ASTM E1481-00a(2014)e1
(Terminology)Standard Terminology of Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
Standard Terminology of Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
SCOPE
1.1 This terminology consists of terms and definitions pertaining to railing systems and rails for buildings, and in particular, terms related to the standards generated by ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Building Constructions.
1.2 The purpose of this terminology is to provide meanings and explanations of technical terms, written for both the technical expert and the non-expert user.
1.3 This terminology is one of a group of special terminologies subsidiary to the comprehensive Terminology E631.
1.4 Terms are listed in alphabetical sequence. Compound terms appear in the natural spoken order. Where definitions herein are adopted from other sources, they are exact copies. The source is identified at the right margin following the definition and is listed in Section 2.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
General Information
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´1
Designation: E1481 − 00a (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Terminology of
Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1481; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
ε NOTE—Units statement was inserted in Section 1.5 and units information was corrected editorially in June 2014.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This terminology consists of terms and definitions 3.1 Definitions:
pertaining to railing systems and rails for buildings, and in baluster, baluster bar, n—one of a series of closely spaced,
particular, terms related to the standards generated by ASTM upright, and parallel infill members of a balustrade, located
Committee E06 on Performance of Building Constructions. between top rail or handrail and bottom rail or tread or floor
beneath balustrade. (Synonym for picket.)
1.2 The purpose of this terminology is to provide meanings
and explanations of technical terms, written for both the
baluster casting—an ornamental cast element attached to a
technical expert and the non-expert user.
baluster.Also, cast element designed to attach baluster to top
and bottom rails.
1.3 This terminology is one of a group of special terminolo-
gies subsidiary to the comprehensive Terminology E631.
baluster railing system—a system consisting of posts,
balusters, top rail, and bottom rail.
1.4 Terms are listed in alphabetical sequence. Compound
terms appear in the natural spoken order. Where definitions
balustrade, n—a railing system consisting of a row of balus-
herein are adopted from other sources, they are exact copies.
ters capped by a rail or handrail.
The source is identified at the right margin following the
bottom rail—the lowest member of a railing system, support-
definition and is listed in Section 2.
ing balusters or panels, if any.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
building, n—a structure comprising a partially or totally
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
enclosed space, erected by means of a planned process of
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
forming and combining materials. E631
and are not considered standard.
cap, n—a fitting or plug used to close the end of a pipe, tubular
2. Referenced Documents
post, newel, or rail.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
cap rail—a secondary railing element, often a handrail,
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
fastened to the top rail of a railing system. (Synonym for rail
E935 Test Methods for Performance of Permanent Metal
cap.)
Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
E985 Specification for Permanent Metal Railing Systems
collar, n—Synonym for escutcheon. E631
and Rails for Buildings
3 cover flange—Synonym for escutcheon. E631
2.2 ANSI/ASSE Standard:
A1264.1 Safety Requirements forWorkplace Floor andWall
cover plate—Synonym for escutcheon.
Openings, Stairs, and Railing Systems
cover ring—Synonym for escutcheon.
1 drop cap—the cover of a railing post or newel that is exposed
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.56 to view, usually below the stair stringer or floor. E631
on Performance of Railing Systems and Glass for Floors and Stairs.
easement, n—the curved portion of a rail and handrail forming
Current edition approved April 1, 2014. Published June 2014. Originally
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E1481 – 00a (2008).
a transition in the vertical plane between the horizontal and
DOI: 10.1520/E1481-00AR14E01.
inclined sections of a handrail.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
escutcheon, n—a protective or ornamental cover located at the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
termination of a post, baluster, or rail against a tread, floor,
the ASTM website.
3 or wall. (Synonym for collar, cover flange, cover plate,or
Available fromAmerican Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), 1800 E. Oakton
St., Des Plaines, IL 60018, http://www.asse.org. cover ring.)
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
´1
E1481 − 00a (2014)
expanded metal—See screen. mid rail, n—a rail located between top rail and bottom rail or
between top rail and floor if there is no bottom rail.
finial, n—an ornamental piece on the top of a post, newel, or
railing; frequently in the form of an urn or pineapple, and so
miter ending—an angular or dovetailed member end, de-
named. E631
signed to fit an adjacent matching member, thereby provid-
ing continuity of profile at the connection.
flange, n—a flat plate or formed piece at the end of a railing or
rail element for attachment to the adjoining construction or
newel, n—a decorative or structural post member at the start or
supporting member.
end of a stair run, often extending above a handrail; usually
square or rectangular in cross section, supporting the end of
grab bar—Synonym for grab rail. E631
a stair railing or serving as the common support for two stair
grab rail—a short length of rail located for safety or conve-
railings, often supporting a stair stringer and platform; also,
nience to assist a person in movement at a specific location.
the center post of a spiral stair.
(Synonym for grab bar.) E631
ogee, n—a molding with a profile having a double curve
guardrail system—a railing system, providing protection for
formed by a convex line turning into a concave line,
building users against accidental fall and injury, located at or
resulting in an S-shape. E631
near the outer edge of a stair, ramp, landing, platform, deck,
balcony, hatchway, manhole, floor opening, porch, or acces-
panel, n—a flat infill element between a top rail, bottom rail,
sible roof; at the perimeter of an opening or accessible
and posts. E631
surface, such as the opening of a stair; or at a location at
picket, n—Synonym for baluster, baluster bar.
which an operating condition requires access limitation to a
designated area. (Compare railing system.)
pineapple, n—a finial in the form of a pineapple. E631
handgrip, n—the part of a handrail designed to provide a
pipe, n—hollow round section of metal or other material, the
secure grasp. E631
size of which is usually designated by nominal size, in
handrail, n—a horizontal, sloping, or vertical member nor-
inches (millimetres), as influenced by inside diameter and
mally grasped by hand for guidance or support.
wall thickness.
