A Beginner's Guide to ASCE 7-10

Chapter 5 - L: Live Loads

© 2012, T. Bartlett Quimby

BGASCE7-10 Section 5.3

Loads on Handrails, Guardrails, Grab Bars, Ladders and Vehicle Barriers

Last Revised: 11/04/2014

ASCE 7-10 Section 4.5 provides loads for the design of particular building components that may be subjected to particularly large concentrated or point loads.  These loads are generally applied to the design of the specified component and the structure that immediately supports the load, though the entire system must be capable of supporting the loading.

Handrails and Guardrail systems require design for two separate load scenarios.  The first being a point load applied at any location and in any direction. The second being a vertical distributed load over the length of the railing. The final design must accommodate both loading, however not both loadings at the same time.

Grab bar system must only be designed to resist a large point load at any location and in any direction.

In addition to the previously mentioned guardrail loading, vehicle barrier systems must be able to resist a large point load applied horizontally and acting a given distance above the floor surface.

Fixed ladder systems with rungs must be able to handle a large point load at any location and in any direction.  There is also provision for how many of these point loads must be acting at a given time.  Requirements are also given for handrails that extend above the floor or platform at the top of the ladder.  Ladders with treads instead of rungs are to be treated as stairs.