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SANS codes

30 Apr

SANS codes

SANS 10104: Handrailing and balustrading
SANS 10400: Architects code to design buildings
SANS 10160: Engineers code to design structural elements of building
SANS 10137: Installation of glazing in buildings

CODES AND EDITIONS

SABS 10104 Edition 2 1991 – Handrailing and balustrading (safety aspects)
SANS 10400-A: 2011 Edition 3 – NBR – General principle and requirements
SANS 10400-B: 2012 Edition 3 – NBR – Structural design
SANS 10400-D: 2011 Edition 3 – NBR – Public safety
SANS 10400-M: 2011 Edition 3 – NBR – Stairways
SANS 10400-N: 2010 Edition 3 – NBR – Glazing
SANS 10400-S: 2011 Edition 3 – NBR – Facilities for persons with disabilities
SANS 10400-T: 2011 Edition 3 – NBR – Fire protection
SANS 10160-2: 2011 Edition 1.1 – Self-weight and imposed loads
SANS 10160-3: 2011 Edition 1.1 – Wind actions
SANS 10137: 2011 Edition 4 – The installation of glazing in buildings
SANS 1263-1:2006 Edition 3.1 – Part 1: Safety performance of glazing materials under human impact

SANS 10400-A

A competent person (3.7) must prepare a rational design for any building solution used within a building (4). Balustrades and handrails are important structural components, critical to the safety of a building's users. Because of their aesthetic value, this is mostly overlooked and the building industry, as well as the building inspectors, does not demand the proper design and sign-off required by law.

Next Level has gone through the arduous and costly process of ensuring all our balustrade designs fully comply with SANS 10400(architectural), 10160 (structural design), SANS 10137 (glass) and 10104 (handrailing and balustrade). 

Unfortunately, not all balustrade companies have done the same and for the sake of public safety we would like to bring the following to architects', builders', inspectors', engineers' and property owners' attention.

SANS 10104

Handrailing and balustrading shall be designed and installed that safely supports all loads to which it is likely to be subject to during service (4.1)

Balustrading in a harsh environment shall be designed to resist corrosion (7.1). Balustrades should be inspected for evidence of wear and tear, or reduced strength, and replaced or renewed if 20% weaker than original installation. (4.7.2)

  • The height of the balustrade shall not be less than 1m (5.1)
  • In public places, there shall be no gap bigger than 100mm (5.2.1)
  • The finish of the handrail should be smooth (5.4)
  • It should be visible from at least 7.5m away (5.5)
  • Glass should be compliant with SANS 0137 (5.7)

Handrailing shall be so installed that the vertical sag of any of its elements does not exceed 50mm. When a load of 1,5 A is applied at any point and in any direction on any element of the handrailing for a period of 1 h, the total deflection of that point (including sag) while under load shall not exceed 100mm.(4.6)

SANS 10160

  • A structure or element must remain fit for its intended purpose throughout its working life (0.2)
  • A structure or element must be able to withstand abnormal events (0.3)
  • Testing of a design may be done if calculations are not available or if there are doubts about compliance during construction (9.1)
  • There are design forces that a balustrade has to be designed for (9.4)
  • Balustrades also need to undergo human impact testing to ensure their compliance (9.7)

SANS 10400 also has further requirements regarding balustrading:

  • Any bridge, balcony or flat roof that is accessible, needs balustrading of at least 1m high. (D 4.2.2)
  • Any mezzanine floor or interior balcony requires balustrading of at least 1m high, although the balustrade may be shorter [min 800mm] if in front of public seating in rows. (D 4.2.3)
  • A change of level in occupancy classes E2, E3, E4, H1, H2, H3, H4 or H5 (see attached list), requires protection in the form of a wall or balustrade with no opening that will allow the passage of a 100mm ball. Such balustrade in any other occupancy class, shall consist of at least one handrail and one other rail midway between the handrail and the floor. (D 4.2.4)
  • Pools must be closed off from public access with fences and gates. Balustrades may be used, but must be no lower than 1.2m, and a 100mm ball should not be able to pass through any opening. (10400-D 4.4)

Stairways and handrailing:

  • Any flight of stairs that contains more than five risers, needs one continuous handrail unless it falls in occupancy class of H3 or H4. (M 4.3.2)
  • A handrail is required if the width of the staircase is less than 1.1m, and a handrail is required on both sides if the staircase is wider than 1.1m. (M 4.3.3)
  • There must be no obstruction to hand movement on the handrailing, and handrailing must be between 850mm and 1m above the pitch line of the staircase. (M 4.3.3)
  • Disability access and B.H. (10400-S 4.7-4.10):
  • In order for a building to be deemed accessible to the disabled, the B.H. must comply with the following:

    • A change of level of more than 600mm requires a handrail. (4.7.3)
    • Ramps for wheelchair access need handrailing on both sides. If the width is greater than 2.4m, a central handrailing must be installed. (4.8.2)
    • The gripping surfaces of handrails need to be of a certain profile. (4.10.a,b)
    • If a gripping surface is elliptical, it needs to be at least 50mm wide and 40mm deep, and if the profile is circular, the diameter must be no less than 35mm and not more than 50mm. (4.10.a,b)
    • The height to the top of the handrail from nosing or ramp surface, must be between 900mm and 1 000mm and must remain consistent throughout the length of the handrail. (4.10.a,b)
    • Handrails must be securely fixed and rigid. (4.10.c)
    • The handrails or any adjacent surfaces must be free of sharp or abrasive elements. (4.10.d)
    • The width between the handrail and wall must be at least 60mm. (4.10.e)
    • Handrails must extend at least 300mm horizontally beyond the top and bottom of a stairway or ramp. (4.10.f)
    • Handrails must be continuous between landings, as long as this does not create a hazard. (4.10.g)
    • Handrails must be supported centrally from below, with no less than 50mm between the underside of the handrail and the top of the support. (4.10.h)
    • Stairways wider than 2.4m require a handrail every 2.4m. (4.10.i)
    • Passenger lifts require handrails on all sides, with a height of between 850mm and 1 000mm above the floor level of lift. (4.11.2.c)
    • Wheelchair-accessible toilet doors need grab rails on the inside of the door. (4.12.2.a)
    • Wheelchair-accessible toilets need grab rails on one side and the rear. (4.12.2.m)
    • The grab rails must have a diameter of between 32mm and 38mm. (4.12.2.m)
    • Handrails may not protrude into an emergency staircase by more than 100mm.

According to SANS 10137:

Balustrades using glazing have more design specifications due to their nature. The glazing must comply with the following:

  • Glass in balustrades shall be toughened safety glass, unless rigidly supported on all sides.
  • Specialised plastic glazing may be used in balustrades, e.g. polycarbonate.
  • Glazing must be SANS 1263-compliant.
  • Safety marks (SANS 10137 and SANS 1263) must be visible on every pane after installation.
  • Glazing and fixings should be suitable for the environment (must resist brine, moisture, heat or other environmental factors).

Most of these requirements are easy to check with just a tape measure, but the impact testing and proper design loads can only be determined by an engineer, and that is why an Engineer Compliance Certificate is required.


30Apr
Next Level Balustrading has compiled a short guide for building industry professionals, with details on where balustrading is required and how it should be designed.
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