The use class helps you determine the type of environment in which the current balustrade configuration is suitable for installation. The class applies to the entire configuration, not just the balustrade model itself.
A balustrade that works on a private deck is therefore not automatically suitable for a stairwell or a public setting, even if the balustrades look the same. The difference lies in the load and the environment the finished structure has been verified for.
The use class is Balustradedesign’s own classification and is based on current requirements, the balustrade’s design, and our own tests. In this article, we’ll go over what the classes A+, A, B, and C mean and how to check the class for the configuration you choose.
What does the use class of a balustrade indicate?
The use class indicates the type of environment for which Balustradedesign recommends the specific balustrade configuration. The assessment is based on both how the location is used and the design of the complete balustrade system.
The use class helps you choose a balustrade configuration that is tailored to the environment and the load for which the structure has been verified. At the same time, verify that the final solution meets the safety requirements for the location where the balustrade will be installed.
Where should the balustrade be placed?
A private deck, a shared stairwell, and a public terrace are used in different ways and may therefore place different demands on the balustrade.
How is the balustrade constructed?
Balustrade height, section width, fixing, and other design choices affect the load for which the finished structure is verified.
The results reflect your current selections
The configurator displays the use class for the combination you are building and updates it whenever selections that affect the design are changed.
What do the use classes A+, A, B, and C mean?
Balustradedesign’s use class A+ is verified for at least 1 kN/m and is used as a guideline for balustrades in residential and public settings. Class A is verified for at least 0.5 kN/m and is recommended for residential settings. Class B also has a specified line load of at least 0.5 kN/m but is used where there is a limited height difference. Class C refers to a configuration without corresponding test verification and is intended for ground level where the balustrade does not need to function as fall protection.
Line load is specified in kilonewtons per metre (kN/m) and describes the force per unit length along the top edge of the balustrade. One kN/m corresponds approximately to the weight of 100 kilograms per running metre. The difference between A and A+ lies in the load for which the configuration has been verified. Also verify that the selected solution meets the safety requirements for the location where the balustrade is to be installed.
| Class | Line load | Balustradedesign’s guidance |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | At least 1 kN/m | Residential environments and, for example, offices, restaurants, and shops, provided that the chosen configuration meets the site's requirements. |
| A | At least 0.5 kN/m | Residential environments where the configuration's verified capacity meets the requirements for the location. |
| B | At least 0.5 kN/m | Environments with a limited height difference, after verifying the site requirements and the balustrade's function. |
| C | Untested configuration | At ground level, where the balustrade does not need to provide fall protection. |
What can change the use class of a balustrade?
The use class applies to the complete configuration, not just the product model. When you build a balustrade, therefore, balustrade height, section width, fixing, and other design choices can affect the class assigned to the finished solution.
A taller post gives greater leverage
At the same force, a higher balustrade height can result in greater torque in the post and fixings. Therefore, the class may need to be rechecked when the height is changed.
A longer span affects the load
As the distance between posts increases, each section and attachment point must bear a greater portion of the load. A different section width can therefore result in a different use class.
The design is evaluated as a whole
The installation method, post type, and other design choices affect how the load is transferred to the load-bearing structure and can therefore affect the result.
The same balustrade model can therefore have different use classes depending on how it is configured. Therefore, check the class again after making major changes in the configurator.
What tests are used to determine the use class?
For tested balustrade configurations, the use class is based on testing of the complete structure. Glass, fixings, and other materials are selected based on the balustrade’s design and location. The test results apply to the tested assembly as a whole, not to individual components.
Impact tests on glass balustrades
For our glass balustrades, we conduct impact tests, among other things, based on the Nordic Balcony Association’s method for heavy impact. The tests demonstrate how the complete balustrade structure withstands severe impact and are included in the evaluation when the balustrade’s performance is assessed.
Safety glass in glass balustrades
Where the balustrade has glass, safety glass is used, which is tailored to the design and location. This reduces the risk of injury if the glass is subjected to a strong impact.
The tests apply to the complete balustrade
For tested configurations, the results are used to assess what the finished balustrade structure has been verified for. The use class therefore refers to the structure as a whole, not to an individual post, glass panel, or fixing.
Where can you find the use class for your balustrade?
You'll find the use class below the 3D image in the configurator and later in the quotation or order confirmation email. The class follows the current balustrade configuration from design through order placement.
