New 1800mm Balustrade Requirements Now in Effect — Here’s What You Need to Know
Significant updates to the Queensland Department of Education’s (DoE) Design Standards are now in effect, bringing a new level of safety to school construction — and new compliance demands for designers, specifiers, and contractors alike.
As of October 2024, where barriers include an offset horizontal handrail or toeboard, the DoE mandates that balustrades must be a minimum of 1800mm high — an increase from the former 1100mm or 1500mm standards. The update of the Design Standards for Department of Education Facilities reflects a growing emphasis on fall prevention and anti-climb design, particularly around ramps, walkways, and stairs in school environments.
However, awareness of this change across the industry remains low, and many suppliers aren’t yet positioned to respond.
Moddex: Ready Now & Compliant From Day One
Moddex have anticipated this regulatory shift and acted early. We are currently the only manufacturer and supplier offering pre-engineered, 1800mm high compliant balustrade systems ready for inclusion in your projects.
With product configurations such as CB40, CB45, CB50 and CB55, our systems not only meet the new height requirements but come with detailed BIM files (currently being created), specification sheets, and full compliance documentation.
“Moddex is truly the only company with everything designed, engineered and ready for production to meet these updated Queensland standards,” says Business Development Manager, Ed Archer. “This gives our clients a real edge in terms of project speed, compliance certainty, and resource efficiency.”
More Than Compliance — A Simpler Way to Deliver
Moddex systems are designed to do more than just pass inspections. Our pre-engineered designs can be easily installed on site, eliminating the need for hot works permits and reducing installation time. That means construction crews can stay on schedule, and design teams can specify with confidence.
Our modular barrier systems are supported by an extensive BIM Library, and each product is engineered to comply not only with QLD DoE standards, but also the NCC and DDA — giving you full coverage, regardless of project stage.
Proven on Education Projects Just Like Yours
In Queensland alone, Moddex has supplied compliant systems for schools including Palmview State Primary School and Special School, Toowong State School, and Mansfield State School. These projects used a range of Assistrail disability handrails and Conectabal commercial balustrade configurations tailored to different site needs, including:
- Double offset handrails to comply with NCC Class 9B buildings used for primary schools (AR110)
- Standard balustrade configurations for level and stair applications (CB10, CB30, CB40 & CB50)
- Balustrades with single and double offset handrail and Kerbrail toeboards for ramp applications (CB45 & CB55)
Our track record extends further, with over 300 schools in Victoria already fitted with Moddex systems as part of the VSBA’s statewide education reform. And we’re continuing to deliver in New Zealand, where similar reforms are taking place.
What This Means for Architects, Builders and School Facilities Teams
If you’re designing, managing or delivering infrastructure for Queensland schools, these new requirements are non-negotiable. Retrofitting non-compliant barriers after project completion can lead to costly delays, reputational risk, and rework.
By choosing Moddex early in the design phase, you’re safeguarding your project from those risks and gaining a trusted partner with vast experience in education sector compliance.
“Our systems eliminate the delays associated with traditional fabrication, allowing projects to proceed on, or even ahead of schedule,” says Project Consultant Caudia Rowland.
Let’s Build Safer Schools Together
Moddex systems are engineered for safety, designed for speed, and compliant from the start. Whether you’re specifying a new build or upgrading an existing school, we’re here to help you meet these evolving standards with zero hassle.
Let’s make your next education project faster, safer, and fully compliant.