E – 1716 Lean on me – Choosing Railings Carefully

In every major city, premier addresses flaunt high-end high-rise residential towers, that make it possible to maximize profit from acquiring high priced land. On these towers, row upon row of sleek railings march toward the heights, declaring at least small pieces of outdoor space as being for private use only.
In conjunction with the design of the whole structure, these railings form a large part of the aesthetic of their projects. They are one of the most visible. All the while, the rails do the job for which they were really designed. That is keeping those behind them alive.
This material briefly examines the materials and methods used to construct barriers against fatal falls. Codes governing the performance of railings will be examined, because safety is the main justification for
such regulations. Different ways to meet those guidelines will be discussed. Different looks made possible by technology will be portrayed. Finally, the challenges faced by busy design firms in choosing, detailing, and specifying these integral building components will be examined.
Many new tools for railing design are becoming available to architects, engineers and builders. 3-D imaging, 3-D modeling, BIM and CAD-CAM programs are changing the perception of what once was possible, especially in the area of renovation projects. New business models are beginning to emerge
whereby the development of standard details and standard specifications for railing systems will become practical, for busy architectural firms providing services in multiple locales.
This course in intended to convey that knowledge to such firms.