ASTM E1481-00a(2008)
(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 E 631.
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.
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Designation: E1481 − 00a (Reapproved2008)
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.
1. Scope between top rail or handrail and bottom rail or tread or floor
beneath balustrade. (Synonym for picket.)
1.1 This terminology consists of terms and definitions
pertaining to railing systems and rails for buildings, and in
baluster casting—an ornamental cast element attached to a
particular, terms related to the standards generated by ASTM
baluster.Also, cast element designed to attach baluster to top
Committee E06 on Performance of Building Constructions.
and bottom rails.
1.2 The purpose of this terminology is to provide meanings
baluster railing system—a system consisting of posts,
and explanations of technical terms, written for both the
balusters, top rail, and bottom rail.
technical expert and the non-expert user.
balustrade, n—a railing system consisting of a row of balus-
1.3 This terminology is one of a group of special terminolo-
ters capped by a rail or handrail.
gies subsidiary to the comprehensive Terminology E631.
bottom rail—the lowest member of a railing system, support-
1.4 Terms are listed in alphabetical sequence. Compound
ing balusters or panels, if any.
terms appear in the natural spoken order. Where definitions
herein are adopted from other sources, they are exact copies.
building, n—a structure comprising a partially or totally
The source is identified at the right margin following the
enclosed space, erected by means of a planned process of
definition and is listed in Section 2.
forming and combining materials. E631
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:
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
cap rail—a secondary railing element, often a handrail,
E935 Test Methods for Performance of Permanent Metal
fastened to the top rail of a railing system. (Synonym for rail
Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
cap.)
E985 Specification for Permanent Metal Railing Systems
collar, n—Synonym for escutcheon. E631
and Rails for Buildings
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.
3. Terminology
drop cap—the cover of a railing post or newel that is exposed
3.1 Definitions:
to view, usually below the stair stringer or floor. E631
baluster, baluster bar, n—one of a series of closely spaced,
easement, n—the curved portion of a rail and handrail forming
upright, and parallel infill members of a balustrade, located
a transition in the vertical plane between the horizontal and
inclined sections of a handrail.
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
escutcheon, n—a protective or ornamental cover located at the
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.56
on Performance of Railing Systems and Glass for Floors and Stairs.
termination of a post, baluster, or rail against a tread, floor,
Current edition approved March 1, 2008. Published April 2008. Originally
or wall. (Synonym for collar, cover flange, cover plate, or
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as E1481 – 00a. DOI:
cover ring.)
10.1520/E1481-00AR08.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
expanded metal—See screen.
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
finial, n—an ornamental piece on the top of a post, newel, or
the ASTM website.
railing; frequently in the form of an urn or pineapple, and so
Available fromAmerican Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), 1800 E. Oakton
St., Des Plaines, IL 60018, http://www.asse.org. named. E631
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1481 − 00a (2008)
flange, n—a flat plate or formed piece at the end of a railing or miter ending—an angular or dovetailed member end, de-
rail element for attachment to the adjoining construction or signed to fit an adjacent matching member, thereby provid-
supporting member. ing continuity of profile at the connection.
grab bar—Synonym for grab rail. E631
newel, n—a decorative or structural post member at the start or
end of a stair run, often extending above a handrail; usually
grab rail—a short length of rail located for safety or conve-
square or rectangular in cross section, supporting the end of
nience to assist a person in movement at a specific location.
a stair railing or serving as the common support for two stair
(Synonym for grab bar.) E631
railings, often supporting a stair stringer and platform; also,
the center post of a spiral stair.
guardrail system—a railing system, providing protection for
building users against accidental fall and injury, located at or
ogee, n—a molding with a profile having a double curve
near the outer edge of a stair, ramp, landing, platform, deck,
formed by a convex line turning into a concave line,
balcony, hatchway, manhole, floor opening, porch, or acces-
resulting in an S-shape. E631
sible roof; at the perimeter of an opening or accessible
surface, such as the opening of a stair; or at a location at
panel, n—a flat infill element between a top rail, bottom rail,
which an operating condition requires access limitation to a
and posts. E631
designated area. (Compare railing system.)
picket, n—Synonym for baluster, baluster bar.
handgrip, n—the part of a handrail designed to provide a
pineapple, n—a finial in the form of a pineapple. E631
secure grasp. E631
pipe, n—hollow round section of metal or other material, the
handrail, n—a horizontal, sloping, or vertical member nor-
size of which is usually designated by nominal size, in
mally grasped by hand for guidance or support.
inches (millimeters), as influenced by inside diameter and
DISCUSSION—This member may be part of a railing system and is
wall thickness.
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
pipe railing system—a railing system fabricated of pipe or
is a member paralleling pitch of stair flight and is often, but not
round tubing.
necessarily, a top member. (Compare wall handrail.)
post, n—a vertical supporting member. E631
handrail bracket—a device attached to a wall, post, or other
surface to support the handrail. E631
queue-rail system—Synonym for traffic-rail system.
handrail height—the vertical distance from the top surface of
rail, n—a horizontal, inclin
...
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.
An American National Standard Designation: E 1481 – 00a (Reapproved 2008)
Designation:E1481–00
Standard Terminology of
Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1481; 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.
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 E-6E06 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 E 631.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E 631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E 935 Test Methods for Performance of Permanent Metal Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
E 985 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 Terms and Their Definitions: baluster, baluster bar,
baluster, baluster bar, n—Synonym for picket. —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. E 631
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. (Syn.(Synonym for rail cap.)
collar, n— Synonym for escutcheon. E 631
cover flange— Synonym for escutcheon. E 631
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. E 631
This terminology is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E-6 on Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.56 on Performance
of Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings.
Current edition approved March 10, 2000. Published May 2000. Originally published as E1481–92a. Last previous edition E1481–93a (1998).
ThisterminologyisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE06onPerformanceofBuildingsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeE06.56onPerformance
of Railing Systems and Glass for Floors and Stairs.
Current edition approved March 1, 2008. Published April 2008. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as E 1481 – 00a.
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 04.11.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Available from American Society of Safety Engineers, 1800 East Oakton Street, Des Plaines, IL 60018-2187.
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.
E1481–00a (2008)
easement, n—thecurvedportionofarailandhandrailformingatransitionintheverticalplanebetweenthehorizontalandinclined
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.
(Syn.(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.
E 631
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. E 631
grab rail—a short length of rail located for safety or convenience to assist a person in movement at a specific location.
(Syn.(Synonym for grab bar.) E 631
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. E 631
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. E 631
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. E 631
infill, n—aseriesofbalustersofabalusterrailingsystemandthestructuralaswellasthedecorativeelements,includingthepanels,
mesh,orsimilarelements,ofapanelrailingsystem;locatedbetweentopandbottomrailsandposts;toservethetwofoldpurpose
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. E 935
intermediate rail—one of two or more rails between the top ra
...
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