SECTION 05720 ALUMINUM HANDRAILS AND RAILINGS: SAMPLE SPECIFICATION
1.00 GENERAL
1.01 RELATED DOCUMENTS
A. Architectural Drawings, Site Plans, Landscape Drawings
and/or Interior Design Drawings.
1.02 Summary
A. This section includes furnishing and installing all Aluminum
Handrails and Guardrails as indicated on drawings and
includes Miscellaneous Aluminum Handrails and Guardrails
not included in other sections of these specifications, such
as Aluminum Pipe Railing Systems, Ornamental Railing
Systems, Glass Railing Systems.
1.03 System performance requirements
A. General: In engineering handrail and railing systems to
withstand structural loads indicated determine allowable
design working stresses of railing materials based on the
following:
1. For Aluminum: The Aluminum Association's
specification for Aluminum Structures
B. Structural Performance of Handrails and Railing Systems:
Engineer, fabricate, and install handrails and railing systems to
withstand the following structural loads without exceeding the
allowable design working stress of the materials for handrails,
railing systems, anchors, and connections. Apply each load to
produce the maximum stress in each of the respective
components comprising handrails and railing systems.
1. Top Rail of Guardrail Systems: Capable of withstanding
the following loads applied as indicated:
a. Concentrated load of 200 lb applied at any point and in
any direction.
b. Uniform load of 50 lb per linear ft. applied horizontally
and concurrently with uniform load of 100 lb per linear
ft. applied vertically downward.
c. Concentrated load need not be assumed to act
concurrently with uniform loads.
2. Handrails Not Serving as Top Rails: Capable of
withstanding the following loads applied as indicated:
a. Concentrated load of 200 lb applied at any point and in any direction.
b. Uniform load of 50 lb per linear ft. applied in any direction
c. Concentrated and uniform loads need not be assumed to act
concurrently.
3. Infill Area of Guardrail Systems: Capable of withstanding a
horizontal concentrated load of 200 lb applied to one
sq. ft. at any point in the system.
a. Above load need not be assumed to act concurrently
with loads on top rails of railing systems in determining
stress on guard.
 
C. Control of Corrosion: Prevent galvanic action and other forms
of corrosion by insulating metals and other materials from direct
contact with incompatible materials.
D. Thermal Movements: Allow for thermal movement resulting
from the following maximum change (range) in ambient
temperature in the design, fabrication, and installation of
handrails and railings to prevent buckling, opening up of joints,
overstressing of components, connections and other detrimental
effects. Base design calculation on actual surface temperatures
of materials due to both solar heat gain and nighttime sky
heat loss.
1. Temperature Change (Range): 100 deg F ambient;
150 deg F material surfaces.
1.04 SUBMITTALS
A. Product Data for each type of product specified.
B. Shop drawings showing Welding, Fabrication and Installation of
handrails including all plans, typical elevations, sections, details
of components, and attachment to other units of work.
1. Where installed products are indicated to comply with
certain design loadings, include structural computations,
material properties and other information needed for
structural analysis review by the design architect and/or
engineer of record.
2. Submit 6 prints of all shop drawing product data. Also
submit calculations if specifically requested by architect.
C. Samples for initial selection purposes in the form of
manufacturers color chart showing full range of colors available
from factories standards: Or for custom color request minimum
2" x 2" color chip from customer for color matching purposes.
Then submit at least 2 chips of color match for approval by
architect or owner.
D. Submit at least 2 - 6" long samples of the top rail when its
shape is other than standard rounds, squares or rectangles and
when specifically requested by architect.
1.05 Quality assurance
A. Single Source Responsibility: Obtain handrails and railing
systems from a single fabricator/manufacturer.
B. Engineering Responsibility: Engineer handrailing and railing
systems by the fabricator/manufacturer unless sizes and
configurations are specifically called out on architectural/engineering. drawings.
1.06 Storage
A. Store handrails and railing systems in clean, dry location, away
from uncured concrete and masonry, protected against damage.
 
