To choose the right fall protection and balustrade, assess the risk of falling, how the area will be used, whether young children may be present, and how the entire balustrade structure is designed and anchored.
The requirements for balustrades and fall protection follow the building regulations in effect where the balustrade is to be installed, and these may change over time. Therefore, always check which requirements apply to your project before you determine the height and design of the balustrade.
In this safety guide we cover when fall protection is needed, how balustrade height and design are assessed, what matters where young children may be present and what you need to know about glass balustrades, loads, fixings, materials, documentation and ongoing checks.
Which three factors determine the safety requirements for a balustrade?
Three questions guide the assessment: how high the fall risk is, who may be present and what structural conditions there are where the balustrade will be installed. Fall protection requirements are based on the actual risk, the use of the area and the drop height, and follow the local building regulations.
How high is the risk of falling?
Start by assessing where someone could fall and what the consequences could be. Stairs, ramps, balconies, access decks, roof terraces and other areas used by people need fall protection where there is a particular risk of injury.
The height and design of the balustrade must then be adapted to how the area is used and the drop height. The same type of balustrade may therefore need to be designed differently in different locations.
Who will use the space?
The next question is who can be expected to be there. For areas where younger children may be present without constant adult supervision, special requirements apply to the design of the balustrade.
In such areas, fall protection must, among other things, prevent climbing and limit the size of openings. This must therefore be taken into account as early as the design phase of the balustrade.
What are the conditions like at the site?
Finally, the structure itself must be evaluated. The foundation, fixings, balustrade infill, and any use of glass affect how fall protection needs to be designed and constructed.
If the glass is part of fall protection, the glass surface and fixings must function together so that the structure prevents people from falling through where such protection is required. It is therefore not sufficient to evaluate a single component on its own.
Once these three questions have been answered, it is possible to determine which requirements are relevant to the location in question. The next section reviews the principles behind the requirements for balustrades and other fall protection measures.
What principles govern the requirements for balustrades and fall protection?
The requirements for balustrades and fall protection are based on three principles. Fall protection is needed where there is a particular risk of injury, height and design are adapted to how the area is used and the drop height, and where young children may be present, there are specific design requirements.
The details are determined by the building regulations that apply where the balustrade is to be installed. Therefore, there is no single height or design that fits all locations, so always check the requirements that apply to your project before deciding on the balustrade’s height, infill, and fixing.
Fall protection
The risk determines when protection is needed
Stairs, ramps, balconies, access decks, roof terraces and other areas used by people need fall protection where there is a particular risk of injury.
The height and design must minimise the risk of falling, taking into account how the surface is used and the drop height. The structure must also be able to withstand the load that occurs when someone leans against or bumps into the balustrade.
Child safety
Special requirements apply in areas where young children may be present
In areas where younger children may be present without constant adult supervision, the balustrade must prevent climbing, have openings small enough that children cannot squeeze through, and avoid openings where a head or foot could get stuck.
This applies to both the gaps in the infill and the opening at the bottom edge of the balustrade. Exact dimensions must comply with the building regulations that apply where the balustrade is to be installed.
Existing building
Modifying an existing building requires a thorough assessment
When modifying an existing building, the requirements may differ from those that apply to new construction. Therefore, check what applies to the specific modification before selecting the balustrade.
If a solution needs to deviate from standard requirements, the assessment should be conducted by someone with the appropriate expertise and documented.
What do safety class, Eurocode and Balustradedesign’s use classes mean?
Safety class, Eurocode and use class describe three different things. The safety class concerns the level of safety a structure must have, the Eurocodes are a design system and Balustradedesign’s use classes are our own guidance for different balustrade configurations.
A+, A, B, and C are therefore not official safety classes. When evaluating a balustrade, the use class must always be compared with the load, usage, and safety requirements that apply at the actual location.
Building regulations
Safety class
The safety class describes the level of safety a structural system must have, taking into account the risk of serious personal injury if the structure fails.
Which safety class applies depends on the type of building and how it is used, and is determined by the building regulations where the building is located. The more people in the building and the more serious the consequences of a failure, the higher the level of safety needed.
Structural design
Eurocode
The Eurocodes are European design standards that can be used to design structures and demonstrate that the requirements for load-bearing capacity, stability, and durability are met.
