Clamp-style handrails have a surprising number of uses in various environments. While primarily a stair rail or safety device on high platforms, mezzanines and staircases, they also make ideal barricades in other areas to keep employees and customers safe. In this article, we’ll explore nine innovative applications that showcase the adaptability of clamp-style railing in both industrial and non-industrial settings.
Global Industrial clamps are made from corrosion-resistant galvanised materials, providing durability in both indoor and outdoor applications.
About Global Industrial Clamp-style Handrails:
A clamp-style handrail arrangement has four main components: footplates, upright posts, horizontal pipes, and clamps.
Footplates are affixed to the ground and hold the upright post (HRC251-48, HRC132-48, HRC169-48).
Upright Posts are 1000mm high as standard and can be fitted to the footplates. Our modular handrails are highly adaptable, allowing for multi-directional lines, straight runs, 90° corners, end posts, and gate posts.
Horizontal Pipes are used to create the handrail and knee rails. Most commonly spaced apart 2000mm centres, and joined together with clamps to make a simple but strong join without the need for welding.
Clamps make installing or removing handrails easy. Our designs use recessed Allen key bolts to affix them in place.
Some of the most commonly used clamps include the long T (HRC104-48), Knee Cross (HRC119-48), and Short T-Clamp (HRC101-48). The Variable Angle Short T-Clamp (HRC192-48) is used on the rise or fall of a staircase.
Clamps can also be affixed to a wall, rather than a stanchion. (HRC141, HRC142. HRC143, HRC144)
Here are 9 ways Clamp-style Handrails can be used:
1. Industrial Staircases
Clamp-style handrails are most commonly used as handrails for staircases and other potential fall areas in factories and warehouses.
Designed for industrial environments, handrails provide reliable support for workers navigating staircases and elevated platforms. In order to meet Australian Standard AS1657-2018, all stairways and stairway landings must be provided with guardrails on any exposed side (except where there is a fixed structure within 100 mm of it).
2. Guardrail Roof Edge Protection
Maintenance workers and HVAC technicians often find themselves in precarious positions on rooftops. Clamp-style railings adapt seamlessly to various roof types and structures, providing crucial fall protection. Stanchion handrails around, or partly around rooftop HVAC, or rooftop solar on a warehouse can help with safety during maintenance.
The modular nature of clamp-style handrails allows for custom configurations to suit any rooftop layout without compromising accessibility. Workplaces that require regular rooftop access by employees or contractors should consider a full risk assessment of working at heights, and whether a specialist roof safety system may need to be installed.
3. Equipment Safety Rail
Clamp-style railing is often used to enhance safety in high-traffic areas, creating a visual and physical divide between people and potentially dangerous equipment. For example, to separate pedestrian walkways and forklifts in a warehouse or distribution centre.
4. Mezzanine Safety Barriers – Balustrades
Mezzanine floors are an outstanding way to create extra space in your warehouse or factory, though they do require extra precautions to prevent falls. To ensure your mezzanine installations are compliant with Australian safety standards, it must have a kick rail installed along the floor of the mezzanine. the knee rail should not be set higher than 560mm from the ground and the handrail should not have more than a 450mm gap from the knee rail.
“Up & over gates” are commonly used in conjunction with the clamp handrail system on mezzanine floors to safely load and unload pallets from the mezzanine.
5. Trolley Bays
You’re not doing your customers or sales any favours by having discarded shopping trolleys taking up parking bays and blocking footpaths. Create additional bays for disposal and collection with clamp-style handrails designed to withstand the rigours of high-traffic retail environments.
Clamp-style handrails are simple to install at the front of the store, or the car park. Their robust construction ensures that they remain stable and secure, preventing accidents and injuries associated with misplaced trolleys.
6. GastroPubs and Breweries
There’s a saying in design that ‘form follows function’ — aesthetic qualities of a design should emerge from its practical use, ensuring that utility and efficiency take precedence over decorative elements.
In trendy establishments like gastropubs and breweries, clamp-style handrails serve a dual purpose. They form a barrier around brew vats at lower and upper levels while adding an industrial aesthetic that often complements the ‘made right here’ rustic charm often found in production-meets-hospitality venues.
7. Public Venues, Events
You might be surprised to learn that the entertainment industry has embraced clamp-style handrails for their durability and versatility. For venues capturing that industrial chic, they can be used as a fixed crowd control measure, such as where lining up needs to be encouraged at the bar or ticketing office.
These sturdy structures are also ideal for backstage areas, standing up to the wear and tear of roadies rolling heavy equipment cases, and for additional safety above the stage for AV technicians.
8. Retail Spaces and Showrooms
Modern retail design often incorporates multi-level layouts and open concepts. Clamp-style railing creates safe, defined walkways in these environments and fit well with interior design choices – from high-end industrial chic to low-cost wholesale savings. And, yes, at the right height they can work as clothes-hangers!
Available in galvanised or powder-coated yellow, offering a sleek, industrial look that complements contemporary retail spaces.
9. Urban Green Spaces, Playgrounds
Stanchions can be used as barriers along raised paths or parkland bridges which provide necessary safety while blending into the natural environment. Their modular nature allows for easy installation and reconfiguration as park, farm or zoo layouts as pedestrian access evolves.
They’re often used to define safe play areas in playgrounds. While they don’t fulfil the same role as safety fencing to create an enclosure, their robust design ensures they can withstand the energy of excitable children.
From industrial staircases to trendy brewpubs, clamp-style handrails prove their worth across a wide range of applications. Their blend of safety, style, and adaptability makes them an excellent choice for various projects.
Contact Global Industrial to discuss a modular, customisable solution that can be tailored to your specific needs. With easy installation requiring no welding or specialised tools, clamp-style handrails are a cost-effective and efficient choice for any safety barrier project.
