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| Affordable and easy-to-install infill panel installation kit  Hollaender Manufacturing has introduced an affordable and easy-to-install infill panel installation kit designed specifically for builders, architects, facility and building managers. The kit contains everything needed to retrofit existing, non-conforming two and three line railing systems with infill panels to bring the railing systems up to International Building Code (IBC) specifications. It eliminates the prohibitively high cost of removing old, non-compliant railing, and replacing it with new rail. The simple and effective kit includes a rivsert that is inserted into the existing post or rail, a 1-7/8 inch long Hollaender 146 panel connector, and a 3 inch long button head cap screw that fastens the panel and connector to the rivsert. Virtually any type of infill panel can be attached. Many buildings in the U.S. have railings that do not meet current IBC specifications. The biggest failing comes in the area of opening limitations. While local codes should be reviewed for specific requirements, current IBC code states in summary, that, "Guardrails shall be located along side of surfaces where there is a drop of more than 30 inches to the floor or grade below." It goes on to say, "Open guards shall have balusters or ornamental patterns such that a 4 inch diameter sphere cannot pass through any opening up to 34 inches." Many stairways in older buildings have 2-line rail with 20 inch openings that do not meet the 4 inch sphere rule. Other stairways have multiple horizontal rails that cause problems when local codes forbid "ladder effect' railing. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Construction News :: home page |