SECTION 05 52 00
METAL RAILINGS
PART 1 – GENERAL
1.01 SUMMARY
A. Section Includes:
1. Delegated engineering design of metal railings.
2. Stair railings and guardrails as detailed on Drawings.
3. Wall-mounted handrails.
4. Free-standing railings at steps and level floors.
B. Related Sections: The work of the following Sections is related to the work of this
Section. Other Sections, not referenced below, may also be related to the proper
performance of this work.
1. Section 03 Concrete
2. Section 04 Masonry
3. Section 05 Metals
4. Section 09 Finishes
1.02 REFERENCES
A. This Section incorporates by reference the latest revisions of the following documents.
1. American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM)
a. ASTM A 53/A 53M - Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and
Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless.
b. ASTM A 123/A 123M - Standard Specification for Zinc (Hot-Dip
Galvanized) Coatings on Iron and Steel Products.
c. ASTM A 554: Specification for Welded Stainless Steel Mechanical
Tubing
d. ASTM A 167 – Standard Specification for Stainless and Heat-Resisting
Chromium-Nickel Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip; 2009.
e. ASTM A 264 - Specification for Stainless Chromium-Nickel Steel-Clad
Plate; 2009.
f. ASTM E 935 - Standard Test Methods for Performance of Permanent
Metal Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings.
g. ASTM E 985 - Standard Specification for Permanent Metal Railing
Systems and Rails for Buildings.
2. American Welding Society (AWS)
a. AWS D1.1/D1.1M, "Structural Welding Code - Steel."
b. AWS D1.6 “Structual Welding Code – Stainless Steel”
1.03 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
A. Structural Performance: Engineer, fabricate, and install metal fabrications to withstand
the following structural loads without exceeding the allowable design working stress of
the materials involved, including anchors and connections. Apply each load to produce
the maximum stress in each respective component of each metal fabrication.
1. Top of guardrail systems: Concentrated load at any point, of 300 lb-ft or uniform
load of 100 plf applied non-concurrently, vertically, downward, or horizontally.
Concentrated and uniform loads need not be assumed to act concurrently.
2. Handrails not serving as top rails: Concentrated load at any point, of 200 lb-ft or
uniform load of 50 plf applied non-concurrently, vertically, downward, or
horizontally. Concentrated and uniform loads need not be assumed to act
concurrently.
3. Infill area of guardrail systems: Capable of withstanding a horizontal
concentrated load of 200 lb applied to one sq. ft. at any point in the system
including panels, intermediate rails, balusters, or other elements composing the
infill area.
4. An additional load of 25 pounds per square foot (psf) acting horizontally over the
entire tributary area including openings shall be applied simultaneously with the
load on the top rail.
1.04 SUBMITTALS
A. Procedures: Section 01 33 00 Submittal Procedures.
B. Shop Drawings:
1. Indicate dimensions, materials, profiles, sizes, connection attachments,
anchorage, size and type of fasteners, and accessories.
2. Indicate welded connections with standard AWS welding symbols. Indicate net
weld lengths.
3. Include erection drawings, elevations, and details as necessary to completely
show each installation.
4. Indicate fabrication and installation of handrails and railings, including plans,
elevations, sections, details of components, and attachments to other units of
Work.
5. Include structural analysis data sealed and signed by the qualified professional
engineer who was responsible for their preparation.
C. Licenses and Certifications: Submit for:
1. Delegated design engineer license
2. Welders and welding procedures
D. Samples: Submit four each, 8 inch long samples of handrail. Submit four each samples
of elbow, wall bracket, and end stop.
1.05 QUALITY ASSURANCE
A. Delegated Design Engineer: Employ a registered structural engineer, licensed in the
State of Minnesota, to engineer structural components of the metal railings, including,
attachments and anchorages to the primary building structure. This engineer shall
prepare, stamp, and sign required structural calculations; this same engineer shall also
approve the fabricator's shop drawings.
B. See Section 05 xx xx Metals for requirements for welders, welding procedures, and
inspections.
