This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: E935 − 21

Standard Test Methods for

Performance of Permanent Metal Railing Systems and Rails
for Buildings1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E935; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 1.6 These test methods are limited to the application of the
1.1 These test methods cover procedures to be followed in loads described herein.
testing the performance of permanent metal railing systems 1.7 Should computations make it possible to provide the
(guard, stair, and ramp-rail systems), including components needed information, testing can be employed for verification.
such as rails (hand, wall, grab, and transfer rails) and swing
gates or other forms of required guardrail opening protection, 1.8 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
installed in and for agricultural, assembly, commercial, as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
educational, industrial, institutional, recreational, and residen- conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
tial buildings and other structures, such as towers or elevated and are not considered standard.
platforms. 1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.2 These test methods are applicable to such railing sys- safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the

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tems and rails having major structural components made of responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
metal, with their secondary components, including swing gates priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
or other forms of guardrail opening protection, made of metal mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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or other materials such as wood, plastic, and glass. For specific hazard statements, see 11.2.
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.3 These test methods can be used to determine whether
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2
permanent metal railing systems and rails, including
components, comply with requirements of the applicable
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
performance specifications, such as building codes, or perfor- Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ASTM
mance standards such as those described in Specification E935-21
E985,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ANSI/ASSE A1264.1, and OSHA 1910.23.
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1.4 Specifically, these test methods cover procedures for 2. Referenced Documents
determining the static strength of metal railing systems, rails
and components as structural elements when installed and 2.1 ASTM Standards:3
fastened to concrete, masonry, wood, and metal, as well as E4 Practices for Force Calibration and Verification of Test-
related products. ing Machines
E575 Practice for Reporting Data from Structural Tests of
1.5 No consideration is given in these test methods to any Building Constructions, Elements, Connections, and As-
possible deterioration of metal railing systems, rails, and semblies
connections, resulting from adverse environmental conditions. E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
The performance of special tests covering this aspect may be E985 Specification for Permanent Metal Railing Systems
desirable. and Rails for Buildings (Withdrawn 2015)4
E1481 Terminology of Railing Systems and Rails for Build-
ings
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
Performance of Buildings and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.56
on Performance of Railing Systems and Glass for Floors and Stairs.
3
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2021. Published September 2021. Originally For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as E935–13ɛ1. DOI: contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
10.1520/E0935-21. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
2
“Field Testing Device for Railing Systems and Rails,” Journal of Testing and the ASTM website.
4
Evaluation, Vol. 16, No. 6, ID JTE11274J, Online, Available: http://www.astm.org, The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
01 November 1988. www.astm.org.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 E935 − 21
2.2 Other Standards: 5.3 Deflection Measurements—Unless otherwise specified
ANSI/ASSE A1264.1 Safety Requirements for Workplace by the applicable performance specification, dial gages, having
Walking/Working Surfaces and Their Access5 a smallest division of not more than 0.01 in. (0.25 mm), or any
OSHA 1910.23 Guarding floor and wall openings and holes6 suitable measurement devices or calibrated sensors of at least
comparable accuracy and sensitivity shall be used to measure
3. Terminology the horizontal displacements of the top of the railing system or
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these test rail relative to its original location at each loading point prior
methods, see Terminology E631 and Terminology E1481. to load application. These devices shall have sufficient mea-
surement capability to indicate the displacement throughout the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
test range.
3.2.1 failure—the loss of load carrying capacity or the
inability to meet the required load carrying capacity specified
in the applicable performance standard, depending on the 6. Test Selection
purpose of the test. 6.1 The only tests that need to be performed are those that
3.2.2 guardrail opening protection—swing gates or other are necessary to provide information required by the requesting
form of barrier to prevent unintended egress or fall through party, testing agency, and regulatory body involved or those
guardrail openings. that are specified by, or otherwise required to provide infor-
mation related to, applicable performance specifications.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 These test methods are intended to provide information 7. Installation
from which applicable design and performance data can be 7.1 Install the railing system, rail or component being tested
derived for the performance of metal railing systems and rails in accordance with the manufacturer’s or designer’s specifica-
installed and fastened to structural elements of concrete, tions.
masonry, wood, and metal as well as related products.
4.2 These test methods may be used to determine whether 8. Sampling

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railing systems comply with requirements of the applicable
performance specifications.
8.1 A sampling plan appropriate for the purposes of the test
shall be used.

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4.3 These test methods are intended for use in the buying
and selling of railing systems and components according to
8.1.1 If a sampling plan is specified by the applicable
performance specification, that plan shall be used for compli-
ance testing.
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and manufacturing Preview
performance specifications, for use in product development
research, for use in quality assurance
9. Test Specimens
process control, for use in developing performance standards,
and for use in field and laboratory compliance determination. 9.1 Specimen Definition—The guard and handrail test speci-
Typical floor-mounted railings are shown in Fig. 1.ASTM E935-21 men shall be defined as two vertical posts at maximum
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center-to-center spacing, and all components, and all connec-
5. Apparatus tions used in the guard and handrail system, including the
5.1 Testing Machine—Any testing machine or loading vertical post bases.
device, capable of imposing forces accurate to within 61 % 9.1.1 A guardrail opening protection specimen such as a
when calibrated in accordance with Practices E4, is suitable swing gate shall be defined as a single example of the guardrail
and may be used provided the requirements of specified rate of opening protection, at maximum span if adjustable, all connec-
loading are met. The testing device shall be of sufficient tions used in attachment to the guardrail system, the two
capacity to prevent yielding of its various components and vertical posts that define the opening, and sufficient installation
shall insure that the applied load remains essentially parallel to of the guardrail system to permit installation of the guardrail
the relevant axis of the assembly during testing. opening protection according to the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions with adequate structural support by the guardrail system.
5.2 Test System—Attach the loading device to the assembly
If the purpose of the test is to determine compliance or
by means of pins or a swivel connector to prevent the direct
performance as installed in a specific field example, the span of
transfer of any flexural forces through the connection. Load
the gate should be as in the field installation.
contact points against the test specimen shall be a maximum
width of 2 in. (51 mm), unless otherwise specified by the 9.2 Specimen Assembly—Test specimens may be assembled
applicable performance specification or required for the pur- using the actual post base anchors to be installed to a
pose of the test and applied such that the centerline of the load representative substrate of the completed installation, or test
contact point is located at the position indicated by the test specimens may be assembled using post base anchors consis-
method. tent with the size and location of anchors to be installed in the
completed installation, connected to a rigid support, installed
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according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and as
Available from American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), 520 N.
specified by the applicable performance standard or as required
Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge, IL 60068, http://www.asse.org.
6
Available from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 200 for the purposes of the test. If adhesive anchors are used, cure
Constitution Ave., Washington, DC 20210, http://www.osha.gov/law-regs.html. adhesive according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to

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 E935 − 21

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ASTM E935-21
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FIG. 1 Front Views of Sections of Three Typical Railing Systems