Metal handrails corroded

Causes

Inadequately protected from corrosion – galvanising/painting is not sufficient

Existing corrosion protection removed if handrail site-welded 

Handrail at the end of its serviceable life

Listed under: finishes, metal, paint, Section, barriers and balustrades, handrails, durability, corrosion

Cause

Inadequately protected from corrosion – galvanising/painting is not sufficient

Repair

  • where corrosion is very light and the handrail itself remains secure, sand to remove corrosion, apply a zinc-rich primer followed by a metal primer and then application of finish coats of a paint suitable for metal

  • if only one area of the handrail is rusted through, cut out the damaged area and have a new section welded in. Apply a zinc-rich metal primer, followed by a metal primer and then finish coats of a paint suitable for metal

  • where corrosion is severe and widespread, replace the whole handrail. The key requirements are:

    • the handrail must be continuous and extend for the full extent of the hazard (the drop)

    • the handrail and its fixings must be strong enough to withstand the impact people are likely to have on it and, where likely, the pressure of people pressing against it

    • where the handrail is part of a barrier above a drop of 1 m or more, openings anywhere in the barrier must be of a size that a 100 mm diameter sphere cannot pass through and the barrier must not able to be climbed by children

    • any handrail on stairs must be positioned 900 mm above the “pitchline” (the line joining the nosings or leading edge of the stair treads). For balconies and decks, and the edges of internal floors, the barrier height should be 1000 mm

  • if the handrail is on the edge of a drop where someone could suffer a vertical fall or 1 metre or more, just removing it without replacing it is not an option – in this situation a barrier is required under the Building Code.

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Cause

Existing corrosion protection removed if handrail site-welded 

Repair

  • as in the first repair

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Cause

Handrail at the end of its serviceable life

Repair

  • where corrosion is severe and widespread, replace the whole handrail. The key requirements are:

    • the handrail must be continuous and extend for the full extent of the hazard (the drop)

    • the handrail/barrier and its fixings must be strong enough to withstand the impact people are likely to have on it and, where likely, the pressure of people pressing against it\

    • where the handrail is part of a barrier above a drop of 1 m or more, openings anywhere in the barrier must be of a size that a 100 mm diameter sphere cannot pass through and the barrier must not able to be climbed by children

    • any handrail on stairs must be positioned 900 mm above the “pitchline” (the line joining the nosings or leading edge of the stair treads). For balconies and decks, and the edges of internal floors, the barrier height should be 1000 mm

  • if the handrail is on the edge of a drop where someone could suffer a vertical fall or 1 metre or more, just removing it without replacing it is not an option – in this situation a barrier is required under the Building Code.

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