The Eurocodes are applied in accordance with the regulations in effect where the building is located. For balustrades, design calculations for the loads that may occur at the specific location are particularly important.
Balustradedesign’s system
Use class
A+, A, B, and C are Balustradedesign’s own use classes and are intended to make it easier to interpret the selected balustrade configuration. They are not safety classes or usage categories in the building regulations.
The use class may change when, for example, balustrade height, the section width, or other parts of the configuration are modified. Therefore, it must always be evaluated in conjunction with the requirements for the location where the balustrade will be used.
Balustradedesign’s use classes
How should A+, A, B, and C be interpreted?
The table summarises the load level displayed for each use class in Balustradedesign's system. The letter does not replace an assessment of the requirements at the specific location.
| Use class | Load level | Things to Keep in Mind |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | At least 1.0 kN/m | The highest reported load level in this overview of use classes. |
| A | At least 0.5 kN/m | Suitability still needs to be assessed in light of the site's load requirements and the selected configuration. |
| B | At least 0.5 kN/m | The same specified line load does not mean that the class automatically fits into the same environment as A. |
| C | Restricted use | May refer to a special configuration for which the corresponding load level is not reported. |
Safety class and Balustradedesign’s use classes A+–C are two completely different systems. The use class can help when choosing a balustrade configuration, but it is the requirements for the building and its use that decide which load the structure must be designed for.
What safety glass is required in a glass balustrade?
When the glass is part of fall protection, the glass surface and fixings must be designed together so that a person cannot fall through the glass, even if someone bumps into it. The requirements for compliance are set forth in the building regulations applicable where the balustrade is to be installed.
For a glass balustrade, it is therefore the safety function that determines the choice of glass. No single glass type suits every glass balustrade. Laminated safety glass is one example of glass that can protect against falling through, because it holds together if it breaks.
The requirement
Glass and fixings need to prevent people from falling through
If a glass surface is positioned and designed in such a way that a person could fall through it, the glass surface and fixings must prevent falls through the glass, even if someone bumps into it.
One option could be a permanent guard in front of the glass surface that prevents anyone from bumping into the glass. The solutions that are acceptable are governed by the building regulations in effect where the balustrade is to be installed.
Important difference
Falling through glass and cuts are two different risks
Laminated safety glass is an example of glass that can provide protection against falls through the glass surface because the glass layers remain bonded together even after breakage.
Protection against falling through must be distinguished from protection against cuts. The position, breakage behaviour and function of the glass must therefore be assessed based on the risk on site.
On-site assessment
When does the glass need to provide protection against falls?
The need for protection against falling through depends on where the glass is located and how high the drop is. Exact limits are specified in the building regulations that apply where the balustrade is to be installed.
Factors that reinforce one another
Or
Particular risk of injury
This need may also arise when the positioning or design of the glass otherwise poses a particular risk of personal injury in the event of a fall through the glass surface.
Glass, fixings, and other components must function as a cohesive structure. Current requirements can be found in the building regulations that apply where the balustrade is to be installed.
What are the balustrade heights and glass requirements in different environments?
There is no general balustrade height or single type of glass that is suitable for all environments. The height and design of the balustrade must be assessed based on the location’s use and the drop height, while the requirements for glass depend on factors such as location and the risk of falling through or cuts. The applicable requirements are set forth in the building regulations that apply where the balustrade is to be installed.
The table provides an overview of what is particularly important on a patio, balcony, staircase, at a Juliet balcony, and in public spaces. Several of these settings are discussed in greater detail later in the guide.
| Environment | Balustrade height | Glass and safety |
|---|---|---|
| Balcony | Assessed based on the fall risk, how the deck is used and the drop height. | The location and function of the glass determine the requirements for protection against falling through glass and cuts. |
| Balcony | The height and design must minimise the risk of falling based on the balcony's use and drop height. | If the glass is part of fall protection, the glass, fixings and the rest of the structure must together provide sufficient protection against falling through. |
| Staircase and landing | The height of the balustrade is adjusted according to its use and the drop height. The function of the handrail is assessed separately. | Glass is evaluated based on its location and the associated risk. In areas where younger children may be present, there are also specific requirements regarding the design of balustrades and openings. |
| Juliet balcony | The guard in front of the opening must be of a height and design that minimises the risk of falls. | If the glass functions as fall protection, the glass and fixings must be evaluated as a single, integrated structure. |
| Public spaces | Here, too, height and design are determined based on use and the drop height. | The safety function of the glass must be combined with the load requirements and other safety requirements that apply to the intended use of the premises. |
The environment alone does not determine the requirements. The final solution must always be evaluated based on the actual risk of falling, the intended use, drop height, and the design to be used.
