Often the two are used interchangeably. However, a guardrail is a barricade installed at the perimeter of a raised surface such as balconies or walkways. While a handrail is any horizontal or sloping railing especially on escalators or stairways on which you can grasp by the hand.
What is the difference between railing and handrail?
A railing is the obstruction that prevents people from falling off the side of a staircase, and it can either be attached to a wall, extend from the stair rail, or sit on top of the balusters (vertical posts) on the open side of a staircase.
What are the OSHA requirements for handrail?
According to 1910.29(f)(1)(ii)(B), the top rail must be at least 42 inches tall, and the handrail must be between 30 and 38 inches tall (as measured from the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the rail).
What is a stair guard rail?
A guardrail, which differs from a handrail in that it is a life-saving device, is a railing that is used to prevent falling from an elevated surface like a deck or balcony. Guardrails come in a variety of styles, but all are designed for safety. Staircase between walls with an aluminum handrail.
Opening Limitations: OSHA requires a 21 midrail so that a 19 or larger spherical object cannot pass through the guardrail. Height: Top rail to walking-working surface should be around 42 inches — allows flexibility for /-3 inches.
How tall should a guard rail be?
The following rules must be followed when using guardrail systems: (1) The top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, must be 42 inches (1.1 m) plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm) above the walking/working level.
Why do we need handrails?
Inclement weather, such as rain, ice, sleet, and snow, when flooring surfaces can become slick and dangerous, especially for young children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, makes railings especially important to increase safety.
What is a safety handrail?
Handrails and stair rail systems have smooth surfaces to protect workers from injuries like punctures or lacerations and to prevent clothing from catching or snagging. 1910.29(f)(4) Stair rail openings.
What is a handrail in navigation?
Handrails. Handrails can be paths, walls, fences, ditches, lines of fence posts, pylons, streams, etc. They can be used to take you to an attack point or directly to your target destination. Handrails are linear features that can be used as a means of navigating and are especially useful in times of poor visibility.
Can a handrail be used as a guardrail?
In situations like this, handrails would not be used because they frequently have a lot of open space below them and are ineffective because people can very easily go under the rail and into the road.
Can guardrail and handrail be the same?
The IRC requirements for them are different because a handrail is specifically defined as a rail and has the function of giving you something to hold onto, whereas a guards function is to prevent you from falling over the edge.
What is a guard rail?
Guardrail is defined as a railing that usually guards against danger, particularly a barrier placed along the edge of a highway at risky points.
What is the difference between a handrail and a stair rail?
A stair railing, on the other hand, is mostly to prevent people from falling off the side of the stairs. They arent asked to do much more – and they dont. This is why people are choosing them to protect family members like seniors who face threats from falling.
What is the difference between a banister and a handrail?
The main function of the banister under the stairs, which is located under the handrails, is to prevent people from falling from the sides of the stairs or ramps for safety reasons. The banister is made up of numerous vertical columns or solid parts that are located on the sides of the stairs.
What are handrails used for?
Handrails are frequently used while ascending or descending stairways and escalators in order to prevent harmful falls or to hold necessities. Handrails are typically supported by balusters or attached to walls. They are typically used to provide support for the body or to hold clothing in a bathroom or other similar areas.
When should guardrails be used?
GUARDRAIL REQUIREMENTS Per OSHA standard 1910.23(c), a guardrail is required on all open sides of any platform that is 4 feet or higher above a lower floor or the ground in order to prevent employees from falling to lower levels.
What is guard rail in house?
Guardrail can be designed to be suitable for use as a handrail, which is a rail that provides a handhold on a platform, walkway, stairway, or step ladder. Definition: Guardrail is to provide edge protection at the edge of a floor, platform, or walkway.
What is a guard on a deck?
Guards are required on residential decks that are higher than 762 mm (30 in.) above ground level, and per IRC, the guard must be 914 mm (36 in.) tall to protect occupants from falling off the deck for any reason.