COMPLETE REVISION

December 2019

Structural

PIP STF05520
Pipe Guards and Handrails Fabrication Details
 PURPOSE AND USE OF PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES

In an effort to minimize the cost of process industry facilities, this Practice has
been prepared from the technical requirements in the existing standards of major
industrial users, contractors, or standards organizations. By harmonizing these technical
requirements into a single set of Practices, administrative, application, and engineering
costs to both the purchaser and the manufacturer should be reduced. While this Practice
is expected to incorporate the majority of requirements of most users, individual
applications may involve requirements that will be appended to and take precedence over
this Practice. Determinations concerning fitness for purpose and particular matters or
application of the Practice to particular project or engineering situations should not be
made solely on information contained in these materials. The use of trade names from
time to time should not be viewed as an expression of preference but rather recognized
as normal usage in the trade. Other brands having the same specifications are equally
correct and may be substituted for those named. All Practices or guidelines are intended
to be consistent with applicable laws and regulations including OSHA requirements. To
the extent these Practices or guidelines should conflict with OSHA or other applicable
laws or regulations, such laws or regulations must be followed. Consult an appropriate
professional before applying or acting on any material contained in or suggested by the
Practice.

This Practice is subject to revision at any time.

© Process Industry Practices (PIP), Construction Industry Institute, The University of

Texas at Austin, 3925 West Braker Lane (R4500), Austin, Texas 78759. PIP Member
Companies and Subscribers may copy this Practice for their internal use. Changes or
modifications of any kind are not permitted within any PIP Practice without the express
written authorization of PIP. Authorized Users may attach addenda or overlays to clearly
indicate modifications or exceptions to specific sections of PIP Practices. Authorized Users
may provide their clients, suppliers and contractors with copies of the Practice solely for
Authorized Users’ purposes. These purposes include but are not limited to the procurement
process (e.g., as attachments to requests for quotation/ purchase orders or requests for
proposals/contracts) and preparation and issue of design engineering deliverables for use
on a specific project by Authorized User’s client. PIP’s copyright notices must be clearly
indicated and unequivocally incorporated in documents where an Authorized User desires
to provide any third party with copies of the Practice.

PUBLISHING HISTORY
December 1998 Issued January 2017 Technical Correction
August 2003 Technical Revision December 2019 Complete Revision

Not printed with State funds

 COMPLETE REVISION
December 2019

Structural

PIP STF05520
Pipe Guards and Handrails Fabrication Details
Table of Contents
STF05520-14 – Elevations at Rail Obstructions
1. Scope ................................................ 2 STF05520-15 – Guard – Removable Section
STF05520-16 – Guard/Handrail – Corner Details
2. References ....................................... 2 STF05520-17 – Guard/Handrail at Stairs –
2.1 Process Industry Practices ...................... 2 Elevations
STF05520-18 – Guard/Handrail at Stairs – Plan
2.2 Industry Codes and Standards ................ 2
STF05520-19 – Guard/Handrail at Stairs –
2.3 Government Regulations ......................... 2
Section
STF05520-20 – Guard/Handrail at Stairs –
3. Definitions ........................................ 3 Sections
STF05520-21 – Guard/Handrail at Stairs –
4. Requirements ................................... 4 Sections
STF05520-22 – Guard/Handrail at Stairs –
3D PDF of Stair Tower with Typical Pipe Sections
Guard and Handrail Details ............. 6 STF05520-23 – Guard/Handrail at Stairs –
Section
Drawings STF05520-24 – Guard/Handrail at Stairs –
Sections
STF05520-01 – Guard – Elevation
STF05520-25 – Handrail – Field Splice
STF05520-02 – Guard – Section
STF05520-26 – Toe Plates at Stair Tower – Plan
STF05520-03 – Post to Beam Connection Detail
STF05520-27 – Toe Plate – Splice Details
STF05520-04 – Post to Beam Connection Details
STF05520-28 – Handrail – Wall Mounted
STF05520-05 – Post to Beam Connection Details
STF05520-29 – Stile Guard/Handrail – Type 1
STF05520-06 – Post Connections to Concrete
STF05520-30 – Stile Guard/Handrail – Type 2
STF05520-07 – Rails and Toe Plate to Post
STF05520-31 – Stile Guard/Handrail – Type 3
Connection
STF05520-32 – Access Openings at Ladders
STF05520-08 – Guard at Columns – Plans
STF05520-33 – Through Ladder Top Connection
STF05520-09 – Guard at Columns – Detail
to Guard
STF05520-10 – Guard at Columns – Details
STF05520-34 – Ladder to Guard Connection
STF05520-11 – Guard at Columns – Detail
Details
STF05520-12 – Guard at Columns – Details
STF05520-35 – Cage Connection at Elevated
STF05520-13 – Guard – Elevation at Braced Bay
Platform