C. Mock-Ups: Provide the following mock-ups for evaluation of fabrication, and
workmanship:
1. Locate mock-ups at locations approved or designated by Resident Engineer
2. Provide mock-ups for guard rail and associated products specified in this
Section.
3. Mock-ups are to demonstrate materials, connections, welding, fasteners,
coatings, and installation methods to be employed.
4. Mock-ups are to demonstrate installation methods.
5. Approved mock-ups may remain as part of the Work.
6. Mock-ups that are not approved shall be removed from site by the Contractor.
7. Resident Engineer shall be sole judge of acceptability of mock-ups.
D. List of Ornamental Metals Mock-Up Requirements:
1. GDR-3
1.06 PROJECT CONDITIONS
A. Field Measurements: Check actual locations of walls, slabs, framing, and other
construction to which work of this section must fit, by accurate field measurements before
fabrication; show recorded measurements on final shop drawings. Coordinate
fabrication, delivery and installation schedule with construction progress to avoid delay of
work.
1. Where field measurements cannot be made without delaying the Work,
guarantee dimensions and proceed with fabrication of products without field
measurements. Coordinate construction with work of other trades to ensure that
actual dimensions correspond to guaranteed dimensions. Allow for fitting and
trimming.
PART 2 – PRODUCTS
2.01 STEEL RAILING MATERIALS
A. Steel Tube: ASTM A 500, Grade B cold-formed structural tubing.
B. Steel Pipe: ASTM A 53/A 53M, Grade B Schedule 40, black finish.
C. Welding Fittings: Factory- or shop-welded from matching pipe or tube; seams
continuously welded; joints and seams ground smooth.
D. Exposed Fasteners: No exposed bolts or screws allowed.
E. Mounting: Adjustable Brackets and flanges, with steel inserts for casting in concrete.
F. Shop and Touch-Up Primer: SSPC-Paint 15, complying with VOC limitations of US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
2.02 STAINLESS STEEL HANDRAIL MATERIALS
A. Fabricate from Type 316 stainless steel tubing, meeting ASTM A 554.
2.03 FABRICATION
A. Accurately form components to suit specific project conditions and for proper connection
to building structure.
B. Fabricate to comply with requirements indicated for architectural design, dimensions,
details, finish, and member sizes, including wall thickness of pipe, post spacing and
anchorage, but not less than that required to support all structural loads.
1. Connect members by butt welding, unless indicated otherwise.
2. Change directions by insertion of elbow fittings or by radius bends.
3. Form curved sections by rolling produce uniform curvature indicated without
buckling, twisting, or otherwise deforming exposed surfaces of railing component.
4. Provide wall returns at ends of wall mounted handrails.
5. Close exposed ends of pipe by welding 3/16 inch steel plate in place or by use of
prefabricated fittings.
6. For steel railings and handrails formed from steel pipe with galvanized finish,
galvanize fittings, brackets, fasteners, sleeves and other ferrous components.
7. For interior steel railings formed from black steel pipe, provide non-galvanized
ferrous metal fittings, brackets, fasteners, and sleeves, except galvanize anchors
embedded in exterior masonry and concrete construction
8. For interior steel railings formed from stainless steel pipe, provide stainless steel
metal fittings, brackets, fasteners, and sleeves.
C. Provide anchors and other components as required to attach to structure, made of same
materials as railing components unless otherwise indicated; where exposed fasteners are
unavoidable provide flush countersunk fasteners.
1. For anchorage to concrete, provide inserts to be cast into concrete, for bolting
anchors.
2. For anchorage to masonry, provide brackets to be embedded in masonry, for
bolting anchors.
3. For anchorage to metal-framed walls, provide backing plates, for bolting anchors.
4. Fillers: Provide steel sheet or plate fillers of size and thickness indicated or
required to support structural loads of handrails where needed to transfer wall
bracket loads through wall finishes to structural supports. Size fillers to suit wall
finish thicknesses. Size fillers to produce adequate bearing to prevent bracket
rotation and overstressing of substrate.
