Ontario Building Code (OBC) Guard Requirements - Engineering Letter Summary
This page summarizes a stamped engineering letter prepared for PrimeAlux regarding the use of aluminum slats with PU foam core as a guard/rail application. The letter references specific Ontario Building Code (OBC) guard clauses and summarizes supporting test information (load and wind resistance) provided by the client.
What the engineering letter covers
The letter describes an OBC compliance review for a deck guard concept and includes design recommendations related to:
-
safety and structural integrity
-
climbability considerations
-
meeting key OBC guard requirements
-
supporting test information (load and wind resistance)
OBC guard clauses referenced
-
Guard height requirement (42 inches / 1,070 mm) for platforms over 1.8 m
-
Openings must prevent passage of a 100 mm sphere
-
Prohibition of climbable guard configurations
-
Resistance to specified horizontal and concentrated loads
Test information referenced
1) Vertical rail loading (handrail loading simulation)
A rail was tested under vertical loading over a 6' × 6' panel using a hydraulic piston. The letter reports a maximum vertical load result and states this meets OBC vertical load requirements for handrail applications.
2) Horizontal slat load testing (distributed loads)
The letter summarizes distributed-load testing of panels with reinforced slats (H+ profile) across 6', 5', and 4' widths and provides reported maximum load capacity ranges by slat size.
3) Wind load testing (distributed sandbag load on panel)
The letter describes wind resistance testing on a 6' × 6' aluminum privacy panel using distributed sandbag loads, reports a maximum wind velocity resistance figure, and provides an equivalent pressure approximation.
Recommended configurations
Preferred option — Vertical orientation
Vertical slats spaced 89 mm (3.5″) apart
Reinforced with H+ profiles
Stated advantage: eliminates climbability concerns and offers aesthetic flexibility
Alternative option — Horizontal slats without gaps
Continuous horizontal slats without spacing
Reinforced with H+ profiles
Stated advantage: mitigates climbability concerns by removing spacing