DISCUSSION—This member may be part of a railing system and is
pipe railing system—a railing system fabricated of pipe or
often, but not necessarily, a top member (top rail), or may be mounted
on a wall or other building elem
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
´1
Designation: E1481 − 00a (Reapproved 2008) E1481 − 00a (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Terminology of
Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1481; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
ε NOTE—Units statement was inserted in Section 1.5 and units information was corrected editorially in June 2014.
1. Scope
1.1 This terminology consists of terms and definitions pertaining to railing systems and rails for buildings, and in particular,
terms related to the standards generated by ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Building Constructions.
1.2 The purpose of this terminology is to provide meanings and explanations of technical terms, written for both the technical
expert and the non-expert user.
1.3 This terminology is one of a group of special terminologies subsidiary to the comprehensive Terminology E631.
1.4 Terms are listed in alphabetical sequence. Compound terms appear in the natural spoken order. Where definitions herein are
adopted from other sources, they are exact copies. The source is identified at the right margin following the definition and is listed
in Section 2.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E935 Test Methods for Performance of Permanent Metal Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
E985 Specification for Permanent Metal Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
2.2 ANSI/ASSE Standard:
A1264.1 Safety Requirements for Workplace Floor and Wall Openings, Stairs, and Railing Systems
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
baluster, baluster bar, n—one of a series of closely spaced, upright, and parallel infill members of a balustrade, located between
top rail or handrail and bottom rail or tread or floor beneath balustrade. (Synonym for picket.)
baluster casting—an ornamental cast element attached to a baluster. Also, cast element designed to attach baluster to top and
bottom rails.
baluster railing system—a system consisting of posts, balusters, top rail, and bottom rail.
balustrade, n—a railing system consisting of a row of balusters capped by a rail or handrail.
bottom rail—the lowest member of a railing system, supporting balusters or panels, if any.
building, n—a structure comprising a partially or totally enclosed space, erected by means of a planned process of forming and
combining materials. E631
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.56 on Performance
of Railing Systems and Glass for Floors and Stairs.
Current edition approved March 1, 2008April 1, 2014. Published April 2008June 2014. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 20002008 as
E1481 – 00a.E1481 – 00a (2008). DOI: 10.1520/E1481-00AR08.10.1520/E1481-00AR14E01.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Available from American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), 1800 E. Oakton St., Des Plaines, IL 60018, http://www.asse.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
´1
E1481 − 00a (2014)
cap, n—a fitting or plug used to close the end of a pipe, tubular post, newel, or rail.
cap rail—a secondary railing element, often a handrail, fastened to the top rail of a railing system. (Synonym for rail cap.)
collar,n—Synonym for escutcheon. E631
cover flange—Synonym for escutcheon. E631
cover plate—Synonym for escutcheon.
cover ring—Synonym for escutcheon.
drop cap—the cover of a railing post or newel that is exposed to view, usually below the stair stringer or floor. E631
easement, n—the curved portion of a rail and handrail forming a transition in the vertical plane between the horizontal and inclined
sections of a handrail.
escutcheon, n—a protective or ornamental cover located at the termination of a post, baluster, or rail against a tread, floor, or wall.
(Synonym for collar, cover flange, cover plate, or cover ring.)
expanded metal—See screen.
finial, n—an ornamental piece on the top of a post, newel, or railing; frequently in the form of an urn or pineapple, and so named.
E631
flange, n—a flat plate or formed piece at the end of a railing or rail element for attachment to the adjoining construction or
supporting member.
grab bar—Synonym for grab rail. E631
grab rail—a short length of rail located for safety or convenience to assist a person in movement at a specific location. (Synonym
for grab bar.) E631
guardrail system—a railing system, providing protection for building users against accidental fall and injury, located at or near
the outer edge of a stair, ramp, landing, platform, deck, balcony, hatchway, manhole, floor opening, porch, or accessible roof;
at the perimeter of an opening or accessible surface, such as the opening of a stair; or at a location at which an operating
condition requires access limitation to a designated area. (Compare railing system.)
handgrip, n—the part of a handrail designed to provide a secure grasp. E631
handrail, n—a horizontal, sloping, or vertical member normally grasped by hand for guidance or support.
DISCUSSION—
This member may be part of a railing system and is often, but not necessarily, a top member (top rail), or may be mounted on a wall or other building
element. When part of a stair-rail system, it is a member paralleling pitch of stair flight and is often, but not necessarily, a top member. (Compare wall
handrail.)
handrail bracket—a device attached to a wall, post, or other surface to support the handrail. E631
handrail height—the vertical distance from the top surface of the top rail to the surface of the finished floor, top of a ramp, or
the nosing line of stair treads. E631
infill, n—a series of balusters of a baluster railing system and the structural as well as the decorative elements, including the panels,
mesh, or similar elements, of a panel railing system; located between top and bottom rails and posts; to serve the twofold purpose
of (a) protecting bodies from penetrating and falling through the baluster and panel infill areas and (b) providing a specified
resistance to horizontal thrusts as are potentially encountered within the infill area.
DISCUSSION—
Infills should be designed in such a way as to deter climbing of the railing system.
infill area—the field of baluster and panel railing systems, bordered by top and bottom rails and posts. E935
intermediate rail—one of two or more rails between the top rail and floor.
kick plate—Synonym for toe board. E631
lamb’s tongue—an ornamental curved or tapered fitting terminating a handrail, usually tapered to the tip.
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E1481 − 00a (201
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