ASTM E985-00e1

Standard Specification for Permanent Metal Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings

SCOPE
1.1 This specification  describes permanent metal railing systems (guard, stair, and ramp-rail systems) and rails (hand, wall, grab, and transfer rails) installed in and for agricultural, assembly, commercial, educational, industrial, institutional, recreational, and residential buildings.
1.2 This specification is intended to be applied to permanent metal railing systems for buildings and to such railing systems and rails having major structural components made of metal, with their secondary components made of metal or other materials such as wood, plastics, and glass.
1.3 This specification considers that today's and tomorrow's overall outlook is based on the health and safety of all potential users of buildings. The criteria incorporated in this specification provide for normal and anticipated building uses, but not for abuses for which the building and its components are not designed.
1.4 This specification establishes basic minimum requirements and criteria that lead to satisfactory products under normal use conditions and does not give consideration to design criteria for specific field conditions, the establishment of which is the prerogative and responsibility of the designer, specification writer, and code agencies.
1.5 Sources of supportive information are listed in the Reference section (1-28)

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2000
• ICS: 91.060.30 - Ceilings. Floors. Stairs
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.56 - Performance of Railing Systems and Glass for Floors and Stairs

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E985-00(2006) - Standard Specification for Permanent Metal Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings (Withdrawn 2015)
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2006
• Referred By: ASTM E894-23 - Standard Test Method for Anchorage of Permanent Metal Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E935-21 - Standard Test Methods for Performance of Permanent Metal Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E1481-00a(2021) - Standard Terminology of Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2000