How do loads and fixings affect the safety of the balustrade?
The safety of a balustrade depends both on the load the structure must withstand and on how the forces are transferred to the load-bearing substrate. A strong post is therefore not enough if the fixings or the structure beneath the balustrade is too weak.
When designing a balustrade, the entire load path must therefore be verified, from the balustrade infill and post or profile to the fixings and the load-bearing structure.
Load
How does the load vary depending on usage?
The load on a balustrade depends on how the space is used. The more people who may move near the balustrade and the more crowding that may occur, the greater the demands placed on the structure. Exact values are specified in the building regulations applicable to the location where the balustrade is to be installed.
Few people and quiet use
The balustrade is primarily subjected to stress from everyday use, such as when someone leans against it.
More people and more activity
More people can be near the balustrade at the same time, and the risk that someone will bump into it increases.
Goods and operations near the balustrade
Where goods may build up or equipment and operations are close to the balustrade, the load can be greater.
Crowding that can create large forces
In places where large numbers of people can gather in close proximity, the forces acting against the balustrade can be significant.
The load must be assessed based on actual use and then be carried by the entire balustrade structure, from the balustrade infill and posts to the fixings and load-bearing substrate.
Fixing
The load must be able to be transferred to the load-bearing structure
The fixings are the link between the balustrade and the load-bearing structure of the building or deck. The substrate and fixings must therefore be able to take up and transfer the forces that occur when the balustrade is loaded.
01
Check the substrate
The fixings must reach a part that can take the load. On timber decking, the structure under the boards must therefore be assessed, not just the surface layer.
02
Adapt the fixings
Timber, concrete and steel have different properties. Fixings, positions and edge distances need to suit both the balustrade system and the actual substrate.
03
Track the entire load path
Check the path from the balustrade infill and post or profile, through the fixings, to the load-bearing structure. Every part must be able to transfer the relevant load.
A balustrade is only as strong as its weakest link in the load path. The load requirement, the balustrade components, the fixings, and the load-bearing substrate must therefore be evaluated as a single, integrated structure.
Which material resists corrosion best outdoors?
There is no single balustrade material that is best for all outdoor environments. Powder-coated aluminium is an easy-to-maintain option that does not develop the same type of rust as steel, while AISI 316 offers better resistance than AISI 304 when exposure to salt and chlorides increases.
In coastal or otherwise exposed environments, fixings, fittings, and other metal parts must also be selected with care. A aluminium balustrade may therefore be of particular interest when good durability and a limited need for recurring surface treatment are prioritised.
Powder-coated aluminium
Aluminium does not contain iron and therefore does not develop the type of rust that forms on steel. The powder coating also provides the surface with extra protection against the elements and wear and tear.
This material is well-suited for balustrades that will be exposed to the outdoors for a long time and where the need for periodic surface treatment should be kept to a minimum.
AISI 316
AISI 316 offers better corrosion resistance than AISI 304 in chloride-containing environments. This makes it more suitable when stainless steel is exposed to, for example, sea salt or de-icing salt.
Even AISI 316 needs to be chosen and maintained to suit the setting. Stainless steel is corrosion-resistant but not completely immune to attack.
AISI 304
AISI 304 has good corrosion resistance in many less exposed outdoor environments and can be an alternative where exposure to salt and chlorides is low.
However, when the levels of salt and chlorides increase, the material is more sensitive than AISI 316 and therefore needs to be evaluated more carefully.
What safety requirements apply to decking balustrades?
A deck requires fall protection when the difference in elevation and the conditions at the site pose a particular risk of personal injury. The specific requirements are determined by the building regulations that apply where the deck is located, so there is no single standard that applies to all decks.
