How to Make Sure Your Guard Rail Fits
A complete guide to specifying guardrails
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Will the guard rail fit in my space?
Let's check an example with 48" of available space on the floor
for a guardrail installation. The key thing to understand is that a 4'
rail won't fit in 48" due to its large 10"x10" footplates. Here's how to calculate
it:
- Measure the exact length of the area you need to cover.
In this case it's 48".
- Guardrails are measured from post centers, not rail length. They have
4" posts and 10" x 10"
footplates for impact resistance, which means your 48" of space will not
accomodate a 4' rail.
- Use the largest rail size smaller than your defined area. (Steel Guard comes in 1' increments),
which is a 3' rail. Rails are actually 4" short of their listed length
since Steel Guard is measured center to center of posts.
- Now, add your rail size to 10" (for the footplates) on both ends. The
length of
your guard rail is actually center-to-center listed length plus 10", from
the outer edge of each foot
plate.
- This rail will cover 48". It's 46" total, which will comfortably guard the 48" space you
need.
To simplify it, take your needed coverage space, subtract 10" and use the
rail size less than that. This should be accurate most every time. Your floor should be level (can be shimmed if not in most circumstances)
and capable of accepting anchor bolts.
What should I know about posts?
You should use the fewest posts possible in your guardrail set up—most of the time.
The maximum span is 10' between posts.
Installing posts closer together provides more impact resistance,
but 10' is extremely strong for most applications. More posts to cover the
same area will obviously be more expensive, so you have to take that into
account.
- Post placement: Cover the span with
post spacing that is consistent as possible. This
provides uniform protection and is also more
aesthetically pleasing.
- Post Specs: 4" x 4" square with 10" x 10" footplates.
- Heights: Double rails are 42-5/8” tall. Single rails: 18-5/8” tall.
- Preconfigured solutions: The guardrails on Cisco-Eagle.com are listed as
components so you can build your desired solution, but also in
starter/adders, wo you can marry a 10' starter with a 5' adder to cover 15'
if desired, with ease. These can turn corners or install in a straight line. Posts are drilled on all sides so you can use them as starters or adders,
in centers or corners.
- Should I use double or single high? Double rails are
42" high and prevent people from stepping over them if you are using the
system as impact protection and traffic management. Sometimes forklifts can
still hit something behind a single high rail in the wrong circumstances. In
areas where you are protecting critical machinery, expensive inventory or
work cells, you should also specify double high.
You can create most any shape using Steel King posts and rails (u-shapes,
corrals, etc).
Rails and sizes
Rails are available in 1' increments, up to 10'. They're built to easily
swap and replace as needed.
- Design: 3-ribbed, corrugated, 11-gauge steel, 14" high x 2.5" deep
- Lift-out rails available for occasional access to protected areas. Ideal
for machine guarding where service may be needed, or maintenance of a work
cell that might require a scissor lift, carts, tuggers or forklifts.
- Options: You can put gates in the midst of a guardrail
run as well.
Our new Guard Rail Guide offers you insights on the various options that we offer, as well as handy comparisons of rigid and flexible systems. We also help you understand how guard rail impact ratings are calculated and used, so you have the knowledge to make the right selection for your facility.
See our exclusive
guardrail layout tool for layout assistance, parts
lists and more.