Can handrails be fixed without drilling existing steel?

Yes – WS beam clamps grip the flange and need no drilling or welding.

Which anchors for slab edges?

Usually chemical anchors, which tolerate smaller edge distances; we check them for the barrier load.

Fixing kits & clamps

What it is

A handrail is only as strong as its fixing. WS fixing kits match each stanchion base to the surface it sits on: mechanical or chemical anchors for concrete, bolt sets for new steel, and clamps that grip existing beam flanges without drilling or welding – useful in live plants where hot work is not allowed.

Range

WS-MH-F fixing kits
Code	Kit	For
WS-MH-F1	Mechanical anchor kit (4 anchors)	Concrete slabs and plinths
WS-MH-F2	Chemical anchor kit	Edge distances, cracked concrete
WS-MH-F3	Bolt set M12–M16 8.8	New steel supports
WS-MH-F4	Beam clamp	Existing beam flanges, no drilling
WS-MH-F5	Grating clamp plate	Fixing through grating to support steel

Design and compliance

Anchor type, size and edge distance are selected for the barrier load and the concrete; see our mechanical anchors and chemical anchors. Beam clamps are sized for the flange thickness and the overturning moment at the stanchion base.

Installation and selection

Drill and set anchors to the manufacturer’s installation data and torque.
Fit beam clamps to clean flanges and tighten to the stated torque.
Order the kit per stanchion with the surface and flange or slab details.

Fabrication and finishing at World Steel

Every WS modular handrail component is made in the World Steel plant in Vietnam: tube and bar are cut on saws to the component schedule, stanchions are welded to base plates, brackets or socket spigots on jigs so that rail heights repeat exactly, and fittings are fabricated from heavy-wall tube and plate, drilled and tapped for their locking screws. Welding follows qualified procedures under ISO 3834-2 and the AS/NZS 5131 and EN 1090-2 systems our certifications cover.

Components are then hot-dip galvanized as single pieces – which is only possible because the system is modular – giving full internal and external zinc coverage with no site welds to repair afterwards. A safety-yellow or architectural topcoat can follow. Parts are marked with their WS code, bagged by type and packed by area for export shipping, together with the structural steel or on their own.

Standards and requirements by market

Codes World Steel designs, fabricates and documents this product to – and the key geometric and load requirements in each market.

United States

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.29Fall protection systems – guardrails
ASCE 7Minimum design loads – guard systems
IBCInternational Building Code – guards
ASTM A123Hot-dip galvanized coatings

Top rail height: 42 in ± 3 in (OSHA 1910.29(b))
Rail loads: Top 200 lbf, mid 150 lbf (OSHA 1910.29(b))
Max opening: 19 in (OSHA 1910.29(b))

All United States standards →

Australia / NZ

AS 1657-2018Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders
AS/NZS 1170.1Imposed actions – barrier loads
AS/NZS 5131 WSC certifiedFabrication and erection of structural steelwork
AS/NZS 4680Hot-dip galvanized coatings

Guardrail height: 900–1100 mm (AS 1657)
Toe board: ≥ 100 mm where required (AS 1657)

All Australia & New Zealand standards →

Europe

EN ISO 14122-3Stairs, stepladders and guard-rails
EN 1991-1-1Imposed loads – barriers
EN 1090-2 WSC certifiedExecution of steel structures
EN ISO 1461Hot-dip galvanized coatings

Guard-rail height: ≥ 1100 mm (EN ISO 14122-3)
Rail gaps: ≤ 500 mm (EN ISO 14122-3)
Toe-plate: ≥ 100 mm (EN ISO 14122-3)

All Europe standards →

Summary for orientation only – the project specification, the adopted code edition and the authority having jurisdiction govern.

Finishes

Finish	Standards / notes
Hot-dip galvanized (standard)	ASTM A123 / A153 · AS/NZS 4680 · EN ISO 1461
Duplex – HDG + safety-yellow topcoat	ASTM A123 + topcoat · AS/NZS 4680 + AS/NZS 2312.1 · EN ISO 1461 + EN ISO 12944
HDG + powder coat (architectural colours)	Galvanized, then polyester powder coat for visible public areas