Handrail 200 lb force 1

[boze]

Osha codes and IBC codes require that handrails can sustain a 200 lb force. One of the codes, but not the other, includes "200 lb force in any direction".

Any direction of course includes vertical force. This is easily accomplished by pinning the handrail at the base. How about the situation where want to easily remove a section of the handrail?

Which code governs?

 

[HouseBoy]

The term "any direction" doesn't mean you pick the direction and that is all you have to do. The rail must be checked for the force in any (and all) direction(s)

 

[JAE]

I guess I always assumed that was any horizontal direction.

 

[GregLocock]

From a practical perspective it should read /all/ directions. Incidentally I weigh 240 lb, and can easily support my weight from one hand. Last month our yacht heeled over and I was hanging from one hand for 10 seconds.



Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[zcp]

boze,

If you go with the spirit of the code, you could accomplish your "removable" handrail in one of two ways:

1) pin / bolt / 1/4 turn / removable fasteners ...... this handles the "any direction" but takes effort to remove

2) pipe inside a pipe.......think about this one for a second. If you have a 2" stub up with the rail post inserted over it, have you accounted for someone falling in an upward manner. No, it would be to easy to displace the rail. But if you had a 12" stub, it is improbable for someone to fall (or lean) in an upward manner that would slide the rail posts for 12" in an upward direction and so you have met the spirit of the code.

This was a long rambling statement, but was my thought process when I read your post.

ZCP

http://www.phoenix-engineer.com

 

[baueng]

For industrial removable guard railing sections I use chains with one emd hooked, other end permanently attached. Works & looks great.

 

[IFRs]

Pipe in a sleeve can be made secure with a through pin. Very common.

 

[MadMango]

The industry I work in also has the 200lb "any direction" clause. We were able to use a simple spring detent (stamped) which met the requirement in the vertical direction. Look at McMaster.com and search for "spring tube connector" for examples.

[green]"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."[/green]
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[JoeTank]

Mr Locock,
In the old days, that's about 16 stone, if I recall my time is Oz correctly.

Steve Braune
Tank Industry Consultants

http://www.tankindustry.com

 

[jike]

We normally used "set screws" to secure the post to the sleeve.

 

[GregLocock]

Steve: I wish!

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[Ron]

Boze...the application decides whether it is a building code issue or an OSHA issue. OSHA addresses such items with regard to repetitive employment applications, while the building code is more universal....if it is part of a building and will be there permanently, the building code will apply. If it is used as part of an employment function then both would apply, the more stringent prevailing.

The general assumption is that the 200 lbf. is applied at any point, generally in a horizontal orientation as the vertical direction is not the primary direction for intended resistance. The handrail is intended to resist lateral movement. As for the open section of handrail, just make sure the connection does not compromise the lateral force resistance and it should be OK. It is commonly done for mezzanine loading operations.

 

[boze]

My thanks to the multiple responses for the hand rail loading.
I was a little reluctant to raise a question which seems so elementary.

 

[mrMikee]

Generally I would design for the 200# in any direction mostly thinking about the horizonatal and vertical forces. The horizontal force is "primary direction for intended resistance" as Ron mentioned but the vertical force is important in my opinion because of the possibility of someone sitting on the rail or hoisting something up from it. These conditions would end up a handrail that should meet the 200# force up loading except for the removable handrails in which case I saw some good ideas in previous posts.

I would like to add to this by saying I would check z-axis bending for angles since that would be the weakest condition. Also I like to interpret the handrail spec conservatively because I don't do enough of it to add any real cost when compared to detailing, fabrication, and installation issues.

Actually today I am going to be checking OSHA for handrails using angles because my recollection is that the criteria is 200# but not less than a L2x2x3/8 angle. My boss says that's for eight foot spans and a smaller anlge can be used for shorter spans if the 200# load is met. For the intermediate rail he uses a flat bar.

Regards,
-Mike

 

[Dennis59]

There have been some good discussions of this issue previously as well. To find them, do an advanced full site search with the terms "guardrail 200" (not in quotes) and specify "all words".

Now I'll get on my terminology soapbox for just a second...
I know it may seem a silly distinction, but a lot of folks use the terms "handrail" and "guardrail" incorrectly.
A handrail is one single sloping rail that your hand grips as you go up or down a ramp or stair. A guardrail guards your life by preventing you from falling off of one place to a place you'd rather not go. (IBC calls it a 'guard', and OSHA calls it a 'standard railing')
A handrail may be affixed to a wall, or it may be affixed to a guardrail. In some instances, the top rail of a guardrail may do double duty by also serving as a handrail.

Getting back to the load issue...
Per IBC, some guardrails are taller than the handrails that are affixed to them, and in this instance, the 200# needs to be applied to the top of the guardrail AND to the handrail, though not simultaneously.

In all cases the handrail needs to be able to resist the 200# and transmit it to whatever the handrail is attached to (be it a structure or a guardrail).

In all cases, the 200# is a concentrated load. As an alternate to this concentrated load, a uniform load of 50 pounds/ft also needs to be considered. Again, it is applied to the handrail and the handrail needs to resist it and transmit it. It also is to be applied to the highest point on the guardrail. For a handrail attached to a taller guardrail, you'd first check to see that the handrail works for its 50#/' load, then take that load away and check the guardrail for a 50#/' load. Often the 50#/' load will govern over the 200# load because posts and handrail brackets are often spaced at over 5' on center.

 

[Dennis59]

Did I say over 5' on center? I meant over 4' on center!
Good grief.

 

[JStephen]

I believe OSHA specifies that the midrail should be of similar strength to the top rail. I have also seen flat bar used, but it doesn't meet that OSHA requirement.

Right offhand, I don't recall if OSHA even specifies a load. I know they specify the 2x2x3/8 angle or member of equivalent bending strength or 1.5" OD standard weight pipe.

 

[mrMikee]

Dennis59,
As you suggested I did the search and want to point out to others here that thread507-92825 contains some good info plus some interesting links. I will be spending time later to go over a few of these.

JStephen,
I agree, the flat bar doesn't meet the OSHA requirements. Also, The L2x2x3/8 angle is a minimum size and the 200# is the minimum load. Period. IMO.

Thanks,
-Mike

 

[mrMikee]

To clarify my previous post I meant to say that the L2x2x3/8 (as far as i can tell now) is the minimum size for angles and did not want to imply that others shapes are not permitted which of course they are.

Just wanted to make sure my statement was clear. It made sense to me at the time.

Regards,
-Mike

 

[IFRs]

mrMike - you have hit the nail on the head. Other shapes are accepted. I think that OSHA allows the use of other midrail members as long as the midrail provides protection equivalent to an OSHA standard railing. One interpretation of this is that equivalent bending strength for a midrail is not required if equivalent protection is achieved. If a flat bar midrail provides equivelent protection, then it is acceptable.