Replacing Mezzanine Balustrade

[rubybish]

We have a mezzanine floor which is finished at one end with a glass and steel balustrade.
We would like to replace this with frameless glass balustrade.

1. Do we need to register this change with the council?
2. Do we need any certification for the structural glass?
3. Will a glass company be able to do all the work or will they expect drawings and prep work first?
4. What are the regulations with respect to height of the balustrade and thickness of the glass?

Thanks.

 

[JerryM]

you ask quite a specialised question which i think you need to find potential suppliers who would also be more likely to be able to answer for sure.

not normally of interest to building control as generally it's a like for like replacement. in your case i would check with your local building control office just to be sure as it's not a standard replacement. i think they will probably be interested.

i believe you would need certification as the balustrade is a serious/important safety structure.

balcony balustrading is 1100 mm high.

 

[rubybish]

Thanks for your feedback.
The glaziers are telling us we need the prep work done ourselves, but without ripping out what we currently have its difficult to know what structures we have supporting the floor. Its a bit of a catch 22 situation as its a replacement rather than new build.
Do you know in which documentation the 1100mm height is specified?

 

[hotrod]

Regs for guards and barriers (which incorporate balustrades) are in Part K (see section 3) here:-

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADK_1998.pdf

 

[rubybish]

Thanks for the document.
My reading of page 12 seems to say that 900mm is sufficient for internal guarding. Which I think is what are current balustrade is although it was installed in 1987 before these regs.

 

[hotrod]

rubybish, if you're installing this guarding to a single family dwelling then you are correct that Doc K requires a minimum height of 900mm. These are the current requirements.

The balustrade manufacturers should be able to advise further if required as they will be dealing with these Regs all the time. If they can't I am sure your local BCO can confirm these requirements for you.

 

[JerryM]

i agree with hotrod - would check with your local BCO to be sure.

if it's part of a flight of stairs then its simple - height = 900mm.

if it's residential and classed as a barrier then i think height = 1100mm (from the building reg).

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

if it's residential and classed as a barrier then i think height = 1100mm (from the building reg).

No, Hotrod & Rubybish are correct, its clearly 900mm for residential and internal, page 12 in part K.