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PIP STF05520 COMPLETE REVISION
Pipe Guards and Handrails Fabrication Details December 2019

1. Scope
This Practice provides requirements and details for fabrication of pipe guards for walking and
working surfaces and pipe guards with pipe handrails for standard stairs used for access and
egress in industrial facilities.

2. References
Applicable parts of the following Practices and references shall be considered an integral part of
this Practice. The edition in effect on the date of contract award shall be used, except as otherwise
noted. Short titles will be used herein where appropriate.

2.1 Process Industry Practices (PIP)

− PIP STF05501 - Fixed Ladders Fabrication Details
− PIP STF05511 - Standard Stairs Fabrication Details
− PIP STF05530 - Grating Fabrication Details
− PIP STS05120 - Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Fabrication Specification
2.2 Industry Codes and Standards

• American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)

– ANSI/AISC 303-16 - Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
– ASME B16.9 - Factory-Made Wrought Buttwelding Fittings
• ASTM International (ASTM)
– ASTM A36/A36M - Standard Specification for Carbon Structural Steel
– ASTM A53/A53M - Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped,
Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless
– ASTM A307 - Standard Specification for Carbon Steel Bolts, Studs, and Threaded
Rod 60,000 PSI Tensile Strength
– ASTM A500/A500M - Standard Specification for Cold-Formed Welded and
Seamless Carbon Steel Structural Tubing in Rounds and Shapes
2.3 Government Regulations
The following government document has been used as a reference in the development of
this Practice.

• U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) - Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA)
– Regulations 29 CFR 1910 Subpart D - Walking-Working Surfaces - Final Rule
Published in Federal Register, Volume 81, No. 223, on November 18, 2016

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PIP STF05520 COMPLETE REVISION
Pipe Guards and Handrails Fabrication Details December 2019

3. Definitions
contract documents: Any and all documents, including codes, studies, design documents,
specifications, sketches, practices, and data sheets, that purchaser or engineer of record has
transmitted or otherwise communicated, either by incorporation or reference, and made part of the
legal contract agreement or purchase order between purchaser and guard and handrail fabricator

design documents: The design drawings, or where the parties have agreed in the contract
documents to provide digital model(s), the design model. A combination of drawings and digital
models also may be provided.
design drawings: The graphic and pictorial portions of the contract documents showing the
design, location, and dimensions of the work. These documents generally include, but are not
necessarily limited to, plans, elevations, sections, details, schedules, diagrams and notes.
design model: A dimensionally accurate 3D digital model of the structure that conveys the structural
steel requirements given in Section 3.1 of ANSI/AISC 303-16 for the building or structure
engineer of record: Purchaser’s authorized representative with overall authority and
responsibility for engineering design, quality, and performance of civil works, structure,
foundations, materials, and appurtenances described in contract documents. Engineer of record is
licensed as defined by laws of the locality in which the work is to be constructed, and is qualified
to practice in the specialty discipline required for the work described in contract documents.
fabricator: Party responsible for providing fabricated structural and miscellaneous steel including
guards and handrails in accordance with contract documents. The term fabricator applies also to
fabricator’s subcontractor(s) and/or vendor(s).
guard: A vertical protective barrier erected along exposed edges of stairs, balconies, and similar areas
handrail: A bar, pipe, or similar member designed to furnish persons with a handhold
owner: Party who has authority through ownership, lease, or other legal agreement over site,
facility, structure, or project wherein guards and handrails will be used
purchaser: Party who awards contract to fabricator. Purchaser may be owner or owner’s
authorized agent
stairways (stairs): Risers and treads that connect one level with another, and includes any
landings and platforms in between those levels. Stairways include standard, spiral, alternating
tread-type, and ship stairs. In this Practice, when the term “stairs” is used, it is referring only to
“standard stairs.”
standard stairs: A fixed or permanently installed stairway. Ship, spiral, and alternating tread-type
stairs are not considered standard stairs. In this Practice when the term “stairs” is used, it is
referring to “standard stairs.”
stile: A means of access or egress over an obstruction composed of an ascending stair, a top
landing and a descending stair.
toe plate: A low protective barrier that is designed to prevent materials, tools, and equipment
from falling to a lower level, and to protect employees from falling