D. Provide welding fittings to join lengths, seal open ends, and conceal exposed mounting
bolts and nuts, including but not limited to elbows, T-shapes, splice connectors, flanges,
escutcheons, and wall brackets.
E. Fit and shop assemble components in largest practical sizes for delivery to site.
F. Fabricate components with joints tightly fitted and secured. Provide spigots and sleeves
to accommodate site assembly and installation.
G. Exterior Components: Continuously seal joined pieces by intermittent welds and plastic
filler. Drill condensate drainage holes at bottom of members at locations that will not
encourage water intrusion.
H. Interior Components: Continuously seal joined pieces by intermittent welds and plastic
filler.
I. Grind exposed joints flush and smooth with adjacent finish surface. Make exposed joints
butt tight, flush, and hairline. Ease exposed edges to small uniform radius.
J. Accurately form components to suit specific project conditions and for proper connection
to building structure.
K. Shear and punch metals cleanly and accurately. Remove burrs.
L. Ease exposed edges to a radius of approximately 1/32 inch unless otherwise indicated.
Form bent-metal corners to the smallest radius possible without causing grain separation
or otherwise impairing the work.
PART 3 – EXECUTION
3.01 EXAMINATION
A. Verify that field conditions are acceptable and are ready to receive work.
3.02 PREPARATION
A. Clean and strip primed steel items to bare metal where site welding is required.
B. Supply items required to be cast into concrete or embedded in masonry with setting
templates, for installation as work of other sections.
C. Apply one coat of bituminous paint to concealed aluminum, steel and stainless steel
surfaces that will be in contact with cementitious or dissimilar materials.
3.03 INSTALLATION
A. Install in accordance with fabricators and/or manufacturer's instructions.
B. Install components plumb and level, accurately fitted, free from distortion or defects, with
tight joints.
C. Anchor railings securely to structure.
D. Field weld anchors as indicated on Contract Drawings. Touch-up welds with primer.
Grind welds smooth.
E. Conceal anchor bolts and screws whenever possible. Where not concealed, use flush
countersunk fastenings.
F. Pipe railings and handrails: Adjust railings prior to anchoring to ensure matching
alignment of abutting joints. Space posts at spacing indicated or as required by design
loadings. Plumb posts in each direction. Secure posts and railing ends to building as
follows:
1. Secure to concrete by epoxy anchoring system. Cover anchorage joint with
round steel flange attached to post with set screws.
2. Secure handrails to walls with wall brackets and end fittings. Provide 1-1/2 inch
clearance between inside face of handrail and finished wall surface. Locate
brackets as indicated, or as required to support structural loads. Secure wall
brackets and wall return fittings to building construction as follows:
a. Use bracket with flange tapped for concealed anchorage to threaded
hanger bolt.
b. For concrete and solid masonry, use drilled-in expansion shield and
hanger bolt or lag bolt as applicable.
c. For hollow masonry anchorage, use toggle bolts having square heads.
d. For steel framed gypsum board assemblies, fasten brackets directly to
steel framing or concealed anchors using self-tapping screws of size and
type required to support structural loads.
G. Assemble with spigots and sleeves to accommodate tight joints and secure installation.
3.04 ERECTION TOLERANCES
A. Maximum Variation from Plumb: 1/4 inch per floor level, non-cumulative.
B. Maximum Offset from True Alignment: 1/4 inch.
C. Maximum Out-of-Position: 1/4 inch.
3.05 SCHEDULE
Railing Type
Material
Finish
HMDRL-1
Black Steel Pipe
Shop-Primed &
Painted
HNDRL-2
Stainless Steel
Brushed
GDR-1
Black Steel Pipe
Shop-Primed &
Painted
GDR-2
Stainless Steel
Brushed
GDR-3
Stainless Steel
w/Perforated Infill
Panels
Brushed
GDR-4
Steel Pipe
Shop-Primed &
Painted
GDR-5
Black Steel
w/Stainless Steel
Cable Infill Panels
Shop-Primed &
Painted
END OF SECTION
Location
Project