ᐅ Railing Guidelines – Head Injury Protection and Climbability

Hello everyone,

Yesterday, we had a crisis meeting with the managing director of our house building company. The situation is getting out of hand, and we are close to involving a lawyer because there are issues where reason no longer helps. One of these issues is the following topic.

The latest development is that we have been contracted to install railings over a gallery between the ground floor and first floor, as well as on the outside balcony. We want these railings to have horizontal bars (rough sketches for reference attached). Now the building company says they won’t make such railings and that we should remove this item from the contract and hire a metalworker instead.

When we asked why, they told us something about entrapment hazards for children, and that the bars cannot be spaced more than 120mm (4.7 inches) apart. Also, they said the rails should not be horizontal because children might climb on them.

I find both reasons quite far-fetched. I know about entrapment hazards from public spaces, but only in a specific range, for example between 89mm (3.5 inches) and 230mm (9 inches); anything above or below is usually considered safe. But this shouldn’t apply to private residential buildings, right? Or does it?

The argument about climbing is also nonsense; dangers are everywhere, so why would railings be more problematic?

One can debate the pros and cons of such railings all day long. I just want to know if any of you are aware that this is actually forbidden, as he claims. Removing the railings from the contract also makes no sense; we would likely only receive a fraction of the credit compared to what such railings actually cost (credits are still pending).

Do you have any advice or are there guidelines for railings that a metalworker would need to follow?

I would really appreciate your feedback.

Best regards

Fertighaus123 schrieb:

One can debate the pros and cons of such a railing endlessly. I just want to know from you if you actually know whether this is really forbidden, because that is exactly what he claims.

The clear answer is maybe. It depends on the federal state and the regional building code. This also applies to the 12cm (5 inches) — usually not allowed.

We are building in BW.

Can you explain what you mean by the 12cm (5 inches)? What is not allowed there? Deviating either smaller or larger?

I have also heard and read about the horizontal bars. While they are not explicitly prohibited, any part that can be stood on is now considered the starting point for calculating the minimum height of fall protection or the railing. So, if a minimum height of 90cm (35 inches) is required and you have a window seat that is 40cm (16 inches) high, the 90cm (35 inches) minimum height is measured from the top of the window seat, not from the floor.

Some people consider a horizontal bar that can be climbed on as climbable, and if you have several of these, you would essentially have to turn the railing into a fully closed barrier all the way up to the ceiling. However, I could also imagine that the rules might be applied differently for stair railings or balcony railings compared to floor-to-ceiling windows...

I would never install a railing like that if I had children under 16 years old. Never.

Fertighaus123 schrieb:

I think both topics are far-fetched reasons.

I don’t think that’s far-fetched. The railings in the pictures could be deadly for babies and toddlers. If you don’t have children yourselves, that might be fine, but children could still visit. They can easily crawl right through!

Just take a look at the requirements in § 3 LBOAVO yourself.