New Year's Resolution for your home- A Renovation! For stair landing; the width of the landing shall not be less than the stairway width and a minimum of 600 mm clear of cross-traffic, door swing or any other structure. Beautifying Commercial Balustrade With Design Australian Standard. Rust stains on exposed steel reinforcing are signs of a serious problem. This is a great way to capture a minimalist design, but you also need to be aware of the 125 millimetre regulation. Each job is completed to the highest standard using premium materials and fixings to comply with NCC and the relevant Australian Standards. access ways and circulation space for people in wheel chairs. Balustrades or handrails are often made of concrete, steel and timber. Balustrading is required be stiff enough to resist applied pressure and to obey the BCA. General dimensions The height of a handrail above the floor or the nosing of a stair tread, shall be between 900mm and 1100mm. Make sure you use an appropriate weather-proof stain or paint. Handrail Height Australian Standards: Finished Floor Level to Centre of Handrail 1017mm. Therefore, a stairwell needs to be at least 1160-1200mm wide in order to allow for 1000mm clearance, 30-50mm handrail on each side (60-100mm) and 50mm clearance from the wall on both sides (100mm). Information on building regulations, registration, fees, enforcement and more. Standards Australia is committed to maintaining a contemporary and relevant catalogue of Australian Standards® which add to the net benefit of the Australian community. For balustrades using tensioned wire, it’s essential the size and tension of the cable meet the building code. Information about building and plumbing matters for property owners, residents and renovators. Cracking and flaking concrete and corrosion of reinforcement are signs of decay. continuous accessible paths of travel and circulation spaces for people who use wheelchairs; access and facilities for people with ambulatory disabilities; and. The primary function of a balustrade is to act as a fence or guardrail often at great heights and that's why safety is a key consideration in balustrade design and they're are subject to strict requirements. Copyright © 2020 State Government of Victoria. Where a deck or balcony is one metre or higher above the ground, balustrades need to be at least one metre high. The inside handrail on a landing should always be continuous. While balustrades play an important job, the way they look is also important for your home. The Building Code of Australia (BCA) advises that a handrail is required where there is the possibility of falling over one metre or more from a floor or building. Small cracks in a concrete surface may look harmless but allow moisture to get in, which can cause problems. Look for spalling (where chunks of concrete are flaking off or cracking). You should do a visual check each year using the guides below. If overloaded, it may collapse. 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