What is this BS 13700 about?
BS 13700 specifies requirements for the design, performance, testing, inspection, marking and instructions for use of manufactured free‐standing permanent guardrails that rely on mass and friction and are intended to protect workers from a fall hazard. These guardrails are not fixed to a structure.
BS 13700 specifies safety components are used that could increase the exposure area of the edge protection system (e.g., toe boards), separate calculations shall be produced to consider the effect on the structure during working wind conditions.
Note: BS 13700 does not apply to:
- Temporary counterweighted guardrails (see BS EN 13374)
- Warning chains/posts used for demarcation
- Netting or infill panels used as barriers
- Guardrails that penetrate the structure and secure to the substrate
- Guardrails designed to support material‐handling equipment
- Guardrails intended for use on surfaces with a slope of more than 5°
Who is this BS 13700 for?
BS 13700 on permanent counterweighted guardrail systems is useful for:
- Manufacturers or suppliers of guardrail
- Organization or person of PCGS
- Road construction industry
- Civil engineer
- Workers of PCGS
Why should you use this BS 13700?
To protect employees from injuries and to prevent catching or snagging of clothing. BS 13700 specifies PCGS at the ends of the top rails and mid-rails to not overhang the terminal posts, except where the overhang does not pose a projection hazard for employees.
By adapting, specifications enlisted in BS 13700 fasteners can connect counterweights and railings or railing elements for the applied loads
Also, static test aids in estimating PCGS specification for withstanding, without failure a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied in a downward or outward direction within 2 inches (5 cm) of the top edge, at any point along the top rail.
