space between cables in balustrade Hi,
I am looking for some advice about building a balustrade of stainless cable and timber. The balustrade will go around a verandah and will have wooden posts with stainless steel cables running horizontally between them. The problem is that I have had differing advice about how close the stainless cables must be together. One person said a minimum of 125 mm, another said a minimum of 80mm. Does anyone know for sure what the building code requires?
(In case this is relevant, the wooden posts the stainless cable will run between are 1m apart. The deck at its highest point is 1.3 m above the ground).
Relevant part of BCA is 2,16 I think, but here is a doc from a manufacturer that shows what you are after:
http://www.chsmith.com.au/products/b...ing%20code.pdf
As you will see the distances vary according to height and post spacing and whether cable is horizontal or vertical.
Hi
I have built verandah balustrades ( in timber ) in Victoria and South Australia and found that the requirements were quite different. The only thing in common was that when you get above a certain height the requirements changed, So I am not much help, But I guess I am saying, consult a local building inspector or contractor to see what your requirements are. One person stated that they were changing the rules for horizontal rails because children could use the rails as a ladder and climb over the top.
Cheers
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work'Aristotle'
That link I gave is based on the current BCA requirement for cable balustrades and applies in all States & territories. The BCA for timber decks also apply across the country. Differences can occur as the BCA changes over time and some states are slower to adopt. Most legislation now refers to the currency of the BCA so once a change has been agreed then it applies everywhere.
The code has always varied the requirements based on heights and other factors that impinge on safety. A deck that like Jo's is just 1.3m above the ground has a lower risk factor than a deck that is much higher. The BCA mostly uses ranges - ie: structures below 1m, from 1m-4m and so on.
I gave found it better to use original source documents such as the code or extracts from it that are current. My experience is that too many who are supposed to be experts and claim to know what the requirements are, in fact do not. You should rely only on current documents that you can show are accurate reflections of the requirements at a particular date - not on advice such as "one person stated that they were changing the rules for horizontal rails because children could use the rails as a ladder and climb over the top."
Advice can be well-intended and given in good faith, but would be unacceptable if the compliance of your structure were to be questioned at some later time even if that advice came from a qualified builder, architect or council officer (or me if I didn't give the source!).
So while I recommend that this advice is sought from the local authority I also suggest that it should be in writing - with the person you get advice from giving you at least a photocopy of the relevant legal requirements (by hand if you are with them, or by mail, email or a web reference that you can print or save if you are talking to them by phone.
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