4.1.5.14.Loads on Guards and Handrails (See Note A-4.1.5.14. and A-4.1.5.15.(1))

(1) The minimum horizontal specified live load applied outward at the minimum required height of every required guard shall be (a) 3.0 kN/m for open viewing stands without fixed seats and for means of egress in grandstands, stadia, bleachers and arenas, (b) 1.0 kN applied at any point, so as to produce the most critical effect, for access ways to equipment platforms, contiguous stairs and similar areas where the gathering of many people is improbable, and (c) 0.75 kN/m or 1.0 kN applied at any point so as to produce the most critical effect, whichever governs for locations other than those described in Clauses (a) and (b). (2) The minimum horizontal specified live load applied inward at the minimum required height of every required guard shall be half that specified in Sentence (1). (3) Individual elements within the guard, including solid panels and pickets, shall be designed for a horizontal specified live load of 0.5 kN applied outward over an area of 100 mm by 100 mm located at any point on the element or elements so as to produce the most critical effect. (4) The size of the opening between any two adjacent vertical elements within a guard shall not exceed the limits required by Part 3 when each of these elements is subjected to a horizontal specified live load of 0.1 kN applied in opposite directions in the in-plane direction of the guard so as to produce the most critical effect. (5) The specified live loads required in Sentence (3) need not be considered to act simultaneously with the loads provided for in Sentences (1), (2), (6) and (7). (6) The minimum specified live load applied vertically at the top of every required guard shall be 1.5 kN/m and need not be considered to act simultaneously with the horizontal specified live load provided for in Sentences (1), (3) and (7). (7) Handrails and their supports shall be designed and constructed to withstand the following minimum specified live loads, which need not be considered to act simultaneously: (a) 0.9 kN applied at any point and in any direction for all handrails, and (b) 0.7 kN/m applied in any direction for handrails not located within dwelling units.