FYI AS/NZS1170.1 is similar to BS6399:Part 1, but includes an additional concentrated load case of 0.6 kN to be applied at the top edge/handrail acting inward, outward or downward, positioned for the worst effect. The implication is that the other design loads are outward only.

Rob Thanks for the info much appreciated. Nice to get some other views on this.

John Thanks for the info. BS6399 does have a similar clasue for vertical load to be considered to act at the same time as the horizontal. 1 kn point load or 0.6kN/m UDL (Note 10 - Page 7). Wonder how many people consider this on light handrails systems?

Christopher Sorry - have been moving house and office so have neglected these pages of late. I've come across this before many times, and we fall back on the basic rule of Part A - structures should be capable of resisting loads they are likely to be subjected to. This sometimes needs an assessment from first principles in the absence of codified guidance. In this case we would look at the amount of space behind the balustrade and the nature of that space, and then adopt a suitable inward load. Rob Thomson's assessment seems eminently sensible for most circumstances. We would tend to be a bit more cautious where a public access space had a deep 'fetch' where a rowdy crowd might be envisaged.

Hi Andrew Thanks for the reply. Our main handrail supplier is currently talking to a member of the 6399 code committee with a view to getting somekind of rules for inward loading included within the code. Hopefully an ammendment will be added in the not too distant future. 50% may be a good figure, we will wait and see what they come up with? Regards Chris

Chris - If you wait until until BS 6399 gets updated you might be waiting a while: my understanding is that now the Eurocodes have been published they supersede all the British Standards and, as such, BSI won't be updating them any further.

You're right that BS6399 will not be updated but the National Annex could well be, and it is the same committee responsible. The NA effectively changes all the balustrade loads back to what it was in BS6399. The main differences are that the eurocode doesn't include loads on the infill or the 1kN/0.6kN/m vertical load, and the load is applied at the height of the barrier rather than 1.1m.

You are correct Andrew I'll be waiting till hell freezes over for an ammendment to 6399 but hopefully it will be added to the Eurocode National Annex as Robert says. RIP BS6399 & 5950 you will be missed!