Description

Designing and constructing barriers inside a house begins with designers assessing any site-specific risks. The following guidance will help ensure safe barriers in houses, protecting all users but especially children.

Many residential buildings built in New Zealand must have protective barriers to prevent a person from falling or to retain, stop or guide someone.

These are required to meet the performance criteria prescribed in Building Code clauses B1 Structure, B2 Durability, D1 Access routes, E2 External moisture, F2 Hazardous building materials and F4 Safety from falling. Not all of these will apply for every barrier installation.

Scope

This article includes the following parts:

• Designers must evaluate risks for each situation
• Minimum barrier heights vary
• Stop falling or children climbing over
• Working out barrier design loadings
  • Design loadings
  • Choose the right occupancy classification
  • Useful reference document to help
  • Remember the supporting structure
• Fixings and connections
• Compliance documentation
• Leave details for ongoing maintenance