Below the 3D image
The class appears as an icon below the 3D image and updates as you change balustrade height, section width, fixing, or other settings that affect the configuration.
In the quotation and order emails
The use class is also specified in the email, so you have this information in writing in case a client, inspector, or association asks about it later.
Only complete balustrades
The class applies to the entire structure. Individual glass panels, fittings, and handrails are therefore not assigned their own use class.
When is the use class particularly important?
The use class is relevant regardless of who places the order, but its significance varies depending on where the balustrade will be installed and who needs to be able to verify the selection afterward.
Confidence in the choice
For a homeowner, the classification makes it easier to see if the balustrade is suitable for, say, a deck, balcony, or staircase without having to assess the structure's load-bearing capacity yourself.
The important thing is that the chosen configuration is suitable for the environment where the balustrade is to be installed.
Documentation you can present
For a building owner, developer, or architect, the class becomes part of the documentation demonstrating that the design has been selected for the appropriate usage environment.
The class and other documentation should therefore be saved along with the project files.
How do you check the use class before placing an order?
Start by considering the environment where the balustrade will be installed, and then check how your actual selections affect the use class in the configurator. Review the points below before saving or ordering the balustrade.
Go through these seven points
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Decide how the space will be used
Start by determining whether the balustrade will be installed in a private residence, a common area, or in a location that is open to the public.
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Take into account how many people are there
In a stairwell, on a shared terrace, or in a public setting, the balustrade must be able to withstand loads from several people at the same time.
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Build the balustrade in the configurator
Enter the dimensions and select balustrade height, section widths, fixing, and other details specific to the actual location.
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Check the icon below the 3D image
The use class for the current configuration is displayed there. Check it again after you've made a change.
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Adjust if you need a higher use class
Change one thing at a time. For example, a narrower section width can improve performance without requiring you to change the balustrade system.
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Save the quotation
When you save the configuration, the use class information is included in the quotation or the order confirmation email.
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Request documentation when the project requires it
A building owner, developer, or other project client should request the relevant documentation and save it along with other documents.
The use class applies to the configuration you actually order. Therefore, check the class for any changes and save this information along with the rest of the documentation.
Which balustrade is right for your space?
View our complete selection of balustrades or contact customer service if you would like assistance with use class, placement, and selecting a balustrade.
What do you need to know about use classes for balustrades?
Here are brief answers to common questions about what the use class means, what class a balustrade needs, and why the class may change when the configuration changes.
What does "use class" mean for a balustrade?
The use class is Balustradedesign’s own guideline for the environment in which a particular balustrade configuration may be suitable. This assessment is based on the design of the structure and, for tested configurations, verified performance. The safety requirements for the site must also be verified.
How do I know what use class the balustrade needs?
Consider how the space will be used and check the use class for your selected configuration. Balustradedesign recommends A+ for residential environments and, for example, offices, restaurants, and shops; A for residential environments; and B for situations with a limited level difference. C is intended for ground level where there is no need for fall protection. Always verify that the balustrade’s documented performance meets the requirements for the location.
Can the same balustrade model have different use classes?
Yes. The use class applies to the complete balustrade configuration, not just the model itself. The same balustrade model can therefore have different use classes depending on factors such as balustrade height, section width, fixing, and other design choices.
Why does the use class change when I change the dimensions of the balustrade?
The dimensions of the balustrade affect the load on the structure. For example, a taller post results in a longer lever arm, while a larger section width increases the span between posts. Therefore, the use class may change when the height, section width, or other design choices are altered.
What does use class C mean for a balustrade?
Use class C means that the current configuration lacks corresponding test verification. It is intended for ground level where the balustrade does not need to function as fall protection. If there is a risk of falling, you must select a tested balustrade configuration and verify that its documented performance meets the requirements for the location.
Where can I find the use class in the Balustradedesign configurator?
The use class is displayed as an icon below the 3D image in Balustradedesign’s configurator and is updated whenever selections that affect the design are changed. The class is also shown at quote – or in the order confirmation email when the configuration is saved or ordered.
Does the use class apply to the entire balustrade or to individual parts as well?
The use class applies to the complete balustrade. Individual glass panels, fittings, handrails, and other loose components are therefore not assigned their own use class.
