SECTION 05720 Aluminum Handrails and Railings: Sample Specifications

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GENERAL
RELATED DOCUMENTS
SUMMARY
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
SUBMITTALS
QUALITY ASSURANCE
STORAGE
PROJECT CONDITIONS
PRODUCTS
MANUFACTURERS/FABRICATORS
METALS
GROUT AND ANCHORING CEMENT
WELDING MATERIALS, FASTENERS AND ANCHORS
FABRICATION
ALUMINUM FINISHES
EXECUTION
PREPARATION
INSTALLATION GENERAL
ANCHORING POSTS
CLEANING, PROTECTION AND TOUCH-UP PAINTING

1.00         GENERAL

1.01         RELATED DOCUMENTS

                A.  Architectural Drawings, Site Plans, Landscape Drawings and/or Interior Design Drawings.

1.02         SUMMARY

                A.  This section includes furnishing and installing Aluminum Handrails and Guardrails as indicated

                      on drawings and includes Miscellaneous Aluminum Handrails and Guardrails not included in

                      other sections of these specifications, such as Aluminum Pipe Railing Systems, Ornamental

                      Railing Systems and Glass Railing Systems.

   

 

1.03         SYSTEM PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

                A.  General:  In engineering handrail and railing systems to withstand structural loads indicated

                      determine allowable design working stresses of railing materials based on the following:

                      1.  For Aluminum:  The Aluminum Association’s specification for Aluminum Structures.

                B.   Structural Performance of Handrails and Railing Systems:

                      Engineer, fabricate and install handrails and railing systems to withstand the following structural

                      loads without exceeding the allowable design working stress of the materials for handrails,

                      railing systems, anchors and connections.  Apply each load to produce the maximum stress in

                      each of the respective components comprising handrails and railing systems.                      

                      1.  Top Rail of Guardrail Systems:  Capable of withstanding the following loads applied as determined

                           a.  Concentrated load of 200 lb. applied at any point and in any direction.

                           b.  Uniform load of 50 lb. per lineal ft. applied horizontally and concurrently with uniform load

                                of 100 lb. per lineal ft. applied vertically downward.

                           c.  Concentrated load need not be assumed  to act concurrently with uniform loads.

                      2.  Handrails Not Serving as Top rails: Capable of withstanding the following loads applied as

                           indicated:

                           a.  Concentrated load of 200 lb. applied at any point and in any direction.

                           b.  Uniform load of 50 lb. per linear ft. applied in any direction.

                           c.  Concentrated and uniform loads need not be assumed to act concurrently.

                      3.  Infill Area of Guardrail Systems:  Capable of withstanding a horizontal concentrated load of

                           200 lb. applied to one sq. ft. at any point in the system.

                           a.  Above load need not be assumed to act concurrently with loads on top rails of railing

                                systems in determining stress on guard.

                 C.  Control of Corrosion:  Prevent galvanic action and other forms of corrosion by insulating metals

                       and other materials from direct contact with incompatible materials.

                D.  Thermal Movements:  Allow for thermal movement resulting from the following maximum change

                       (range) in ambient temperature in the design, fabrication, and installation of handrails and railings

                       to prevent buckling, opening up of joints, overstressing of components, connections and other

                       detrimental effects.  Base design calculation on actual surface temperatures of materials due to both

                       solar heat gain and nighttime sky heat loss.

                        1.  Temperature Change (range): 100 degree F ambient; 150 degree F material surfaces.

1.04         SUBMITTALS

                A.  Product Data for each type of product specified.

                B.  Shop drawings showing Welding, Fabrication and Installation of handrails including all plans,

                      typical elevations, sections, details of components, and attachment to other units of work.

                      1.  Where installed products are indicated to comply with certain design loadings, include

                            structural computations, material properties and other information needed for structural

                            analysis review by the design architect and/or engineer of record.

                      2.  Submit 6 prints of all shop drawing product data.  Also submit calculations if specifically

                           requested by architect.

