Siting of pedestrian guarding

For all buildings

3.1 Provide guarding in all of the following locations:

a. where it is reasonably necessary for safety to guard the edges of any part of a floor (including the edge below an opening window), gallery, balcony, roof (including roof lights and other openings), any other place to which people have access, and any light well, basement or similar sunken area next to a building

b. in vehicle parks. NOTE: You do not need to provide guarding in the following locations:

on ramps used only for vehicle access
in places such as loading bays where it would obstruct normal use.

Design of guarding

For all buildings

3.2 Guarding should be provided in accordance with all of the following:

a. Ensure that guarding is, as a minimum, the height shown in Diagram 3.1.

b. You can use any wall, parapet, balustrade or similar obstruction as guarding.

c. Ensure that guarding can resist, as a minimum, the loads given in BS EN 1991-1-1 with its UK National Annex and PD 6688-1-1.

d. Where glazing is used in the guarding, refer also to Section 5 in this approved document.

NOTE: Typical locations for guarding are shown in Diagram 3.2. For further guidance on the design of barriers and infill panels, refer to BS 6180.

Diagram 3.1 Guarding design

general G6

3.3 In a building that may be used by children under five years of age during normal use, guarding should be constructed in accordance with both of the following:

a. To prevent children being held fast by the guarding: ensure that a 100mm sphere cannot pass through any openings in the guarding.

b. To prevent children from readily being able to climb the guarding: avoid horizontal rails.

Diagram 3.2 Typical locations for guarding

general G6

Guarding of areas used for maintenance

For all buildings

3.4 Where people will use the stairs or ladders to access areas for maintenance they should comply with one of the following:

a. If access will be required frequently (e.g. a minimum of once per month): follow provisions such as those suggested for dwellings in this Approved Document (see Diagram 3.1).

b. If access will be required less frequently than once a month: it may be appropriate to use temporary guarding or warning notices. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and the Work at Height Regulations 2005 give provisions for such measures.

3.5 Use signs as specified in the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.

Section 3: Guidance on protection from falling