1.07 Project conditions
A. Field Measurements: Where handrails and railings are indicated
to fit to other construction, check actual dimensions of other
construction by accurate field measurements before fabrication;
show recorded measurements on final shop drawings.
Coordinate fabrication schedule with construction progress to
avoid delay of Work.
1. Where field measurements cannot be made without
delaying the Work, obtain guaranteed dimensions in writing
and proceed with fabrication of products without field
measurements if specifically requested to do so by
architect, owner or contractor.
2.00 Products
2.01 Manufacturers/fabricators
A. Acceptable Manufacturers: Products specified as a standard of
quality are fabricated by
White Aluminum Fabrication, Inc.
3195 SE Lionel Terrace
Stuart, FL 34997
Telephone 772-219-3245
2.02 Metals
A. Aluminum: Alloy and temper recommended by aluminum
producer and finisher for type of use and finish indicated, with
not less than the strength and durability properties of the alloy
and temper designated below for each aluminum form required:
1. Structural extrusions such as posts shall be 6061-T6 or
6005-T5 Alloy/Temper.
2. All other extrusions such as Caps, Pickets, Mid and Bottom
Rails shall be at least 6063-T5.
3. Castings: To be high quality prime material or materials
remelted from prime extrusion
2.03 Grout and anchoring cement
A. Nonshrink, Nonmetallic Grout: Premixed, factory-packaged,
nonstaining, noncorrosive, nongaseous grout complying with
CE CRD-C 621. Provide grout specifically recommended by
manufacturer for interior and exterior applications of type
specified in this Section.
B. Erosion-Resistant Anchoring Cement: Factory-prepackaged,
nonshrink, nonstaining, high strength cement formulation
for mixing with water at Project site to create pourable
anchoring, patching, and grouting compound. Provide
formulation that is resistant to erosion from water exposure or
provide a sealer or waterproof coating recommended for exterior
use by manufacturer to be applied by the installer or other
qualified contractor or subcontractor.
 
2.04 WELDING MATERIALS, FASTENERS, AND ANCHORS
A. Welding Electrodes and Filler/Metal: Provide type and alloy of
filler metal and electrodes as recommended by producer of
metal to be welded and as required for color match, strength,
and compatibility in fabricated items.
B. Fasteners for Anchoring Railings to Other Construction: Select
fasteners of the type, grade, and class required to produce
connections that are suitable for anchoring railing to other types
of construction indicated and capable of withstanding design loadings.
1. For aluminum railings in coastal environments provide
fasteners fabricated from stainless steel or aluminum only.
C. Fasteners for Interconnecting Railing Components: Use
fasteners of same basic metal as the fastened metal, unless
otherwise indicated. Do not use metals that are corrosive or
incompatible with materials joined.
2.05 Fabrication
A. General: Fabricate handrails and railing systems to comply
with requirements indicated for design, dimensions, details,
finish, and member sizes, including wall thickness of hollow
members, post spacings, and anchorage, but not less than
those required to support structural loads.
B. Preassemble railing systems in shop to greatest extent possible
to minimize field splicing and assembly. Disassemble units
only as necessary for shipping and handling limitations. Clearly
mark units for field assembly and coordinated installation. Use
connections that maintain structural value of joined pieces.
C. Assembly shall be in a neat workmanlike manner using M.I.G.
or T.I.G. Welding Processes as required. Horizontal Channels
shall be punched to receive pickets and welds in this application
shall be concealed from view.
1. Channels to receive a snap cover only when specifically
required and noted on drawings.
2. All Posts shall be structurally welded to Top Rail and Mid
and Lower Horizontal Members to assure fixed fastening
for the life of the rail.
3. Corners shall be hairline fitted by mitre and further welded
as required to obtain maximum assurance of strength
through the railing's useful life.
4. All splices shall be accomplished by butting one Top Rail to
the next with a structural sleeve insert extending from one
Top Rail to the next and further secured by means of a
Stainless Steel, Aluminum or other proper screw or pop-rivet.
Note: Butt splices to be either hairline fitted or properly gapped
to provide for proper expansion and contraction movement. For
expansion joints be sure that only one side of the sleeve insert
is fastened to the top rail.
5. End connections required to fasten to the building structure
require either a welded end clip or a separate slide clip.
6. Provide weep holes when necessary to drain closed
sections from pretreatment immersion and sprays also for
moisture from condensation to escape.
 