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
e1
Designation: E 985 – 00
Standard Specification for
Permanent Metal Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 985; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE—Editorial corrections were made in August 2000.
1. Scope Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
E 1481 Terminology of Railing Systems and Rails for
1.1 This specification describes permanent metal railing
Buildings
systems (guard, stair, and ramp-rail systems) and rails (hand,
wall, grab, and transfer rails) installed in and for agricultural,
3. Terminology
assembly, commercial, educational, industrial, institutional,
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms covering railing
recreational, and residential buildings.
systems and rails for buildings, see Terminology E 631 and
1.2 Thisspecificationisintendedtobeappliedtopermanent
Terminology E 1481.
metal railing systems for buildings and to such railing systems
and rails having major structural components made of metal,
4. Design Requirements
with their secondary components made of metal or other
4.1 Railing Height:
materials such as wood, plastics, and glass.
4.1.1 Guardrail Systems:
1.3 Thisspecificationconsidersthattoday’sandtomorrow’s
4.1.1.1 The fabricated height of a guardrail system, mea-
overalloutlookisbasedonthehealthandsafetyofallpotential
sured from its top surface to the finished floor level, shall be a
users of buildings. The criteria incorporated in this specifica-
minimum of 1.07 m (42 in.). When variations in the evenness
tion provide for normal and anticipated building uses, but not
of the finished floor will result in individual height measure-
for abuses for which the building and its components are not
ments of the installed guardrail system to be less than 1.04 m
designed.
(41 in.), the fabricated height of the guardrail system shall be
1.4 This specification establishes basic minimum require-
increased accordingly.
ments and criteria that lead to satisfactory products under
4.1.1.2 Within an individual dwelling unit, the required
normal use conditions and does not give consideration to
railing height is reduced.
designcriteriaforspecificfieldconditions,theestablishmentof
(a) (a ) Where the vertical distance between adjacent
which is the prerogative and responsibility of the designer,
finishedfloorlevelsislessthan1.83m(72in.),theheightshall
specification writer, and code agencies.
be a minimum of 0.81 m (32 in.). When variations in the
1.5 Sources of supportive information are listed in the
3 evenness of the finished floor will result in individual height
Reference section (1-28).
measurements of the installed guardrail system to be less than
2. Referenced Documents 0.79 m (31 in.), the fabricated height of the guardrail system
shall be increased accordingly.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
(b) (b ) Where the vertical distance between adjacent
E 631 Terminology of Building Constructions
finishedfloorlevelsisaminimumof1.83m(72in.),theheight
E 894 Test Method for Anchorage of Permanent Metal
shall be a minimum of 0.86 m (34 in.). When variations in the
Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
evenness of the finished floor will result in individual height
E 935 Test Methods for Performance of Permanent Metal
measurements of the installed guardrail system to be less than
0.84 m (33 in.), the fabricated height of the guardrail system
shall be increased accordingly.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-6 on
4.1.1.3 Inpublicassembly,elementaryschool,andmultiple-
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.56
family occupanies where the vertical distance between stair
on Performance of Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings.
and adjacent levels is more than 4.1 m (20 ft.), the required
Current edition approved March 10, 2000. Published May 2000. Originally
railing height shall be increased beyond that given in 4.1.1.1.
published as E 985 – 84. Last previous edition E 985 – 96.
Supporting data are available from ASTM Headquarters. Request RR:E06-
4.1.1.4 For balconies in public-assembly occupancies, the
1000.
required railing height in front of the first row of fixed seats
The boldfaced numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end
shall be reduced to 0.66 m (26 in.) provided adequate safety is
of this specification.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E985–00
established by the designer and approved by the authority shallbeextendedhorizontallyforadistanceofatleast305mm
having jurisdiction; however, it shall be a minimum of 0.91 m (12 in.) beyond the intersection of the finish line (plane of
(36 in.) at aisle ends and a minimum of 1.07 m (42 in.) where thread nose lines) of the stair or ramp and the landings, unless
aisle steps occur. interference limits such an extension.
4.1.2 Handrails and Stair-Rail Systems: 4.3.3 The clearance between the handrail and the mounting
4.1.2.1 In corridors, ramps, walkways, and enclosed stair- surface or any protrusions from this surface shall be 38 mm
1 1
(1 ⁄2 in.). The handrail shall project no more than 89 mm (3 ⁄2
ways having a slope of at least 1 in 20, the height of the
handrail of the stair-rail systems, measured from its top surface in.) into the required minimum egress width. The vertical
clearance in a recess shall be in accordance with the provision
to the finished floor level or tread-nose line, shall be not less
than 0.86 m (34 in.) nor more than 0.97 m (38 in.). When a in 4.4.5.
stair-rail system is higher than 0.97 m (38 in.), a separate 4.3.4 The hand-grip portion of the handrail shall be not less
handrail shall be installed at a height of not less than 0.86 m
than 32 mm (1 ⁄4 in.) nor more than 51 mm (2 in.) in outside
(34 in.) nor more than 0.97 m (38 in.). diameter.
4.1.2.2 Where required and in childcare and educational
4.4 Transfer Rail Design:
facilities serving children under the age of 12 years, a second
4.4.1 Transfer rails shall be designed to permit continuous
separate handrail shall be permitted to be installed at a
sliding of the arm and hand supporting the body weight during
mounting height of 24 to 28 in. (610 to 710 mm). The vertical
transfer. The hardware chosen for attaching the transfer rails
clearance between the handrails shall be at least 9 in. (230
shallbesuchthatprojectinglugs,devices,orotherconstruction
mm).
elements shall not interrupt the continuous sliding of arm or
4.1.3 Transfer Rail Systems—Where transfer rail systems
hand or catch loose clothing. The transfer rails, including their
are to be installed, such as in toilets and bathrooms, the
fasteners, shall have no sharp edges or dangerous protrusions.
required height, measured from its top surface to the finished
The transfer rail top surface shall not be abrasive.
floor level, shall not be less than 0.76 m (30 in.) nor more than
4.4.2 Transfer rails shall be returned to supporting walls or
0.86 m (34 in.).
otherwise arranged to avoid projecting rail ends.
4.2 Railing System Penetration:
4.4.3 The clearance between the face of the transfer rail and
4.2.1 The various members of the railing system shall be
that of the mounting surface or any protrusions from this
