ASTM E985-24

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E985 − 24
Standard Specification for
Permanent Metal Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E985; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
1.1 This specification covers permanent metal railing sys-
only.
tems (guard, stair, and ramp-rail systems) and rails (hand, wall,
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
grab, and transfer rails) installed in and for agricultural,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
assembly, commercial, educational, industrial, institutional,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
recreational, and residential buildings. However, this standard
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
does not cover metal railing systems installed in and for
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
industrial, commercial, and other non-residential workplace
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
occupancies where normally only adults will be present or have
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
access, and for which guardrail or handrail requirements are
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
specified by occupational safety and health safety regulations
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
and standards. This standard does not cover ballasted railing
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
systems.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.2 This specification is intended to be applied to permanent
metal railing systems for buildings and to such railing systems
2. Referenced Documents
and rails having major structural components made of metal,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
with their secondary components made of metal or other
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
materials such as wood, plastics, and glass.
E894 Test Method for Anchorage of Permanent Metal Rail-
1.3 This specification considers that today’s and tomorrow’s
ing Systems and Rails for Buildings
overall outlook is based on the health and safety of all potential
E935 Test Methods for Performance of Permanent Metal
users of buildings. The criteria incorporated in this specifica-
Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
tion provide for normal and anticipated building uses, but not
E1481 Terminology of Railing Systems and Rails for Build-
for abuses for which the building and its components are not
ings
designed.
1.4 This specification establishes basic minimum require-
3. Terminology
ments and criteria that lead to satisfactory products under
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms covering railing
normal use conditions and does not give consideration to
systems and rails for buildings, see Terminology E631 and
design criteria for specific field conditions, the establishment of
Terminology E1481.
which is the prerogative and responsibility of the designer,
specification writer, and code agencies.
4. Design Requirements
1.5 Sources of supportive information are listed in the
4.1 Railing Height:
Reference section (1-28).
4.1.1 Guardrail Systems:
4.1.1.1 The fabricated height of a guardrail system, mea-
sured from its top surface to the finished floor level, shall be a
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
minimum of 1.07 m (42 in.). When variations in the evenness
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.56
on Performance of Railing Systems and Glass for Floors and Stairs. of the finished floor will result in individual height measure-
Current edition approved April 15, 2024. Published April 2024. Originally
ments of the installed guardrail system to be less than 1.04 m
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E985 – 00 (2006)
which was withdrawn January 2015 and reinstated in April 2024. DOI: 10.1520/
E0985-24.
2 4
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:E06-1000. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
The boldfaced numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
of this specification. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E985 − 24
(41 in.), the fabricated height of the guardrail system shall be various members of the railing system, such as balusters,
increased accordingly. screens, wire mesh, or scrolls, shall be arranged in such a way
that a sphere, 102 mm (4 in.) in diameter cannot be passed
4.1.1.2 Within an individual dwelling unit, the required
railing height is reduced. through any opening in the system up to a height of 0.66 m
(26 in.) above the top surface of the adjacent finished floor.
(a) Where the vertical distance between adjacent finished
floor levels is less than 1.83 m (72 in.), the height shall be a
4.2.3 In industrial, commercial, and other nonresidential
minimum of 0.81 m (32 in.). When variations in the evenness occupancies, where only adults normally will be present or
of the finished floor will result in individual height measure-
have access, and in areas where access by the users is
ments of the installed guardrail system to be less than 0.79 m infrequent, the diameter of the sphere may be increased to
(31 in.), the fabricated height of the guardrail system shall be
533 mm (21 in.) unless other conditions warrant a smaller
increased accordingly. diameter.
(b) Where the vertical distance between adjacent finished
4.2.4 Toe boards shall be provided in areas where tools and
floor levels is a minimum of 1.83 m (72 in.), the height shall be
other objects could be dislodged and fall on occupants below.
a minimum of 0.86 m (34 in.). When variations in the evenness
The top of the toe board shall not be less than 102 mm (4 in.)
of the finished floor will result in individual height measure- 1
and the bottom not more than 13 mm ( ⁄2 in.) above the average
ments of the installed guardrail system to be less than 0.84 m
finished level at the line of the vertical supports of the railing
(33 in.), the fabricated height of the guardrail system shall be
system.
increased accordingly.
