3 Different Access Rails For Schools
Access handrails for a school usually need to carefully adhere to Building Regulations, namely Part M. Part M focuses on having adequate provision for easy entry for disabled people and ensuring that all new dwellings are visitable. There are sections within Part M that look at how hallways and rooms are laid out within the building and also for how ramps and rails should be created in order to ensure safe access and egress.
Schools are one such type of public building where having a safe and appropriate means of access is imperative. Any access ramps must be constructed according to the Building Regulations. They must be within the right gradient for a wheelchair user and not too steep, while also having flat/landing areas along their course. Access ramps should also have appropriate handrail in order to provide a safe and secure handhold, but also to protect against exposed edges.
Below are 3 recent school handrail projects which we provided. 2 of these use our Kee Access fittings range to provide offset handrails which suit Part M. The other is a standard Kee Klamp handrail which provided safety barrier and demarcated route within the school grounds.
1. Kilbride National School
Kilbride National School required a Part M style handrail for a number of ramped entries around their building. This rail would be smooth and continuous along its course, as laid out in the Building Regs. It would also terminate appropriately at all handrail end points, with the top and bottom rail being joined together to form a D-return. A D-return provided the turn down required on all disabled access rails. This turn down ensures that there is little change of getting clothes or school bags caught on the rail as children walk by it. It also ensures that a child or adult with visual impairments would be alerted that the rail has come to an end, as their hand would meet the turn down in the rail.
The rails also continued on without interruption around dog-legs and through changes of pitch in the ramps surface. This would guide the user up the ramp without them ever having to take their hand off the rail. This is obviously a bigger benefit to those who may be unsteady on their feet, as it will help them to maintain their balance at all times.
Sloped Kee Klamp Fittings
- Sloped fittings for ramps
- Covers ramp pitches up to 11°
- Strong and durable connection
- Tightened with a simple allen key
- Galvanised to BS EN 1461
2. Drogheda Grammar School
Kee Klamp handrails were installed by our customer in Drogheda National School. A Kee Klamp rail doesn’t meet all Part M conditions for disabled access rails, as it is inline and doesn’t provide a smooth, continuous rail from one end to the other. It does still provide a strong and durable safety rail which will help to protect students and keep them safe.
For this project, the rails were protecting from steep banks along paths between various school buildings. They also ensured provided a safe handrail system outside the school entrances, along ramps and steps. Kee Klamp handrails are slightly quicker to install than Kee Access Part M rails, as they use less handrail fittings and all joints are connected with just an allen key required(a Kee Access handrail requires for the rail itself to be fixed to the fittings using self-tapping screws). Kee Klamp fittings lock up the tube rail within the fitting, using the fittings grub screw.
3. St Marys Special School
St Marys Special School in Delvin caters for kids with mild to severe learning difficulties and required a Part M style handrail which would provide safe access into the school. A quote was requested by a local construction company who would install the rail. We would usually provide a sketch also with any quotes which we provide, as this makes it quite easy to see where all handrail components re located and to assemble the project. The handrail at St Marys was all on flat ground on a concreted section going into the building.
As well as the freestanding rail which would sit on posts which were tightened into the concrete, there would also be another section of fixed handrail, which would be mounted directly onto the wall of the school. This would also meet the same requirements as the freestanding rails, with the ends of the rail turning inwards to the walls and ensuring no sudden rail termination. The wall mounted rail would also be continuous from beginning to end, allowing the user to maintain their grip/balance at all times.
So Why Do So Many People Use Our Handrail Fittings?
- Quick and easy installation - Our handrails are installed by homeowners and tradespeople alike. There are no specialised labour or tools required, usually just a drill with enough power for drilling.
- Strong and durable - Once installed correctly and into a solid surface, our handrails are sure to last the test of time. The tubing is heavy duty galvanised steel and all fittings are galvanised to EN 1461.
- Saving of time and money - Installing a handrail with Kee Klamp fittings is relatively inexpensive compared to some of the other options such as welding. Component based handrails are quick an easy to install, which will ensure significant savings on time and money.
Our team is here to help
Our experts will help you select the items you need to complete the project.
