QCS 2014 Section 17: Metalwork Page 2

Part 04: Architectural Metal Work

4 ARCHITECTURAL METAL WORK

4.1 GENERAL

4.1.1 Scope

1 This Part provides specification for miscellaneous types of metal work not included
elsewhere.

2 Related Sections and Parts are as follows:

This Section
Part 1 General
Part 2 Material Types and Finishes
Part 6 Workmanship

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Section 1 General
Section 13 Masonry
Section 16 Structural Metalwork
4.1.2 References
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1 The following standards are referred to in this Part:
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BS 729 ........................Hot dip galvanized coatings on iron and steel artivles

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BS 970 ........................Wrought steels for mechanical and allied engineering purposes

BS 1387 ......................Screwed and socketed steel tubes and tubulars and plain end steel
tubes suitable for welding or for screwing to BS 12 threads
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BS 1471 ......................Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys for general engineering

purposes
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BS 1473 ......................Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys for general engineering

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purposes - forging stock

BS 1474 ......................Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys for general engineering
purposes- bars, extruded round tubes and sections
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BS 1490 ......................Aluminium and aluminium alloy ingots and castings for general
engineering purposes
BS 1615 ......................Method for specifying adonic oxidation coatings for general
engineering purposes
BS 2997 ......................Aluminium rainwater goods
BS 4360 ......................Weldable structural steels
BS 6180 ......................Protective barriers in and about buildings
BS 6323 ......................Seamless and welded steel tubes for automobile, mechanical and
general engineering purposes

4.2 HANDRAILS AND BALUSTERS

4.2.1 General Requirements

1 Protective handrails and balusters shall be 1100 mm high and shall comply with the
provisions of BS 6180 for Building.
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Part 04: Architectural Metal Work

2 Handrails and balusters shall be manufactured from material complying with the relevant
provisions of the appropriate British Standard, as set out in Table 4.1.

Table 4.1
Materials for Handrails and Balusters
Material Handrails Balusters
Solid Tubular Solid Tubular
BS Grade BS Grade BS Grade BS Grade
Mild Steel 4360 43A 1387 - 4360 43A 1387 -
- or or
6323 HFW2 6323 HFW2
Pt 2 Pt 2
-
Stainless 970 Pt 316S3 6323 LW17K 970 Pt 316S3 6323 LW17K
Steel 2 1 Pt 8 M 1 1 Pt 8 M

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Aluminium 1474 6082 1474 6082 1490 LM6 1474 6082
or or
1471 6082
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3 After manufacture, mild steel and aluminium balusters shall be hot dip galvanized or
anodised, as appropriate, in accordance with BS 729 or BS 1615, Grade AA25.
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4.2.2 Expansion
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1 Expansion joints shall be provided in horizontal members where required by design.

2 Expansion joints shall also be provided where the handrail or balustrade coincides with an
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expansion joint in the structure to which it is fixed.

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3 Expansion joints shall be as detailed in the Project Documentation.

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4.2.3 Fitting and Fixing

1 Mortises in concrete or blockwork to receive handrails and balustrades are to be formed as

follows:

(a) with a minimum distance of 50 mm between the outer edge of the mortise and the
outer edge of the concrete of blockwork excluding any finishing materials.
(b) to the same shape as the handrail or balustrades allowing for a minimum clearance all
round of 13 mm, e.g., a 51 mm diameter hole for a 25 mm diameter standard.
(c) to allow a minimum fixed depth of 100 mm in the concrete or blockwork excluding any
finishing material.

2 Mortises are to be thoroughly cleaned and wetted and made good with Class M5 mortar in
accordance with Part 2 of Section 13, well compacted around the member being fixed

3 The handrail or balustrades should be securely located in position, true to line and level until
the fixings have attained full strength.
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Part 04: Architectural Metal Work

4 Handrails and balustrades are not to be fixed to concrete or blockwork by means of screw
fastenings. Drilled bolt anchorages and similar dry fixings may only be used with the
approval of the Engineer and shall comply with the relevant provisions of BS 1473.

5 After installation handrails and balustrades are not to be used as strutting or supports for
other work and shall be wrapped with polythene sheet or similar, securely taped to protect the
finished work until completion.

4.3 DOWNPIPES AND GUTTERS

4.3.1 General Requirements

1 Aluminium rainwater items such as gutters, downpipes and outlets shall comply with the
relevant provisions of BS 2997.

2 Rainwater items made of materials other than aluminium shall be as specified in the Project
Documentation.

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4.4 FINISHES

4.4.1 General Requirements

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1 Finishes for metals covered in this Part shall be as detailed in Part 2 of this Section unless
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described otherwise.
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END OF PART
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