Is handrail attaching to a chkr plate ok?

[SKJ25POL]

Dear Colleagues,
Anybody knows any OSHA requirements/rule that we cannot attached handrail to Checker Plates?
Is it wrong if handrail is attached to a checker plate to be supported?

Thank you for helping me out to understand this.

Sincerely,
Skj

 

[birneys]

I'd be very surprised if you can provide adequate support for the required handrail loading from checkered plate on its own.

 

[CANPRO]

I think it depends on a couple of things. How thick is the plate? How far is the nearest support on the underside of plate? Where you going to weld the handrail post to the plate? If there is a beam directly below the post, you could plug weld the plate to the beam near the post to stiffen up the plate. Alternatively, you could bolt the handrail down to the plate+beam.

A section of the proposed connection, showing how the plate is supported would be helpful.

 

[SKJ25POL]

Thank you for your responses.
The Checker Plate is 3/16" thick.
Please see attached.

Appreciate for your comments.

 

[BridgeSmith]

If it's only connected to the 3/16" plate, the calculated capacity would likely not meet OSHA or code requirements. OTOH, it is a decent sized pipe at the connection, so it might pass 'by the numbers'. If it doesn't I believe there would be the option of load testing it, to check whether it is adequate 'as built'.

Are you sure there isn't a smaller pipe embedded in the floor that extends up inside the posts? I've seen that kind of 'sleeve' arrangement a few times on similar railings.

 

[SKJ25POL]

HotRod10 (Structural),
Thank you for your response may I ask whats "OTOH"?
I googled it but didn't find any information.

May I ask what are the handrail "Load Testing" standards? What companies do that? Do you have couple names?

Thank you

 

[BAretired]

OTOH = on the other hand

BA

 

[CANPRO]

Load test would be pretty straight forward as long as you have something to anchor a tension line to in the vicinity of the handrail. You could contact a local company to does fall arrest testing, or maybe a company that provides and installs rigging could help.

You could also test it yourself fairly easily. Get your self a load cell appropriate for the applied load (probably 50-200lbs range, check local codes)and a means of applying tension. The load isn't too high, a small diameter cable and turnbuckle would probably work. Check the posts for any distress and for plumb before the test, apply the load to the post and hold for a few minutes, then check again for distress and make sure the post returns to its original position. Repeat similar procedure for the rails.