To save you some time, we’ve included an extract from the National Construction Code 2014 for Australia so you can see at a glance what is required to keep people safe in public areas. Conectabal commercial balustrades are also compliant with the New Zealand Building Code.
Excerpt from National Construction Code (NCC) 2014 D2.16 Balustrades or other barriers
(a) A continuous balustrade or other barrier, except for a barrier provided to an openable window covered by D2.24, must be provided along the side of any roof to which public access is provided, any stairway or ramp, any floor, corridor, hallway, balcony, deck, veranda, mezzanine, access bridge or the like and along the side of any delineated path of access to a building, if—
ii it is not bounded by a wall; and
iii its level above the surface beneath, is more than 1 m.
(h) Openings in a balustrade or other barrier must be constructed in accordance with the following:
(ii) For a balustrade or other barrier other than those provided under (c)—
(A) any opening does not permit a 125 mm sphere to pass through it and for stairs, the opening is measured above the nosing line of the stair treads; and
(B) for floors more than 4 m above the surface beneath, any horizontal or near horizontal elements between 150 mm and 760 mm above the floor must not facilitate climbing
3.6 BARRIERS
Barriers, including parapets, balustrades and railings, together with members and connections that provide structural support, shall be designed to sustain the imposed actions given in Table 3.3. The top edge or handrail shall also be designed for the case where a concentrated load of 0.6 kN, positioned for the worst effect, acts inward, outward or downward.
The uniformly distributed line load and the uniformly distributed and concentrated loads applicable to the infill are not additive. They shall be considered as three separate load cases.
For New Zealand, refer to the New Zealand Building Code Clause F4 – Safety from falling.
Retaining walls and car parks
DDA access ramps and stairs
Accommodation units
Sports and recreation centres
Public transport and sightseeing
Fire and access stairs
Footbridges and culverts
Loading bays
Mezzanines