                 C.  Sample for initial selection purposes in the form of manufacturers color chart showing full

                       range of colors available from factories standards:  Or for custom color request minimum

                       2” x 2” color chip from customer for color matching purposes.  Then submit at least 2 chips

                       of color match for approval by architect or owner.

                D.  Submit at least 2”-6” long samples of the top rail when its shape is other than standard rounds,

                       squares or rectangles and when specifically requested by architect.

1.05         QUALITY ASSURANCE

                A.  Single Source Responsibility:  Obtain handrails and railing systems from a single fabricator/

                      manufacturer.

                B.  Engineering Responsibility:  Engineer handrailing and railing systems by the fabricator/

                      manufacturer unless sizes and configurations are specifically called out on arch./engr. drawings.

1.06         STORAGE

                A.  Store handrails and railing systems in clean, dry location, away from uncured concrete and

                      masonry, protected against damage.

1.07         PROJECT CONDITIONS

                A.  Field Measurements:  Where handrails and railings are indicated to fit to other construction,

                      check actual dimensions of other construction by accurate field measurements before fabrication;

                      show recorded measurements on final shop drawings.  Coordinate fabrication schedule with

                      construction progress to avoid delay of work.

                     1.  Where field measurements cannot be made without delaying the Work, obtain guaranteed

                          dimensions in writing and proceed with fabrication of products without field measurements

                           if specifically requested to do so by architect, owner or contractor.

2.00         PRODUCTS

2.01         MANUFACTURERS/FABRICATORS

                A.  Acceptable Manufacturers:  Products specified as a standard of quality are fabricated by

                      POMA CONSTRUCTION CORP.

                      2049 S. W. Poma Drive

                      Palm City, FL  33490

                      TEL:  772-283-0099    FAX:  772-283-7540

2.02         METALS

                A.  Aluminum:  Alloy and temper recommended by aluminum producer and finisher for type of use

                      and finish indicated, with not less than the strength and durability properties of the alloy

                      and temper designated below for each aluminum form required.

                      1.  Structural extrusions such as posts shall be 6061-T6 or 6005-T5 Alloy/Temper.

                      2.  All other extrusions such as Caps, Pickets, Mid and Bottom Rails shall be at least 6063-T5.

                      3.  Castings:  To be high quality prime material or materials remelted from prime extrusion.

2.03         GROUT AND ANCHORING CEMENT

                A.  Nonshrink, Nonmetallic Grout:  Premixed, factory-packaged, nonstaining, noncorrosive,

                      nongaseous grout complying with CE CRD-C 621.  Provide grout specifically recommended

                      by manufacturer for interior and exterior applications of type specified in this Section.

                B.  Erosion-Resistant Anchoring Cement:  Factory-prepackaged, nonshrink, nonstaining high

                      strength cement formulation for mixing with water at Project site to create pourable

                      anchoring, patching, and grouting compound.  Provide formulation that is resistant to

                      erosion from water exposure or provide a sealer or waterproof coating recommended for

                      exterior use by manufacturer to be applied by the installer or other qualified contractor

                      or subcontractor.

2.04         WELDING MATERIALS, FASTENERS AND ANCHORS

                A.  Welding Electrodes and Filler/Metal:  Provide type and alloy of filler metal and electrodes as

                       recommended by producer of metal to be welded and as required for color match, strength,

                       and compatibility in fabricated items.

                B.  Fasteners for Anchoring Railings to Other Construction:  Select fasteners of the type, grade,

                      and class required to produce connections that are suitable for anchoring railing to other

                      types of  construction indicated and capable of withstanding design loadings.

                      1.  For aluminum railings in coastal environments provide fasteners fabricated from

                           stainless steel or aluminum only.

                C.  Fasteners for Interconnecting Railing Components:  Use fasteners of same basic metal as the

                      fastened metal, unless otherwise indicated.  Do not use metals that are corrosive or incom-

                      patible with materials joined.