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PIP STF05520 COMPLETE REVISION
Pipe Guards and Handrails Fabrication Details December 2019

4. Requirements
4.1 Pipe guards and handrails shall be fabricated in accordance with PIP STS05120, this
Practice and fabrication detail drawings STF05520-01 through STF05520-35.
4.2 The project design documents and other contract documents specify the following
information:
a. Location and limits of guards and handrails
b. Location and size of openings in guards for ladder access, equipment, piping, etc.
c. Location of safety gate hinges at openings in guards for ladder access relative to the
orientation of ladder
d. Location and length of removable sections of guards
e. Location of guards in braced bays, if different from that shown on fabrication detail
drawing STF05520-13
f. Toe plate details for checker plate, concrete, or other type floors
g. Details of field modifications of existing guards and handrails
h. Whether plastic inserts at open ends of pipe posts and handrails are required
i. Connection details for any connections not included in details in this Practice
j. Special fabrication details
k. Any modifications to requirements of this Practice
4.3 Unless otherwise specified, pipe guards and handrails shall be fabricated with carbon
steel, round structural tubing (hollow structural sections) in accordance with
ASTM A500/A500M Grade C, HSS 1.900 x 0.145 (1.900 inches (48.3 mm) O.D. x
0.145 inches (3.68 mm) wall thickness) or pipe in accordance with ASTM A53/A53M
Type E or S, Grade B, NPS 1 1/2 STD (1.900 inches (48.3 mm) O.D. x 0.145 inches
(3.68 mm) wall thickness).
4.4 Unless otherwise specified, all other structural shapes, bars, and plates shall be ASTM
A36/A36M steel.
4.5 Metric equivalents for plates, bars, structural shapes, and pipe shall be as specified in
contract documents as applicable.
4.6 Guards and handrails shall be welded construction except as shown in design documents
and/or attached details. All welds shall be continuous and sealed. All joints and welds in
handrails and top rail of guards shall be smooth finished. Guards and handrails shall be
surfaced in a manner to prevent injury from punctures or lacerations and clothing snags.
4.7 Unless otherwise specified, guard and handrail assemblies shall be galvanized after
fabrication in accordance with PIP STS05120.
4.8 Alternative or additional coatings for guards and handrails (e.g., safety yellow paint),
shall be in accordance with contract documents.
4.9 Unless otherwise specified, all bolts required for guard and handrail erection shall be
provided by fabricator. Bolts shall be 5/8-inch (16-mm) ASTM A307 bolts galvanized in
accordance with PIP STS05120.
4.10 A self-closing double-bar safety gate, in accordance with OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910
Subpart D and any other requirements specified in contract documents, shall be provided

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Pipe Guards and Handrails Fabrication Details December 2019

by fabricator at openings in guards for ladder access as shown in design documents. Safety
gates shall be trial fitted in the shop and shipped loose. Unless otherwise specified, swing
gates shall have a minimum required swing angle of 90 degrees.
4.11 Stair stringers and treads shall be in accordance with PIP STF05511 and as specified in
contract documents.
4.12 Fixed ladders and cages shall be in accordance with PIP STF05501 and as specified in
contract documents.

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PIP STF05520 COMPLETE REVISION
Pipe Guards and Handrails Fabrication Details December 2019

3D PDF of Stair Tower with Typical Pipe Guard and Handrail Details
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Process Industry Practices Page 6 of 6