Defect type
Critical · 4–5/5
Climbable Horizontal Members or Excessive Gaps in Balustrade
Compliance/balustrades/standard/1970–2000, 2000–2015, post–2015/timber balustrade, metal balustrade, glass balustrade, cable balustrade
I inspected a balustrade on a deck, balcony, or stair with a drop greater than 1m and found horizontal rails, lattice, or decorative infill a child could foothold, or I measured gaps between vertical members wider than 125mm. When I test the lower portion with a sphere gauge I find climbable surfaces in the zone 150-760mm above finished floor. Reference: NCC 3.9.2.5 (non-climbable zone in effect since 1996). I see this on both post-1996 builds and older homes that were rebalustraded without the rule being considered.
Causes
- Designer or builder unaware of the 1996 non-climbable zone change
- Decorative horizontal-rail balustrade selected for aesthetic reasons
- Vertical balusters set at spacings I could pass a 125mm sphere through
- DIY replacement balustrade using pool-fence or farm-gate style horizontals
- Glass panel balustrade fitted with a climbable bottom rail or mid-rail
Symptoms to look for
- Horizontal top, mid, or bottom rails fall inside the 150-760mm non-climbable zone I measure up from the floor
- Sphere gauge passes between vertical balusters at 125mm
- Decorative lattice, cable, or wire infill providing foothold points for a child
- Planter boxes, seating, or built-ins pushed against the balustrade creating a climb aid
- Bottom rail protrusion sitting inside the non-climbable zone
Remedies
- Replace horizontal-rail infill with vertical balusters at ≤125mm centres
- Retrofit a flush vertical-bar or mesh infill panel over the existing horizontals
- Remove climbable features (lattice, cable rails) within the 150-760mm zone
- Relocate planter boxes and furniture away from the balustrade line
- Engage a licensed builder to redesign the balustrade with NCC 3.9.2.5 in mind
Critical
Get an inspector through this property.
Findings in this category skew high severity. If you are under contract, we can usually book inside the cooling-off window. Every inspection includes 12 months of free advice.
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