2.05         FABRICATION

                A.  General:  Fabricate handrails and railing systems to comply with requirements indicated

                      for design, dimensions, details, finish and member sizes, including wall thickness of hollow

                      members, post spacings, and anchorage, but not less than those required to support

                      structural loads.

                B.  Preassemble railing systems in shop to greatest extent possible to minimize field splicing

                      and assembly.  Disassemble units only as necessary for shipping and handling limitations.

                      Clearly mark units for field assembly and coordinated installation.  Use connections that

                      maintain structural value of joined pieces.

                C.  Assembly shall be in a neat workmanlike manner using M.I.G. or T.I.G. Welding Processes

                      as required.  Horizontal Channels shall be punched to receive pickets and welds in this

                      Application shall be concealed from view.

                     1.  Channels to receive a snap cover only when specifically required and noted on drawings.

                     2.  All Posts shall be structurally welded to top rail and mid and lower horizontal members

                          to assure fixed fastening for the life of the rail.

                     3.  Corners shall be hairline fitted by mitre and further welded as required to obtain maximum

                          assurance of strength through the railing’s useful life.

                     4.  All splices shall be accomplished by butting one top rail to the next with a structural sleeve

                          insert extending from one top rail to the next and further secured by means of a stainless

                          steel, aluminum or other proper screw or pop-rivet.

                          Note:  Butt splices to be either hairline fitted or properly gapped to provide for proper

                          expansion and contraction movement.  For expansion joints be sure that only one side of the

                          sleeve insert is fastened to the top tail.

                     5.  End connections required to fasten to the building structure require either a welded end clip

                          or a separate side clip.

                     6.  Provide weep holes when necessary to drain closed sections from pretreatment immersion

                          and sprays also for moisture from condensation to escape.

2.06         ALUMINUM FINISHES

                A.  All aluminum railings to receive a baked-on painted finish over full pretreatment except when

                      specified to be natural or mill finish or when anodizing is specified.  Note:  Anodizing is not

                      recommended for welded railings due to the likelihood or discoloration from:  1. Dissimilar

                      alloys  2. Dissimilar tempers  3. Oxidation  4. Welding Filler Metals  5. Weld heat zones 

                      6. Marring caused during fabrication and handling.

                B.  Pretreatment Process:  A multi-stage pretreatment process is required prior to shop painting.

                     1.  The railing shall be dipped or sprayed in a concentrated acidic cleaner, then rinsed in clear

                         water.  This process provides cleaning, degreasing and deep etching on the surface.

                     2.  The product shall then be dipped or sprayed in a concentrated acidic treatment to deoxidize,

                          desmut and neutralize the surface, then rinsed in clear water.

                     3.  The product shall be then dipped or sprayed in an acidic conversion coating to act as a bonding

                          coating for paint adhesion.

                     4.  The product must be completely dried before painting.

                C.  Painting – (choose one)

                     1.  E.S.P. applied high performance Coastal Super-Durable thermosetting resin over pretreatment bond                           coating.

                          Paint to be 1.5-3 mills.  Paint shall be baked on at 400 degrees for minimum duration of 10

                          minutes.  Paint to be SPRAYLAT, Rohm and Haas, or equal.  Note:  Powder

                          coating available in Poma Construction Corp. Standard colors and manufacturers standard colors. 

                          Color
matches will be done with high solid polyester liquid paint.

                          System meets AAMA 2604 specifications and has a 5 year durability rating.

                    2.  E.S.P. applied high performance fluropolymer thermosetting resin over pretreatment bond coating.

                          Paint to be 1.5-3 mills.  Paint shall be baked on at 400 degrees for min. duration of 15

                          minutes  Paint to be SPRAYLAT POWDER COATINGS’ NEWLAR or equal.  Note:  Powder

                          coating available in Poma Construction Corp. Standard colors & manufacturers standard colors                            only.

