We are having some barriers replaced on top of our building and someone has requested what height does the barrier have to be?

There are two different minimum height requirements i.e. Work at Height Regs 950mm and the British Standard 1100mm.

Just wondering if anybody knows why there is a difference?

I don’t have the specific BS 6180 and wondering if there are any specific conditions when 1100 is recommended rather than 950mm.

Any further information will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Steve

My understanding is as follows. The 950mm handrail height is generally only suitable for handrails where access is required for the purposes of maintenance and repair and is what used to be stated in the old Construction Regs and which is now embedded in the WaH Regs. This is what is usually accepted for scaffolds and handrails on roofs which are used by maintenance personnel and the like for maintenance purposes only. The 1100mm measurement is that which is acceptable for areas used by visitors and employees or others who may use a roof for leisure purposes etc. and is what is stated in the Building Regs. The other difference to be aware of is the gaps between the top handrail and any intermediate handrails or other guarding that prevents people falling through. The requirement for maintenance purposes is less than that which is required for leisure purposes. You will have to refer to the Bldg Regs for those. So ultimately it depends on what you are using your roof for. Hope this helps.

Thanks Chas that is useful information,
The W@H intermediate guard rail gap should not be greater than 470 mm.
What is the intermediate guard rail gap requirement within BS 6180?

Thanks in advance

Steve

Not sure about BS6180. You need to refer to Bldg Regs App Doc K for all the detail about edge protection because there are choices. In general if you are providing guard rails for leisure purposes you should be looking to provide ones that do not create a ladder effect (ie no horizontal bars to climb on) and have no gaps where a 100mm sphere can pass through. However having said that please also take note of what Bob Youel has said.

Chas has it correct, you need to careful read the WaH Regs, schedule 2 states:

"3. In relation to work at height involved in construction work—
(a)the top guard-rail or other similar means of protection shall be at least 950 millimetres ........."

The 950mm is only for construction work (i.e. of temporary nature and has been interpreted and applied to any temporary works).

the WaH Regs DO NOT mandate a minimum height for permanent fixtures, as Chas states you refer to the relevant Building Regs or British Standard, which states a minimum height of 1100mm with a suitable intermediary.

I would suggest an intermediary at half way would be fine, and I imagine suitable for pretty much most applications (unless you wish to go above and beyond e.g. vertical intermediary’s at 100mm separation - which is specific to that industry). If you have a very specific application then refer to the most relevant guide to your industry, google is your friend here.

Maybe I’m reading far too much into this, but just wanted to be sure and can’t seem to get my head around it. The roof in question will only be accessed by maintenance engineers. i.e. people at work and certainly no leisure activities.

My feeling is that the W@H dimensions would be better as BS 6180 doesn't cover a two-rail barrier. It does mentions the ‘infill should not be large enough to permit a sphere of 100 mm diameter to pass’ but this is not applicable as children certainly will not be on the roof.

Is there any other guidance that references the 950mm?

Any further thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Steve

Correct to my understanding.

OP if the barrier will be permanently installed (which you state it will) then go 1100mm with an intermediary at half way.

The 950mm really is talking about scaffolding and the like in its intent.