Guardrails
- Guardrails must be at least 1100 mm height. This parameter is measured vertically from the ground level, to the highest point of the guardrail.
- The guardrails must have sufficient strength and stiffness to withstand a horizontal uniformly distributed force of 3.0 kN/m.
- The guardrails cannot be easily climbable.
- Openings on guardrails shall not allow a 100 mm diameter sphere to pass through.
- When guardrails are installed to protect slopes, they must have a continuous base in their entire length from the floor surface to a minimum height of 100 mm.
Full Guidance

LCG1
Absence of unprotected level changes – guardrails for heights ≥500mm
LCG2
Height ≥1100mm
LCG3
With sufficient strength and stiffness to withstand horizontally uniformly distributed force of 3 KN/m

LCG4
Can not be climbable
LCG5
Width of horizontal and vertical openings ≤100mm

LCG6
1- Availability of continuous base on the entire open side length
2- Continuous base ≥100mm height from the floor surface for ramps & stairs
Glossary of Terms
Pendulum test value (PTV) is a measurement of the slip resistance of a floor surface, either an external or internal floor of a building. The least slip resistance a surface material is, the more likely people may skid or trip, especially in wet conditions. In average circumstances, slip-resistance is as follows:
0-18 = very low slip-resistance.
18-25 = moderate slip-resistance.
25-36 = good slip resistance.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is a numeric scale that is used to identify how much light a colour reflects or absorbs. It is used in universal design to identify the contrast between two colours. This can help to determine if there is sufficient contrast to visually identify a feature such as a fonts on a sign, elevator call button, a handrail and other items which need to be seen by visually impaired people.
A strong bar, fence, railing, balustrade or glass constructed as part of building along side a drop or something steep, such as slopes, stairs, balcony edges, external paths or terraces. They are suitably strong to prevent people from tripping or falling off causing harm.
Kilonewtons (kN/m), is the measurement of pressure or force. In universal design, we use kN/m to measure the pressure resistance of floors, the force needed to open doors or the force used against guardrails.
Tools and Templates