2.06 Aluminum finishes
A. All aluminum railings to receive a baked-on painted finish over
full pretreatment except when specified to be natural or mill
finish or when anodizing is specified. Note: Anodizing is not
recommended for welded railings due to the likelihood of
discoloration from: 1. Dissimilar alloys 2. Dissimilar tempers
3. Oxidation 4. Welding Filler Metals 5. Weld heat zones
6. Marring caused during fabrication and handling
B. Pretreatment Process: A multi-stage pretreatment process is
required prior to shop painting.
1. The railing shall be dipped or sprayed in a concentrated
alkaline cleaner then rinsed in clear water. This process
provides cleaning, degreasing and deep etching on the
surface.
2. The product shall then be dipped or sprayed in a
concentrated acidic treatment to deoxidize, desmut and
neutralize the surface then rinsed in clear water.
3. The product shall then be dipped or sprayed in an acidic
conversion coating to act as a bonding coating for paint
adhesion.
4. The product must be completely dried before painting.
C. Painting 
E.S.P. applied thermosetting T.G.I.C. polyester powder paint over
pretreatment bond coating. Paint to be 1.5 to 2.0 mills. D.F.T. Paint shall
be baked on at approx. 400° F for a minimum of 10 minutes duration. 
Specification.
3.00 Execution
3.01 Preparation
A. Coordinate setting drawings, diagrams, templates, instructions,
and directions for installation of anchorages, such as sleeves,
concrete inserts, anchor bolts, and miscellaneous items having
integral anchors, that are to be embedded in concrete as
masonry construction. Coordinate delivery of such items to
project site.
 
3.02 Installation general
A. Fit exposed connections accurately together to form tight,
hairline joints, except as required for expansion.
B. Cutting, Fitting, and Placement: Perform cutting, drilling, and
fitting required for installation of handrails and railings. Set
handrails and railings accurately in location, alignment, and
elevation, measured from established lines and levels and free
from rack.
1. Set posts plumb within a tolerance of 1/16" to 12".
2. Align rails so that variations from level for horizontal
members and from parallel with rake of steps and ramps for
sloping members do not exceed 1/32" in 12".
C. Corrosion Protection: Coat concealed surfaces of aluminum
that will come into contact with grout, concrete, masonry, wood,
or dissimilar metals with a heavy coat of paint or epoxy.
D. Fastening to In-Place Construction: Provide anchorage devices
and fasteners where necessary for securing handrails and
railings to in-place construction.
3.03 Anchoring posts
A. Anchor post in concrete by means of preset sleeves into
concrete. After posts have been inserted into sleeves, fill
space between post and sleeve solid with the following anchoring
material, mixed and placed to comply with anchoring material
manufacturer's directions.
B. Anchor posts in concrete by core drilling holes not less that 3"
deep and 1" greater than outside diameter of post. Clean
holes of all loose material, insert posts, and fill space between
post and concrete with the following anchoring material, mixed
and placed to comply with anchoring material manufacturer's
directions.
1. Nonshrink, nonmetallic grout.
2. Nonshrink, nonmetallic grout or anchoring cement.
C. Leave anchoring material down approximately 1/2" to allow for
final topping with a waterproof material matching the
surrounding areas by others. Whenever possible fill hole with
waterproof topping slightly higher than the adjacent surfaces
and taper and taperaway from the post.
3.04 Cleaning, protection and touch-up painting
A. On delivery all railing will have protective cover over cap only.
Immediately upon completion of installation of railing installer
shall remove cap cover and clean all work for inspection and
approval.
B. After installation the General Contractor or Owner shall be
responsible for protecting the railings during the balance of
construction.
C. Painted aluminum surfaces shall be cleaned with plain water
containing a mild soap or detergent. No abrasive agents or
harsh chemicals are to be used.
Note: All railings require periodic maintenance. All railing surfaces
require periodic washing especially those subject to ocean salt air
or harmful chemical environments. Waxing after washing is
recommended.
END OF SECTION