ASTM E1481-00a

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Designation:E1481–00a
Standard Terminology of
Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1481; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope baluster casting—an ornamental cast element attached to a
baluster.Also, cast element designed to attach baluster to top
1.1 This terminology consists of terms and definitions
and bottom rails.
pertaining to railing systems and rails for buildings, and in
baluster railing system—a system consisting of posts, balus-
particular, terms related to the standards generated by ASTM
ters, top rail, and bottom rail.
Committee E-6 on Performance of Building Constructions.
balustrade, n—a railing system consisting of a row of balus-
1.2 The purpose of this terminology is to provide meanings
ters capped by a rail or handrail.
and explanations of technical terms, written for both the
bottom rail—the lowest member of a railing system, support-
technical expert and the non-expert user.
ing balusters or panels, if any.
1.3 This terminology is one of a group of special terminolo-
building, n—a structure comprising a partially or totally
gies subsidiary to the comprehensive Terminology E 631.
enclosed space, erected by means of a planned process of
1.4 Terms are listed in alphabetical sequence. Compound
forming and combining materials. E 631
terms appear in the natural spoken order. Where definitions
cap, n—a fitting or plug used to close the end of a pipe, tubular
herein are adopted from other sources, they are exact copies.
post, newel, or rail.
The source is identified at the right margin following the
cap rail—a secondary railing element, often a handrail,
definition and is listed in Section 2.
fastened to the top rail of a railing system. (Syn. rail cap.)
2. Referenced Documents
collar, n— Synonym for escutcheon. E 631
cover flange— Synonym for escutcheon. E 631
2.1 ASTM Standards:
cover plate—Synonym for escutcheon.
E 631 Terminology of Building Constructions
cover ring—Synonym for escutcheon.
E 935 Test Methods for Performance of Permanent Metal
drop cap—the cover of a railing post or newel that is exposed
Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
to view, usually below the stair stringer or floor. E 631
E 985 Specification for Permanent Metal Railing Systems
easement, n—the curved portion of a rail and handrail forming
and Rails for Buildings
a transition in the vertical plane between the horizontal and
2.2 ANSI/ASSE Standard:
inclined sections of a handrail.
A1264.1 Safety Requirements for Workplace Floor and
escutcheon, n—a protective or ornamental cover located at the
Wall Openings, Stairs, and Railing Systems
termination of a post, baluster, or rail against a tread, floor,
3. Terminology
or wall. (Syn. collar, cover flange, cover plate, or cover
ring.)
3.1 Terms and Their Definitions:
expanded metal—See screen.
baluster, baluster bar, n—one of a series of closely spaced,
finial, n—an ornamental piece on the top of a post, newel, or
upright, and parallel infill members of a balustrade, located
railing; frequently in the form of an urn or pineapple, and so
between top rail or handrail and bottom rail or tread or floor
named. E 631
beneath balustrade. Synonym for picket.
flange, n—a flat plate or formed piece at the end of a railing or
rail element for attachment to the adjoining construction or
supporting member.
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E6 on
grab bar—Synonym for grab rail. E 631
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.56
grab rail—a short length of rail located for safety or conve-
on Performance of Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings.
Current edition approved April 10, 2000. Published May 2000. Originally
nience to assist a person in movement at a specific location.
published as E 1481 – 92a. Last previous edition E 1481 – 00.
(Syn. grab bar.) E 631
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11.
3 guardrail system—a railing system, providing protection for
Available from American Society of Safety Engineers, 1800 East Oakton
Street, Des Plaines, IL 60018-2187. building users against accidental fall and injury, located at or
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E1481–00a
near the outer edge of a stair, ramp, landing, platform, deck, pineapple, n—a finial in the form of a pineapple. E 631
balcony, hatchway, manhole, floor opening, porch, or acces- pipe , n—hollow round section of metal or other material, the
sible roof; at the perimeter of an opening or accessible size of which is usually designated by nominal size, in
surface, such as the opening of a stair; or at a location at inches (millimeters), as influenced by inside diameter and
which an operating condition requires access limitation to a wall thickness.
designated area. (Compare railing system.) pipe railing system—a railing system fabricated of pipe or
handgrip, n—the part of a handrail designed to provide a round tubing.
secure grasp. E 631 post, n—a vertical supporting member. E 631
handrail, n—a horizontal, sloping, or vertical member nor- queue-rail system— Synonym for traffic-rail system.
mally grasped by hand for guidance or support. rail, n—a horizontal, inclined, or vertical member of a railing
system, such as top, intermediate, or bottom member con-
DISCUSSION—This member may be part of a railing system and is
necting balusters or posts, or both, at specified intervals.
often, but not necessarily, a top member (top rail), or may be mounted
(Compare handrail.) E 631, E 985, A 1264.1
on a wall or other building element. When part of a stair-rail system, it
is a member paralleling pitch of stair flight and is often, but not rail cap—Synonym for cap rail. E 631
necessarily, a top member. (Compare wall handrail.)
railing, n— Use railing system. E 631
railing return—a bent at the end of a handrail, turning toward
handrail bracket—a device attached to a wall, post, or other
the wall or post to which the handrail is attached.
surface to support the handrail. E 631
railing system—a framework of horizontal, inclined, vertical,
handrail height—the vertical distance from the top surface of
and infill members, including panels and grillwork, for
the top rail to the surface of the finished floor, top of a ramp,
protectionofbuildingoccupantsagainstfallorinjuryandfor
or the nosing line of stair treads. E 631
offering safety and convenience in their movement. (Com-
infill, n—a series of balusters of a baluster railing system and
pare guardrail
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