arranged such that a sphere, 140 mm (5 ⁄2 in.) in diameter, 1
surface shall be 38 mm (1 ⁄2 in.).
cannot be passed through any opening in the system except as
4.4.4 The hand-grip portion of the transfer rail shall have a
noted in 4.2.2. The members shall be arranged to discourage
perimeter of not less than 102 mm (4 in.) nor more than 165
climbing.
mm (6 ⁄2 in.), and a maximum to minimum cross-sectional
4.2.2 In areas protected by a railing system where children
dimension ratio of not more than two.
five years of age or less will be present or have access and
4.4.5 Transfer rails shall not be located in a wall recess
require protection from passing through the railing system, the
unless this recess is not more than 76 mm (3 in.) deep and
various members of the railing system, such as balusters,
extends at least 457 mm (18 in.) above the top of the transfer
screens, wire mesh, or scrolls, shall be arranged in such a way
rail, with the extension parallel with the wall surface or sloping
that a sphere, 102 mm (4 in.) in diameter cannot be passed
fromthedepthoftherecesstothewallsurfaceabovetherecess
through any opening in the system up to a height of 0.66 m (26
in such a way that grasping of the transfer rail and transfer of
in.) above the top surface of the adjacent finished floor.
the body weight are not impeded.
4.2.3 In industrial, commercial, and other nonresidential
4.5 Special Consideration Concerning Performance of
occupancies, where only adults normally will be present or
Structural System—In the event of lateral loading resulting
have access, and in areas where access by the users is
fromwindandseismicforces,thedesignerofthebuildingshall
infrequent, the diameter of the sphere may be increased to 533
evaluate the railing system for not adversely affecting the
mm(21in.)unlessotherconditionswarrantasmallerdiameter.
functioning of the structural system of the building.
4.2.4 Toe boards shall be provided in areas where tools and
4.6 Permissible Dimensional Tolerances, except where in-
other objects could be dislodged and fall on occupants below.
dicated otherwise:
The top of the toe board shall not be less than 102 mm (4 in.)
4.6.1 Fabrication tolerances of components shall be
andthebottomnotmorethan13mm( ⁄2in.)abovetheaverage
1 1
within6 1 ⁄2 mm ( ⁄16 in.).
finished level at the line of the vertical supports of the railing
4.6.2 Alignment tolerances of installed products shall be
system.
within 66mm( ⁄4 in.) within a length of 6.1 m (20 ft).
4.3 Handrail Design:
4.3.1 Handrails shall be designed to permit continuous
5. Significance and Use
sliding of hands. The hardware chosen for attaching handrails
5.1 Metal railing systems and rails for buildings usually are
to balusters or walls shall be such that projecting lugs, devices,
or other construction elements shall have no sharp edges or designed, manufactured, and installed to withstand forces
potentially exerted by the building users.
dangerous protrusions.
4.3.2 Handrail ends shall be returned to supporting walls or 5.2 The metal railing systems and rails shall not be consid-
otherwisearrangedtoavoidprojectingrailends.Wallhandrails ered a part of the structural system of the building unless this
at stairs and ramps and other handrails that are not continuous is expressly provided for in the design.
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E985–00
6. Design Considerations width or depth, or both, of this protected area exceeding 1.22
m (4 ft), the minimum concentrated and uniformly distributed
6.1 Purpose and Limitations:
test loads in the horizontal direction shall be 1620 N (365 lbf)
6.1.1 The principal purpose of metal railing systems and
and 880 N/m (60 lbf/ft), respectively.
rails is to provide protection for building users against acci-
7.1.6 The minimum concentrated test loads to be applied in
dental falls within and beyond, and to prevent passage beyond,
the horizontal and vertical downward directions non-
the accessible area defined by the system. Railing systems and
concurrently to a transfer rail at any point shall be 1110 N (250
rails are usually not provided at the landing side of loading
lbf).
docks and where the vertical distance between adjacent levels
7.1.7 The minimum horizontal test load to be applied to the
is 0.60 m (24 in.) or less, or where there are less than three
infillareaofabalusterorpanelrailingsystem(seeTestMethod
risers in a stair-flight run.
C of Test Methods E 935) shall be 220 N (50 lbf), distributed
6.1.2 The principal purpose of rails is to provide a means of
2 2
over any round or square area of 0.1 m (1 ft ) located
assisting in the support of the building users, such as when
anywhere within the infill area.
ascending and descending stairs and when transferring the
7.1.8 The minimum horizontal test load to be applied by a
body weight of physically handicapped persons. In different
penetration cone to the infill area of a baluster or panel railing
environments and for different applications, these building
system (see Test Method D of Test Methods E 935) shall be
elements serve different purposes; therefore, the design and
220 N (50 lbf).
performance requirements vary. Applicable building specifica-
7.1.9 The concentrated test load shall be applied with a
tions, codes, standards, and other regulatory documents shall
loading bar of appropriate shape and a length of 150 mm (6
be consulted.
in.), to the top of the rail nonconcurrently at the line of vertical
6.2 Special Consideration of Adverse Exposure
support at the rail-end post and at the rail midspan between the
Conditions—Provisions shall be made to protect railing sys-
three posts (see Fig. 1). If an end post is not included in the rail
tems and rails as well as their anchorages against deterioration
systemtobeevaluated,theloadshallbeappliedatthemidspan
resulting from adverse environmental conditions.
of the rail system. The system shall be preloaded with a load
7. Minimum Criteria for Static Loads and Deflections
During Testing in Accordance with Test Methods
E 894 and E 935
7.1 Load Criteria:
7.1.1 The installed railing system shall withstand a mini-
mum concentrated test load of 890 N (200 lbf) and a minimum
uniformlydistributedtestloadof730N/m(50lbf/ft)appliedto
the top of the railing system where appropriate (see 7.1.9), in
both horizontal and vertical downward directions. The hori-
zontal and vertical loadings as well as the concentrated and
uniformly distributed test loads shall not be applied concur-
rently. The exceptions to these test loads are indicated in
7.1.2-7.1.5. The test loads are applicable for railing systems
with supports not more than 2.44 m (8 ft) apart. When subject
to impact or panic loading, the designer shall evaluate the
system for increased test-load requirements.
7.1.2 Where the railing system is installed in one- or
two-family dwelling units, these minimum concentrated and
uniformly distributed test loads shall be 890 N (200 lbf) and
290 N/m (20 lbf/ft), respectively.
7.1.3 Where the railing system is installed in public assem-
bly buildings with rooms and spaces designed for use by 50 or
morepersonssimultaneously,theseminimumconcentratedand
uniformly distributed test loads shall be 1330 N (300 lbf) a
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