Where fall protection is needed, the height and design of the balustrade must limit the fall risk, taking into account how the deck is used and the drop height. Where young children may be present, the design must also discourage climbing and stop children falling through or getting stuck.
Assess the deck
Three questions that determine how fall protection should be designed
Is there a particular risk of falling?
Assess the difference in elevation along with the deck’s design and how people can move around on the surface. A small difference in elevation does not automatically mean that a balustrade is required, but the threshold is determined by the building regulations that apply where the deck is located.
How will the deck be used?
The height and design of the balustrade must suit how the deck is used and the drop height. A large seating area, for example, may need to be assessed differently from a small area with more limited use.
Can young children be there?
If younger children are expected to be on the deck without constant adult supervision, specific requirements apply to the design of the balustrade. The infill, openings, and the bottom edge of the balustrade must be designed so that children cannot climb over, fall through, or get stuck.
What safety requirements apply to balcony balustrades?
A balcony requires fall protection when drop height and the circumstances pose a particular risk of personal injury. The height and design of the balustrade must then be adapted to how the balcony is used and the actual drop height.
There is no single height that suits all balconies, and the requirements are based on the building regulations that apply where the balcony is located. In areas where young children may be present, there are also specific design requirements intended to prevent climbing, falling through, and the risk of children getting stuck in openings.
Where young children may be present
How do you design a child-safe balcony balustrade?
In areas where younger children are likely to be present without constant adult supervision, four aspects of the balustrade’s design are particularly important. Exact dimensions must comply with the building regulations in effect where the balcony is located.
Avoid footholds on the lower part of the balustrade
The lower part of the balustrade should be designed to prevent younger children from climbing on it. Avoid horizontal sections that could serve as footholds.
Limit the width of the openings
Vertical openings in the infill must be narrow enough that a young child cannot squeeze through the balustrade.
Limit the opening towards the floor
The clearance between the bottom of the balustrade and the balcony floor must be small enough that a child cannot crawl under the balustrade or get stuck there.
Avoid openings where children could get stuck
Horizontal openings above the lower part of the balustrade must be designed so that a child cannot get their head or foot stuck. Certain opening sizes are particularly risky, and the specific requirements are set forth in the building regulations that apply where the balcony is located.
What safety requirements apply to staircase balustrades and handrails?
On a staircase, the balustrade and handrail serve different safety functions. The balustrade is designed to prevent falls where there is a particular risk of personal injury, while the handrail provides support for balance while walking.
How many handrails a staircase needs depends on its width, how it is used and the building regulations where it is located. Fall protection and balance support must therefore be assessed separately.
The balustrade
Protects against falls
The balustrade or other fall protection must have a height and design that limit the risk of injury, taking into account how the stairs are used and the drop height.
The structure must also be able to withstand the load that occurs when someone leans against or bumps into the balustrade. Balustrade infill, posts, or profiles and fixings must therefore work together.
Handrail
Supports balance
The handrail must be positioned and designed so that it is easy to grip and runs as continuously as possible along the staircase.
A handrail that stands out clearly against the surrounding surfaces is easier to find and use. In some buildings, there are specific requirements for this, and these requirements are governed by the building rules that apply where the staircase is located.
The function of the handrail
Support must be available throughout the movement
The handrail must provide useful support before beginning to walk up the stairs, along the entire flight of stairs, and when the movement is completed.
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Start
A secure handhold must be available before movement begins
The handrail must be designed to provide support before the user begins moving up or down the stairs.
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Along the stairs
The handrail must be easy to grip and unbroken
The handrail should run as continuously as possible along the stairs and be positioned and shaped so that it is easy to grip. Breaks in the handrail make it harder to hold on all the way.
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The end
Support needs to be available at the end of the movement
The handrail must also be designed so that the user has support as they finish using the stairs and step onto the floor or landing.
A staircase balustrade and a handrail may be parts of the same structure, but they serve different purposes. The balustrade reduces the risk of falling, while handrail provides balance support during movement.
What balustrade requirements apply in public and commercial settings?
In public and commercial settings, the balustrade must be sized for how the premises are actually used. An office, a shop and premises where large crowds may gather may therefore need to withstand different loads.
