New Guide for Design of Glass Railings and Guards and Balustrades
1. Scope
1.1 This design guide specifies requirements to be followed in the design of permanent railing systems, guards and balustrades installed in and for assembly, commercial, educational, industrial, institutional, stadiums, recreational, and residential buildings and other structures such as towers or elevated platforms. 1.2 This practice addresses elements related to load-bearing glass railings, guards and balustrades only, other materials shall be reference in corresponding standards for the chosen material. This standard includes performance, design, and safe behavior considerations. It addresses the characteristics unique to glass and laminated glass. Issues that are common to all railings and guards, such as anchorage, are addressed in existing referenced standards. 1.3 Provides guidance on assessing guards to maintain ongoing minimum performance levels. Specifically, this design guide covers procedures for determining the static strength, impact performance, and post- breakage characteristics of railing systems, guards, and balustrades, including a component with glass installed in one, two, three and four-side support systems fastened to concrete, masonry, wood, metal, and related products. 1.4 This practice does not address glass railings, guards or balustrades constructed with monolithic glass, glass block, wired glass, insulating glass units, or glass tiles that are directly bonded to a non-glass structural substrate. 1.5 Applies to glass railings and guards without gates or other openings, which are used as barriers in ground level and elevated locations to prevent passage into areas restricted from pedestrian or to prevent falls from elevated levels. 1.6 Specifies minimum requirements for the design, construction, testing, and performance of glass building rails and guards. 1.7 Consideration is given in this guide to the durability criteria and test protocols for glazing design with the intent to minimize flying and falling glass of the railing, guard, or balustrade system as resulting from environmental or in-service conditions both pre- and post-breakage, but not their connections and fasteners The performance of special tests covering connections and fasteners may be desirable. 1.8 This specification considers that the 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. 1.9 This design guide does not apply to railings, guards oor balustrades designed as vehicular barriers or temporary guards. 1.10 This design guide is intended to be used in its entirety and in conjunction with ASTM E2353 and ASTM E2358. 1.11 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard. 1.12 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
