What is the minimum height of a guardrail?

Guardrail Height UK

The main goal of guardrails is to protect people from falling accidents. In order for guardrails to perform their safety role well, there are certain regulations that govern them in regard to their height. In this blog post, we will discuss what the minimum height of a guardrail is depending on different scenarios. 

Guardrails can be divided into different categories. In this post, we will discuss the requirements that cover children’s safety guardrails, outdoor guardrails and indoor guardrails. 

So, what is the minimum guardrail height in the UK?

Outdoor Guardrails 

According to the Regulations, outdoor barriers such as barriers located on terraces or roofs must be at least 0.9 metres high from the platform or the floor. However, guardrails for construction work must have a minimum height of 950mm and gaps between the top rail and any intermediate rail should not go over 470mm. These requirements are referenced in the Work at Height Regulations 2005.    

Indoor Guardrails 

Guardrails such as balustrades and railings for stairs must be at least 0.9 metres high. It is worth keeping in mind that if any space is used by children, it has to be ensured that they cannot climb the railings. Therefore, every area where you want guardrails to be located has to be well-inspected and reassessed by project managers. This will help to minimise the risk of accidents. 

Children’s Safety Guardrails 

According to UK’s Building Regulations, guardrails that are located in areas dedicated to children must be at least 100mm apart. What is more, they need to be resistant to pushing and children cannot be able to climb them. In terms of domestic and residential areas, regulations are a bit different. Railings located on balconies and outdoor roofs must have a minimum height of 1.1 metres. They also need gaps of less than 99mm to prevent children from passing between them. 

Speak to us to discuss your options 

At Alpha Rail, we supply a range of guardrails for various projects. If you need some help with choosing the best products, please contact us on 01623 750 214 or at websales@alpharail.co.uk. Alternatively, you can fill out the form down below. We will be in touch with you shortly. You can also check our previous projects here.