                          Color matches will be done with high solid polyester liquid paint.  SPRAYLAT POWDER

                          COATINGS’ NEWLAR System meets AAMA 2605 specifications and has a 15 year durability

                          Rating.

                          Note:  Poma Construction Corp. recommends using the

                                     Coastal High Performance Fluoro Polymer Thermo Setting Resin System if the

                                     product will be located within (one) mile of any corrosive environment.  If requested,

                                     five, ten and fifteen year warranties are obtainable through additional charges.  Custom

                                     colors are also available.

3.00         EXECUTION

3.01         PREPARATION

                A. Coordinate setting drawings, diagrams, templates, instructions and directions for installation

                     of anchorages, such as sleeves, concrete inserts, anchor bolts and miscellaneous items having

                     integral anchors, that are to be embedded in concrete as masonry construction.  Coordinate

                     delivery of such items to project site.  

3.02         INSTALLATION GENERAL

                A.  Fit exposed connections accurately together to form tight, hairline joints, except as required for

                      expansion.

                B.  Cutting, Fitting and Placement:  Perform cutting, drilling, and fitting required for installation of

                      handrails and railings.  Set handrails and railings accurately in location, alignment and elevation,

                      measured from established lines and levels and free from rack.

                     1.  Set posts plumb within a tolerance of 1/16” to 12”.

                     2.  Align rails so that variations from level for horizontal members and from parallel with rake of

                          steps and ramps for sloping members do not exceed 1/32” in 12”.

                C.  Corrosion Protection:  Coat concealed surfaces of aluminum that will come into contact with

                      grout, concrete, masonry, wood or dissimilar metals with a heavy coat of paint or epoxy.

                D.  Fastening to In-Place Construction:  Provide anchorage devices and fasteners where

                      necessary for securing handrails and railings to in-place construction.

3.03         ANCHORING POSTS

                A.  Anchor post in concrete by means of preset sleeves into concrete.  After posts have been inserted

                      into sleeves, fill space between post and sleeve solid with the following anchoring material,

                      mixed and placed to comply with anchoring material manufacturer’s directions.

                B.  Anchor posts in concrete by core drilling holes not less than 3” deep and 1” greater than

                      outside diameter of post.  Clean holes of all loose material, insert posts and fill space between

                      post and concrete with the following anchoring material, mixed and placed to comply with

                      anchoring material manufacturer’s directions.

                      1.  Nonshrink, nonmetallic grout.

                      2.  Nonshrink, nonmetallic grout or anchoring cement.

                C.  Leave anchoring material down approximately ½” to allow for final topping with a water-

                      proof material matching the surrounding areas by others.  Whenever possible fill hole with

                      waterproof topping slightly higher than the adjacent surfaces and taper away from the post.

                D.  Anchoring Poma Stainless Steel Insert in concrete by means of hammer drilling or core

                      drilling a 1 ½” diameter hole, not less than three inches deep.  Clean holes of any loose

                      material, place aluminum handrail with stainless steel pin in hole and fill space with high

                      strength epoxy, mixed and placed to comply with anchoring material manufacturer’s

                      directions.

                      Note:  Recommended method of installation of railings for any high rise structure, and, more

                               importantly, all structures located near or within a corrosive environment.

3.04         CLEANING, PROTECTION AND TOUCH-UP PAINTING

                A.  On delivery all railing will have protective cover over cap only.  Immediately upon completion

                      of installation of railing installer shall remove cap cover and clean all work for inspection and

                      approval.

                B.  After installation the General Contractor or Owner shall be responsible for protecting the

                      railings during the balance of construction.

                C.  Painted aluminum surfaces shall be cleaned with plain water containing a mild soap or

                      detergent.  No abrasive agents or harsh chemicals are to be used.

                      Note:  All railings require periodic maintenance.  All railing surfaces require periodic

                                 washings especially those subject to ocean salt air or harmful chemical environments.

                                 Waxing after washing is recommended.

 

 

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