Safety Codes To Follow When Installing Mesh Cable Railings
Although mesh railings add a significant level of beauty to a balcony or stair railing, there are required codes to follow before installation. These safety codes to follow when installing mesh cable railings keep others safe and help buildings meet strict structure standards in their town or city. Here are four codes you should know.
Tension Code
The highest caliber code for installing a handrail system is tension. Without tension, a builder risks wobbly handles and bases. With the right load bearing, you can screw everything together tightly to hold the mesh cable in place, ensuring no one hurts themselves if they run into the stairs.
The strength level of this tension varies depending on the material type. For instance, mesh railing systems made from aluminum stretch better than stainless steel. That is because stainless steel, while it can be molded into any desired shape, requires more weaves to bend, whereas aluminum only needs 19 weaves to create a sound structure.
Rail Height Requirement
A rail and guardrail are two different mechanisms of the entire railing system. Compared to a residential property’s railing height requirement, rails used on a commercial building or on a building’s exterior have more rules. Guardrails are the rails that sit atop a high floor level, such as a balcony or loft.
For the most part, you should expect your handrails to be no more than 38 inches high. They must be easy to grasp when ascending or descending the stairs. Guardrails should be at least 30 inches for balconies, decks, and stairs with at least four risers.
Railing Space Constraint
During the installation process, space your posts roughly four feet apart from each other, including the corner and end posts. If the posts are installed correctly, they will deflect more tension. Deflection occurs when the spacing requirement is put into place correctly, creating better strength and integrity for the mounted mesh railing system.
Sphere Prerequisite
Every rail system must follow the rule that posts can’t go into the rails if there’s not enough space between balustrades. For a railing to exist, there needs to be a 4-inch space added to the cables for tension, and stairs need to be 6 inches with steps and treads.
This rule exists because if the cables don’t have the right amount of pull, they won’t be stable enough to use. Review these safety codes to follow before installing mesh cable railings.
You’ll want CMPI on the job if you desire quality above all else. These codes help you discover what guidelines you must meet when installing railings. Custom Manufacturing and Polishing Inc takes these codes seriously and looks over your town’s requirements before building. Bring us your ideas, and we’ll work with you to make them a reality.
