handrail 200 lb force

huangyhg

handrail 200 lb force
osha codes and ibc codes require that handrails can sustain a 200 lb force. one of the codes, but not the other, includes "200 lb force in any direction".
any direction of course includes vertical force. this is easily accomplished by pinning the handrail at the base. how about the situation where want to easily remove a section of the handrail?
which code governs?  
the term "any direction" doesn't mean you pick the direction and that is all you have to do. the rail must be checked for the force in any (and all) direction(s)
i guess i always assumed that was any horizontal direction.
from a practical perspective it should read /all/ directions. incidentally i weigh 240 lb, and can easily support my weight from one hand. last month our yacht heeled over and i was hanging from one hand for 10 seconds.
cheers
greg locock
boze,
if you go with the spirit of the code, you could accomplish your "removable" handrail in one of two ways:
1) pin / bolt / 1/4 turn / removable fasteners ...... this handles the "any direction" but takes effort to remove
2) pipe inside a pipe.......think about this one for a second.  if you have a 2" stub up with the rail post inserted over it, have you accounted for someone falling in an upward manner. no, it would be to easy to displace the rail.  but if you had a 12" stub, it is improbable for someone to fall (or lean) in an upward manner that would slide the rail posts for 12" in an upward direction and so you have met the spirit of the code.
this was a long rambling statement, but was my thought process when i read your post.   
zcp
for industrial removable guard railing sections i use chains with one emd hooked, other end permanently attached.  works & looks great.
pipe in a sleeve can be made secure with a through pin.  very common.
the industry i work in also has the 200lb "any direction" clause.  we were able to use a simple spring detent (stamped) which met the requirement in the vertical direction.  look at mcmaster.com and search for "spring tube connector" for examples.
i think there is a world market for maybe five computers.
thomas watson, chairman of ibm, 1943.
mr locock,
in the old days, that's about 16 stone, if i recall my time is oz correctly.
steve braune
tank industry consultants
we normally used "set screws" to secure the post to the sleeve.
steve: i wish!
cheers
greg locock