Loads on Guards and Handrails
(1) The minimum specified horizontal load applied outward at the minimum required height of every required guard shall be,
(a) 3.0 kN/m for open viewing stands without fixed seats and for means of egress in grandstands, stadia, bleachers and arenas,
(b) a concentrated load of 1.0 kN applied at any point so as to produce the most critical effect, for access ways to equipment platforms, contiguous stairs and similar areas where the gathering of many people is improbable, and
(c) 0.75 kN/m or a concentrated load of 1.0 kN applied at any point so as to produce the most critical effect, whichever governs for locations other than those described in Clauses (a) and (b).
(2) The minimum specified horizontal load applied inward at the minimum required height of every required guard shall be half that specified in Sentence (1).
(3) Individual elements within the guard, including solid panels and pickets, shall be designed for a load of 0.5 kN applied outward over an area of 100 mm by 100 mm located at any point in the element or elements so as to produce the most critical effect.
(4) The size of the opening between any two adjacent vertical elements within a guard shall not exceed the limits required by Part 3 when each of these elements is subjected to a specified live load of 0.1 kN applied in opposite directions in the in-plane direction of the guard so as to produce the most critical effect.
(5) The loads required in Sentence (3) need not be considered to act simultaneously with the loads provided for in Sentences (1), (2) and (6).
(6) The minimum specified load applied vertically at the top of every required guard shall be 1.5 kN/m and need not be considered to act simultaneously with the horizontal load provided for in Sentence (1).
(7) Handrails and their supports shall be designed and constructed to withstand the following loads, which need not be considered to act simultaneously:
(a) a concentrated load not less than 0.9 kN applied at any point and in any direction for all handrails, and (b) a uniform load not less than 0.7 kN/m applied in any direction to handrails not located within dwelling units
Article 4.1.5.14 Ontario Regulation 332/12 Building Code, Information published by oncodes.ca for educational purposes only.
