TEST REPORT Rendered to: SENTINEL FENCE AND RAIL For: 120 in by 42 in Fully-Welded Aluminum Guardrail Assembly with Intermediate Support Post Report No: Report Date: 10/23/12 130 Derry Court York, PA 17406-8405 phone: 717-764-7700 fax: 717-764-4129 www.archtest.com
TEST REPORT October 23, 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 General Information... 1 1.1 Product... 1 1.2 Project Description... 1 1.3 Limitations... 1 1.4 Qualifications... 2 1.5 Product Description... 2 1.6 Witnessing... 2 1.7 Conditions of Testing... 2 2.0 Structural Performance Testing of Assembled Railing Systems... 2 2.1 General... 2 2.2 Railing Assembly Description... 3 2.3 Component Descriptions... 3 2.4 Fastening Schedule... 4 2.5 Test Setup... 4 2.6 Test Procedure... 4 2.7 Test Results... 5 2.8 Summary and Conclusions... 8 3.0 Closing Statement... 8 Revision Log... 9 Appendix A Drawings Appendix B Photographs
TEST REPORT Rendered to: SENTINEL FENCE AND RAIL 1527 NC Highway 711 Lumberton, NC 28360 Report No.: Test Date: 09/27/12 Report Date: 10/23/12 1.0 General Information 1.1 Product 120 in by 42 in Fully Welded Aluminum Guardrail Assembly with Intermediate Support Post 1.2 Project Description Architectural Testing was contracted by Sentinel Fence and Rail to perform structural testing on their 120 in wide by 42 in high fully welded aluminum guardrail system with intermediate support post. The system was evaluated for the design load requirements of the following building code: 2012 International Building Code, International Code Council 2012 International Residential Code, International Code Council Structural tests were performed according to Chapter 17 (Structural Tests and Special Inspections) of IBC 2012. 1.3 Limitations All tests performed were to evaluate structural performance of the guardrail assembly to carry and transfer imposed loads to the end support posts. The test specimens evaluated included the balusters, rails, rail brackets, intermediate support post and attachment to the supporting structure. Anchorage of support posts to the supporting structure is not included in the scope of this testing and would need to be evaluated separately. 130 Derry Court York, PA 17406-8405 phone: 717-764-7700 fax: 717-764-4129 www.archtest.com
Page 2 of 9 1.4 Qualifications Architectural Testing has demonstrated compliance with ANS/ISO/IEC Standard 17025 and is consequently accredited as a Testing Laboratory (TL-144) by International Accreditation Service, Inc. 1.5 Product Description The 120 in wide by 42 in high fully welded aluminum guardrail system with intermediate support post railing system is comprised of aluminum rails, balusters, and a intermediate support post produced by an extrusion process. Drawings are included in Appendix A to verify the overall dimensions and other pertinent information of the tested product, its components, and any constructed assemblies. 1.6 Witnessing There were no witnesses from Sentinel Fence and Rail present for testing conducted and reported herein. 1.7 Conditions of Testing Unless otherwise indicated, all testing reported herein was conducted in a laboratory set to maintain temperature in the range of 68 ± 4ºF and humidity in the range of 50 ± 5% RH. 2.0 Structural Performance Testing of Assembled Railing Systems 2.1 General Railing assemblies were tested in a self-contained structural frame designed to accommodate anchorage of a rail assembly and application of the required test loads. The specimen was loaded using an electric winch mounted to a rigid steel test frame. High strength steel cables, nylon straps, and load distribution beams were used to impose test loads on the specimen. Applied load was measured using an electronic load cell located in-line with the loading system. Deflections were measured to the nearest 0.01 in using electronic linear displacement transducers.
Page 3 of 9 2.2 Railing Assembly Description The 120 in wide by 42 in high fully welded aluminum guardrail system with intermediate support post consisted of extruded aluminum top and bottom rails with spaced balusters welded between the rail members and an intermediate support post. The railing systems had an overall top rail length (inside of post to inside of post) of 120-1/2 in with an overall rail height (deck surface to top of top rail) of 42 in. Top and bottom rails attached to treated 4x4 wood posts (Southern Pine) at each end via aluminum sleeve brackets. The top rail was continuous over the intermediate support post and attached to the support post with tack welds. The bottom rail terminated at each side of the intermediate support post and attached to the support post with fillet welds. See Section 2.4 Fastening Schedule for connection details. See drawings in Error! Reference source not found. and photographs in Appendix B for additional details. 2.3 Component Descriptions The scope of testing performed and reported herein was intended to evaluate the 120 in wide by 42 in high fully welded aluminum guardrail system with a support post at midspan consisting of the following components (see Appendix A for drawings). Sentinel Fence and Railing provided the fully-assembled test specimens with the following details: Top Rail: 1-1/2 in high by 2-5/8 in wide contoured 6063-T6 aluminum extrusion with 0.08 in wall Bottom Rail: 1-1/2 in wide by 1 in deep 6063-T6 aluminum inverted U extrusion with 0.115 in wall Pickets (In-Fill): 3/4 in square 6063-T6 aluminum extrusion with 0.09 in wall Top Rail Bracket: 1-3/4 in high by 2-7/8 in wide contoured 6063-T6 aluminum extrusion sleeve bracket with 0.08 in wall. A 1-3/4 in long by 1/8 in thick aluminum angle with a 1 in vertical leg and 7/8 in horizontal leg and (2) 1/4 in diameter holes in the vertical leg was attached to the bottom of the socket bracket with a 5/16 in by 1-3/4 in long fillet weld on the tip of the horizontal leg and a 5/16 in by 7/8 in long fillet weld at one end only of the horizontal leg. Bottom Rail Bracket: 1-1/8 in high by 1-3/4 in wide 6063-T6 aluminum U extrusion with 0.09 in wall. A 1-7/8 in wide by 2 in high by 1/8 in thick aluminum plate with (1) 1/4 in diameter hole was attached to the extrusion with a 3/16 in fillet weld on three sides. Intermediate Support Post: 2 in square by 1/4 in wall hollow aluminum extrusion attached to a 4 in square by 1/4 in thick aluminum base plate with a 5/16 in continuous fillet weld around the perimeter of the post. The base plate had a 5/8 in diameter hole at each corner with the center of the holes located 9/16 in from each face of the plate. The base plate also had a 1/2 in diameter hole directly in the center of the plate. End Post: Preservative treated 4x4 nominal wood post; installed in rigid vertical stanchions See drawings in Appendix A and photographs in Appendix B for additional details.