A public or commercial environment is not, in and of itself, a separate load category. Instead, the design load is determined by how the space is used, in accordance with the building regulations that apply where the building is located, and the entire balustrade structure must be able to transfer the load to the load-bearing substrate.
Load
How do balustrade loads differ between types of use?
The load on a balustrade increases with how many people can move along it and how much crowding can occur. The table shows four common situations. Exact values follow the building regulations where the balustrade will be installed.
| Type of activity | Load | Examples of use |
|---|---|---|
| Residential and office space | Lower | Low occupancy and quiet use, such as in residential and office buildings. |
| Shops and assembly halls | Higher | More people and more activity, for example in shops and assembly areas. |
| Warehouses and working areas | High | Areas where goods may accumulate or where equipment and operations are located near the balustrade. |
| Large crowds | Very high | Areas where large crowds can gather and exert considerable force on a balustrade. |
Who is responsible for ensuring that the balustrade meets safety requirements?
During the design and construction phases, it is primarily the person who commissions the construction or modification who is responsible for ensuring that the balustrade and the structure of which it is a part meet the applicable requirements. This applies even when the design, delivery, or installation is carried out by others.
The division of responsibility among the parties involved is governed by the regulations that apply where the building is located. After completion, the building must be maintained so that the balustrade’s safety function is preserved over time.
Division of responsibilities
It is important to distinguish between three roles
During the construction phase
The person commissioning the construction bears primary responsibility
Anyone who commissions construction or modification work is responsible for ensuring that the work and the design on which it is based meet the requirements. For a balustrade, this means, among other things, that the construction, sizing, fixing, and foundation must work together.
In the project
Other stakeholders have different roles
Designers, manufacturers, contractors, and other consultants can assist with design, delivery, installation, and inspection. They contribute their expertise and skills, but the division of responsibility among them is governed by the regulations in effect where the building is located.
After completion
The owner must maintain the safety function
The building must be kept in good condition and maintained so that its technical characteristics are essentially preserved. For the balustrade, this means, for example, that damage, loose fixings, corrosion, and changes in the substrate must be monitored.
What documentation is required for a balustrade?
The documentation must make it possible to verify the conditions for which the balustrade was designed, which properties of the materials and components are relevant, and which inspections have been performed.
Exactly which documents are required depends on the project and on the regulations that apply where the building is located. For a balustrade, it is particularly important that the load, the environment in which it will be used, drop height, fixing, and the load-bearing substrate can be linked to the chosen design, and that the results of relevant inspections are documented.
Documentation trail
Three areas to document and track
Design
The design assumptions must be clearly stated
The design must be documented so that it can be verified. For a balustrade, for example, the documentation may include the service environment, the design load, drop height, the selected dimensions, fixing, and the load-bearing substrate to which the structure is to be anchored.
Product characteristics
It must be possible to evaluate materials and components
The properties of construction products and materials that the design requires must be identifiable and verifiable. For a balustrade, this may include, for example, glass, posts, or profiles, fixings, and other components that together affect the safety function.
Check
It must be possible to see what has been checked
The results of the inspections conducted must be documented. The documentation must show that the requirements have been verified and how the inspection was carried out. Depending on the project, the documentation may include, for example, inspection notes, photographs, reports, or other relevant documents.
How often should a balustrade be inspected and maintained?
A balustrade should be inspected after installation, on an ongoing basis during use, and after any events that may have affected the structure. There is no standard inspection interval that applies to all balustrades.
The frequency of inspections and maintenance depends, among other things, on the materials, usage, exposure to the elements, and the environment where the balustrade is located. Also, follow the care and maintenance instructions that apply to the specific balustrade and its components.
Ongoing inspections
When should the balustrade be inspected?
Inspection requirements change over the course of the balustrade's service life. Start with installation, monitor the structure during use, and perform an additional inspection if anything may have affected the balustrade.
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After installation
Make sure the structure is stable
Check that posts or profiles, fixings, and the balustrade infill are installed as intended and that no parts have been damaged during installation.
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During use
Adapt the inspections to the environment
An outdoor balustrade that is exposed to the elements, salt, or heavy use may need to be inspected more frequently than a balustrade in a protected indoor environment. The frequency of inspections should be based on the balustrade’s actual conditions.
