Industrial Handrail Guarding

In 1999 BRE (Building Research Establishment) produced Digest 437 (Industrial Platform Floors: mezzanine and raised storage) to ease difficulties with design relating to mezzanine floors. The digest contains useful information in the section ‘Guarding’ in relation to protecting people or equipment failing from the edges of mezzanine floors and raised storage areas.

Mezzanine Floor Handrail Height

Approved Document K (Protection from Falling, Collision and Impact) specifies that mezzanine floors in industrial settings should have guardrails that are no lower than 1.1 metres (1100mm).

Mezzanine Floor Handrail Loadings

BRE Digest 437 and Approved Document K both make reference to BS EN 1991-1-1 for guidance on the minimum loads that handrailing can resist. To comply with BS EN 1991-1-1, the minimum imposed horizontal loading is 0.74kN / metre run of guarding (assumed to be acting at a height of 1100mm above the finished floor level of the platform floor.)

Northern Pallet Gate can supply, deliver and install handrailing alongside your pallet gate to complete your installation. For more advice please contact us for a quotation or call on 0113 487 1643.