Whether you own an office block in Sydney’s bustling CBD, or you’ve invested in a retail shopping complex in Melbourne, it’s essential to know that the function and form of your design will contribute to your success. This includes must-have mandatory features such as safety barriers.
The most essential of these are the commercial balustrade solutions that can be tailored and customised to suit your specific property needs. Versatile commercial balustrades serve as significantly more than safety barriers. This post takes a closer look at what commercial balustrades are, and why installing them around your commercial decks and pathways is essential.
What are Commercial Balustrades?
In the Australian landscape, commercial balustrades can be defined as specially engineered safety barriers and handrail systems required in public, corporate, and multi-story buildings. In addition to being heavily regulated to prevent falls, these barriers must be installed on any space 1,000 mm or higher off the ground.
These standards also dictate that balustrades must comply with the National Construction Code (NCC) as well as Regulated Australian Standards listed as AS1170, AS1288, and AS1428. For the most part, these regulations dictate that balustrades must be installed in the following areas:
- Balconies and landings with a height of 1,000mm
- Stairs with a height of 865mm and 1,000mm
- Multi-story or high-fall areas with a height of between 150mm and 760mm from the floor to prevent climbing
Modern commercial balustrades can be made from the following materials:
- Frameless or semi-frameless tempered glass (commonly seen in corporate atriums, modern office blocks, and high-end retail spaces)
- Stainless steel or aluminium (used extensively in industrial stairwells and car parks)
- Wire rope (such as in modern coastal hospitality venues)
Many Good Reasons Why Commercial Balustrades are Always a Good Idea
If you’ve been planning an open-plan design for your retail store or office park, there are several good reasons why this won’t be a good idea. Our team of installers have compiled a list of the reasons why investing in the right commercial balustrades is not just a nice-to-have, but a necessity.
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Installation is Mandatory
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Offers Risk and Safety Mitigation
Contributes to Higher Rental Yields
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Quality Products Ensure Ease of Maintenance
Final Thoughts
Investing in quality, professionally installed commercial balustrades is about a lot more than just ticking off a checklist driven by regulated mandates. Opting for these safety barriers is an investment in human safety, architectural excellence, and operational efficiency. In addition to this, selecting premium, Australian Standards-compliant balustrades will give property owners secure peace of mind while creating beautiful, durable, and highly marketable spaces.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
