Safety Rail - About the system - the benefits - the fittings - applications - building regulations

The Safety Rail modular handrail system is ideal to deal with a variety of applications. Constructed from exceptionally strong fibreglass material, the system is a breakthrough for handrail systems.

• 45 Diameter Tube
• No Snag Points
• Not Cold to the Touch
• Slip Resistant Surface
• Contrasting Colour

Safety Features
Safety Rail comes in a 'safety yellow colour' with electrical low conductivity for worker safety and exhibits high strength. The system meets the current Building Regulations for handrail safety.

Low Maintenance
The product offer 'through colour' and will generally outlast steel coated and aluminium systems and requires virtually no maintenance.

Cost Effective
Fibreglass components and an easy to assemble design provide savings on labour and maintenance, resulting in long-term savings and eliminating the cost and inconvenience of 'downtime for repairs' in plant operations.

About the system

The FibreRail system is constructed using two specific methods. The construction of the tube is produced using a process called pultrusion. Pultrusion is a continuous moulding process using fibre reinforcements with thermosetting resin matrices.
Pre-selected reinforcement materials, such as fibreglass roving, mat,woven fabrics or stitched fabric, are drawn through a resin bath in which all material is thoroughly impregnated with a liquid thermosetting resin.

Typical resins included polyester, vinyl esters and phenolics. The wet-out fibre is formed to the desired geometric shape and pulled into a heated steel die. Once inside the die, the resin cure is initiated by controlling precise elevated temperatures. The laminated solidifies in the exact cavity shape of the die, as it is continuously pulled by the pultrusion machine.

The fittings are constructed using a process called BMC (Bulk mould compound) this process produces and exceptionally strong product.

The benefits

• Extremely strong fibreglass construction
• Permanent or temporary installations
• Modular internal connection system
• Quick and easy installation
• Chemical resistant
• Non corrosive
• Lightweight
• Meets Current Building Regulation Requirements

The fittings

The Safety Rail system has been developed to meet certain Building Regulation requirements as well as offering a unique, extremely strong handrail system. All connections fit flush, resulting in a pleasing, streamlined appearance. The internal connections allow the construction of continuous handrail systems without special fittings.

90 degree Tee fitting	90 degree Cross fitting	3 Way 90 degree Elbow fitting	4 Way 90 degree Elbow fitting
63.4 degree Tee fitting	63.4 degree Cross fitting	90 degree Elbow	Adjustable coupling Male fitting
Adjustable coupling Female fitting	Base flange foot	90 degree handrail end bend	Wall flange
Handrail tube

Applications

The Building Regulations

The Building Regulations approved documents Part 'M' states the following:

Handrails to external stepped and ramped access

Design considerations

1.34 People who have physical difficulty in negotiating changes of level need the help of a handrail that can be gripped easily, is comfortable to touch and, preferably, provides good forearm support.

1.35 Handrails should be spaced away from the wall and rigidly supported in a way that avoids impeding finger grip.

1.36 Handrails should be set at heights that are convenient for all users of the building and should extend safely beyond the top and bottom of a flight of steps, or a ramp, to give both stability and warning of the presence of a change in level. Consideration should be given to the provision of a second handrail on stairs in a wide range of building types, and particularly in schools, for use by children and people of short stature.

Provisions

1.37 Handrailing to external ramped and stepped access will satisfy Requirement M1 or M2 if:

a. the vertical height to the top of the upper handrail from the pitch line of the surface of a ramp, or a flight of steps, is between 900mm and 1000mm, and from the surface of a landing is between 900 and 1100mm.

b. where there is full height structural guarding, the vertical height to the top of a second lower handrail from the pitch line of the surface of a ramp, or a flight of steps, is 600mm, where provided;

c. it is continuous across the flights and landings of ramped or stepped access;

d. it extends at least 300mm horizontally beyond the top and bottom of a ramped access, or the top and bottom nosing of a flight or flights of steps, while not projecting into an access route;

e. it contrasts visually with the background against which it is seen, without being highly reflective;

f. its surface is slip resistant and not cold to the touch;

g. it terminates in a way that reduces the risk of clothing being caught;

h. its profile is either circular with a diameter of between 40 and 45mm, or oval preferably with a width of 50mm

i. it protrudes no more than 100mm into the surface width of the ramped or stepped access where this would impinge on the stair width requirement of Part B1;

j. there is a clearance of between 60 and 75mm between the handrail and any adjacent wall surface;

k. there is a clearance of at least 50mm between a cranked support and the underside of the handrail;

l. its inner face is located no more than 50mm beyond the surface width of the ramped or stepped access.