4.3 Handrail Design:
4.1.1.3 In public assembly, elementary school, and multiple-
4.3.1 Handrails shall be designed to permit continuous
family occupanies where the vertical distance between stair
sliding of hands. The hardware chosen for attaching handrails
and adjacent levels is more than 4.1 m (20 ft), the required
to balusters or walls shall be such that projecting lugs, devices,
railing height shall be increased beyond that given in 4.1.1.1.
or other construction elements shall have no sharp edges or
4.1.1.4 For balconies in public-assembly occupancies, the
dangerous protrusions.
required railing height in front of the first row of fixed seats
4.3.2 Handrail ends shall be returned to supporting walls or
shall be reduced to 0.66 m (26 in.) provided adequate safety is
otherwise arranged to avoid projecting rail ends. Wall handrails
established by the designer and approved by the authority
at stairs and ramps and other handrails that are not continuous
having jurisdiction; however, it shall be a minimum of 0.91 m
shall be extended horizontally for a distance of at least 305 mm
(36 in.) at aisle ends and a minimum of 1.07 m (42 in.) where
(12 in.) beyond the intersection of the finish line (plane of
aisle steps occur.
thread nose lines) of the stair or ramp and the landings, unless
4.1.2 Handrails and Stair-Rail Systems:
interference limits such an extension.
4.1.2.1 In corridors, ramps, walkways, and enclosed stair-
4.3.3 The clearance between the handrail and the mounting
ways having a slope of at least 1 in 20, the height of the
surface or any protrusions from this surface shall be 38 mm
handrail of the stair-rail systems, measured from its top surface
(1 ⁄2 in.). The handrail shall project no more than 89 mm
to the finished floor level or tread-nose line, shall be not less
(3 ⁄2 in.) into the required minimum egress width. The vertical
than 0.86 m (34 in.) nor more than 0.97 m (38 in.). When a
clearance in a recess shall be in accordance with the provision
stair-rail system is higher than 0.97 m (38 in.), a separate
in 4.4.5.
handrail shall be installed at a height of not less than 0.86 m
4.3.4 The hand-grip portion of the handrail shall be not less
(34 in.) nor more than 0.97 m (38 in.).
than 32 mm (1 ⁄4 in.) nor more than 51 mm (2 in.) in outside
4.1.2.2 Where required and in childcare and educational
diameter.
facilities serving children under the age of 12 years, a second
separate handrail shall be permitted to be installed at a
4.4 Transfer Rail Design:
mounting height of 24 in. to 28 in. (610 mm to 710 mm). The
4.4.1 Transfer rails shall be designed to permit continuous
vertical clearance between the handrails shall be at least 9 in.
sliding of the arm and hand supporting the body weight during
(230 mm).
transfer. The hardware chosen for attaching the transfer rails
4.1.3 Transfer Rail Systems—Where transfer rail systems
shall be such that projecting lugs, devices, or other construction
are to be installed, such as in toilets and bathrooms, the
elements shall not interrupt the continuous sliding of arm or
required height, measured from its top surface to the finished
hand or catch loose clothing. The transfer rails, including their
floor level, shall not be less than 0.76 m (30 in.) nor more than
fasteners, shall have no sharp edges or dangerous protrusions.
0.86 m (34 in.).
The transfer rail top surface shall not be abrasive.
4.4.2 Transfer rails shall be returned to supporting walls or
4.2 Railing System Penetration:
otherwise arranged to avoid projecting rail ends.
4.2.1 The various members of the railing system shall be
4.4.3 The clearance between the face of the transfer rail and
arranged such that a sphere, 140 mm (5 ⁄2 in.) in diameter,
cannot be passed through any opening in the system except as that of the mounting surface or any protrusions from this
surface shall be 38 mm (1 ⁄2 in.).
noted in 4.2.2. The members shall be arranged to discourage
climbing.
4.4.4 The hand-grip portion of the transfer rail shall have a
4.2.2 In areas protected by a railing system where children perimeter of not less than 102 mm (4 in.) nor more than 165
five years of age or less will be present or have access and mm (6 ⁄2 in.), and a maximum to minimum cross-sectional
require protection from passing through the railing system, the dimension ratio of not more than two.
E985 − 24
4.4.5 Transfer rails shall not be located in a wall recess uniformly distributed test load of 730 N/m (50 lbf/ft) applied to
unless this recess is not more than 76 mm (3 in.) deep and the top of the railing system where appropriate (see 7.1.9), in
extends at least 457 mm (18 in.) above the top of the transfer both horizontal and vertical downward directions. The hori-
rail, with the extension parallel with the wall surface or sloping zontal and vertical loadings as well as the concentrated and
from the depth of the recess to the wall surface above the recess uniformly distributed test loads shall not be applied concur-
in such a way that grasping of the transfer rail and transfer of rently. The exceptions to these test loads are indicated in 7.1.2
the body weight are not impeded. – 7.1.5. The test loads are applicable for railing systems with
supports not more than 2.44 m (8 ft) apart. When subject to
4.5 Special Consideration Concerning Performance of
impact or panic loading, the designer shall evaluate the system
Structural System—In the event of lateral loading resulting
for increased test-load requirements.
from wind and seismic forces, the designer of the building shall
7.1.2 Where the railing system is installed in one- or
evaluate the railing system for not adversely affecting the
two-family dwelling units, these minimum concentrated and
functioning of the structural system o
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