Securing your outdoor space with a terrace railing is essential to prevent falls and accidents. Safety is governed by very strict standards and rules so that you can enjoy your terrace or balcony with complete peace of mind.
Railing, guardrail, what is it?
A terrace railing allows you to partition and separate spaces. Its main function is to secure a staircase, a raised terrace, etc. The railing helps prevent falls and deters children from passing through, for example.
Furthermore, a railing is a great decorative element thanks to various aesthetic styles. Even if it is not necessary to secure your terrace, a railing can add an interesting decorative feature. Whether in stainless steel, glass, or wrought iron, the possibilities are numerous!
Before choosing the railing of your dreams, discover the standards and regulations required for this project!
Read also: “Terrace guardrails: answers to all your questions!”
Which standards are in force in France?
For your safety as well as that of children and animals, the use of a railing or guardrail is mandatory. There are 2 standards to take into account:
When to install a railing?
It is essential to install a terrace railing if the terrace is 45 cm high or more. If the height of your balcony or terrace is lower, you can simply add a small low wall or a planter. For example, if you cannot find what you are looking for or if a railing is too expensive for your budget, do not hesitate to opt for canvas privacy screens or artificial hedges. A privacy screen hides you from prying eyes while protecting you from wind and noise.
Read also: “How to keep an outdoor green wall perfect in every season?”
Required terrace railing height
For a railing less than 20 cm thick, the required height is one meter. If your railing is thicker (approximately 50 cm thick), such as stone low walls, the height can be reduced to 80 cm.
Important: to prevent children from climbing the railing, it must be solid for at least the first 45 cm of height.
To secure a staircase: Terrace railings are also used to protect against falls on stairs. However, on the first 45 centimeters, no infill is mandatory. Its minimum size must be 80 cm high from the top of the step.
Which infill to choose for your railing?
The railing must be strong enough to meet specific characteristics. Its resistance must be 60 N/ml of pressure. Do not hesitate to ask your installer or seller for this information. Note: if you want a railing for a public place (offices, shops, theaters), the resistance must be higher and specific: 100 daN (1.0 kN) in public places and ERP establishments; 170 daN (1.7 kN) for protecting grandstands, stadiums, and crowd movement zones.
In the case of a railing higher than 1 m, your guardrail must comply with regulation NFP 01-012. The railing must be solid for 45 cm of height with a sturdy material such as glass or sheet metal. For a railing with railings, the rails must not have a spacing greater than 18 cm. If you choose an infill with cable railings, the spacing between them must be less than 14.5 cm.
Finally, for vertical railings, each bar must be spaced a maximum of 11 cm apart.
Stair railing infill: Does your railing have bars? Each bar must be spaced a maximum of 18 cm apart, and 14.5 cm for cables. For vertical railings, their spacing must not be greater than 11 cm. Between the last step and the rail (or cable), the distance must be less than 5 cm.
Special cases: For sloping ground with an inclination of less than 45°, a railing is not mandatory. Beyond that, it will be necessary to install protection. Railings do not only apply to stairs, terraces, or balconies. They are also useful for windows that have more than one meter of height between them and the ground. They are subject to the same rules as for terraces and balconies. Indeed, as soon as there is a risk of a serious fall, a railing is mandatory! Be careful, do not install your guardrail yourself, as you risk an accident. Furthermore, a professional can advise you and ensure compliance with current standards.
Is a building permit required?
To install a railing on an existing staircase, it is necessary to file a declaration of works. To do this, you must send Cerfa 137 031 6 to your local municipality. For new outdoor construction, a building permit is indeed required. Certain shapes or manufacturing materials may be imposed on you. These elements must appear in the PLU (Local Urban Plan) of your municipality. However, for the interior of your house, no declaration will be requested.
You are now a terrace railing pro! Remember that in the event of an accident, if you installed the railing yourself, the manufacturer is not liable. Now, it’s up to you to set up your railing!
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