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After an incident
Don't wait until your next scheduled inspection
Inspect the balustrade after severe impacts, collisions, renovations adjacent to fixing, or if any part begins to move, become deformed, or otherwise deviate from its previous condition.
Be sure to check, in particular,
Inspect the entire structure
Check for movement at posts, profiles, and fixings, damage to the balustrade infill, cracks or edge damage to the glass, visible corrosion or wear, and changes in the substrate to which the balustrade is anchored.
What should you check before ordering a balustrade?
Before placing your order, you need to be clear about the intended use of the location, the risk of falls, drop height, the dimensions, and fixing. Also check whether young children can be present there and whether the material is suitable for the environment where the balustrade will be installed.
Before placing an order
Check these six points
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Decide how the space will be used
Consider whether the balustrade will be installed on, for example, a deck, balcony, staircase, or other outdoor area, and who will typically use that space.
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Assess the risk of falling and the drop height
Determine where there is a particular risk of injury from a fall and the height of the drop. This affects how the height and design of the fall protection system need to be assessed.
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Consider whether young children may be present
If younger children are expected to use the area, the balustrade’s climbing potential and openings must be taken into account as early as the design phase.
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Check the dimensions of the finished space
Measure where the balustrade will actually be installed, using existing levels and surfaces as a reference. Check lengths, corners, level differences, and other factors that affect the balustrade's positioning.
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Find out what the balustrade should be anchored to
The fixing must be adapted to the supporting structure. Therefore, check the material and construction of the substrate and determine where fixing can be placed before deciding on the balustrade's dimensions and installation.
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Adapt the material to the environment
Consider whether the balustrade will be installed indoors or outdoors and how much it will be exposed to factors such as weather, moisture, salt, and repeated wear and tear.
Once factors such as intended use, fall risk, drop height, dimensions, child safety, surface conditions, and the environment have been clarified, there is a significantly better basis for choosing the right balustrade and planning fixing.
Which balustrade is best suited to your situation?
Once you have a clear understanding of the intended use, fall risk, drop height, dimensions, fixing, and the environment, you can compare our balustrades and choose a solution that suits the location. If you need help making your choice, customer service can assist you further.
What do you need to know about balustrades and fall protection?
Here are brief answers to frequently asked questions about when fall protection is needed, balustrade height, child safety, glass balustrades, and handrails.
How do I know what requirements apply to my balustrade?
The requirements are set by the building regulations where the balustrade will be installed and depend on the type of building, how the area is used and the drop height, among other things. If you are unsure, contact your local building control or a structural engineer before choosing a balustrade.
When is a balustrade or other fall protection required?
Stairs, ramps, balconies, access decks, roof terraces and other areas used by people in or next to buildings need fall protection where there is a particular risk of injury from a fall. Where the limit lies follows the building regulations where the balustrade will be installed.
How high does a balustrade have to be?
There is no single height that suits all balustrades. The height and design of the balustrade must be adapted to how the area is used and the drop height, so that the risk of injury is minimised. The required height is specified in the building regulations that apply where the balustrade is to be installed.
How should a balustrade be designed where children may be present?
In areas where younger children may be present without constant supervision, the balustrade must prevent climbing and have openings small enough that children cannot squeeze through. This applies to both the gaps in the balustrade panels and the opening at the bottom of the balustrade. Also avoid openings where a child’s head or foot could get stuck. Exact dimensions must comply with the building regulations in effect where the balustrade is to be installed.
Does a glass balustrade always have to have laminated safety glass?
It depends on where the balustrade is installed and how the glass forms part of the fall protection. Where someone could fall through the glass, the glass and fixings together must prevent this. Laminated safety glass is one example of glass that can protect against falling through, because it holds together if it breaks.
Does a staircase need a handrail on both sides?
The number of handrails a staircase requires depends on the staircase’s width, how it is used, and the building regulations that apply where the staircase is located. The handrail provides support for balance, while the balustrade protects against falls, so the two need to be assessed separately.
Who is responsible for ensuring that a balustrade meets the requirements?
During the design and construction phases, it is primarily the party commissioning the construction or modification who is responsible for ensuring that the balustrade and the design on which it is based meet the applicable requirements. This also applies when the design, manufacturing, or installation is performed by others.