Page 4 of 9 2.4 Fastening Schedule Connection Fastener Top Rail Bracket to Post 1 Two 1/4" x 3-1/2" hex head lag screws Bottom Rail Bracket to Post 1 Top Rail Bracket to Top Rail 2 Intermediate Post to Test Fixture 1 5/32 in diameter pre-drill in Post 2 9/64 in diameter pre-drill in Rail 2.5 Test Setup One 1/4" x 3-1/2" hex head lag screws One #12-14 x 1-1/2" (0.165 in minor diameter) self-drilling, washer hex-head, carbon steel screw Four 5/16" by 1-1/2 in Grade 5 bolt with nut and washer The 120 in wide by 42 in high guardrail assembly with intermediate support post was installed and tested as a single railing section by directly securing the end posts into a rigid steel stanchions, which rigidly restrained the posts from deflecting. The intermediate support post was attached to a steel channel to simulate connection to concrete. Transducers mounted to an independent reference frame were located to record movement of reference points on the guardrail system components (ends and mid-point) to determine net component deflections. See photographs in Appendix B for individual test setups. 2.6 Test Procedure The test specimen was inspected prior to testing to verify size and general condition of the materials, assembly, and installation. No potentially compromising defects were observed prior to testing. An initial load, not exceeding 50% of design load, was applied and transducers were zeroed. Load was then applied at a steady uniform rate until reaching 2.0 times design load in no less than 10 seconds. After reaching 2.0 times design load, the load was released. After allowing a minimum period of one minute for stabilization, load was reapplied to the initial load level used at the start of the loading procedure, and deflections were recorded and used to analyze recovery. Load was then increased at a steady uniform rate until reaching 2.5 times design load or until failure occurred. The testing time was continually recorded from the application of initial test load until the ultimate test load was reached.
Page 5 of 9 2.7 Test Results Unless otherwise noted, all loads and displacement measurements were normal to the rail (horizontal). The test results apply only to the railing assembly between supports and anchorage to the support. Key to Test Results Tables: Load Level: Target test load Test Load: Actual applied load at the designated load level (target). Elapsed Time (E.T.): The amount of time into the test with zero established at the beginning of the loading procedure. Test Series No. 1 120 in by 42 in Aluminum Guardrail System IBC All Use Groups Test No. 1 09/27/12 Design Load: 50 lb / 1 Square Ft at Center of In-Fill (on Three Pickets) Load Level Test Load (lb) E.T. Displacement (in) (min:sec) End Mid End Net 1 Initial Load 25 00:00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.0x Design Load 103 00:33 0.09 0.22 0.08 0.14 Initial Load 25 01:53 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% Recovery from 2.0 x Design Load 2.5x Design Load 127 02:14 Achieved Load without Failure 1 Net displacement was the infill displacement relative to its top and bottom. Test No. 2 09/27/12 Design Load: 50 lb / 1 Square Ft at Bottom of In-Fill (on Three Pickets) Load Level Test Load (lb) E.T. Displacement (in) (min:sec) End Mid End Net 1 Initial Load 25 00:00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.0x Design Load 110 00:19 0.03 0.11 0.00 0.10 Initial Load 25 01:55 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% Recovery from 2.0 x Design Load 2.5x Design Load 126 02:19 Achieved Load without Failure 1 Net displacement was the bottom rail displacement relative to its ends.
Page 6 of 9 2.7 Test Results (Continued) Test No. 3A 09/27/12 Design Load: 50 plf x (120 in 12 in/ft) = 500 lb Horizontal Uniform Load on Top Rail Left Side of Guardrail Assembly Load Level Test Load (lb) E.T. Rail Displacement (in) (min:sec) End Mid End Net 1 Initial Load 99 00:00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.0x Design Load 1006 01:01 0.10 1.95 2.63 0.59 Initial Load 99 03:25 0.02 0.52 0.75 0.14 76% Recovery from 2.0 x Design Load 2.5x Design Load 1254 04:45 Achieved Load without Failure 1 Each end displacement was measured at the center of the support. Net displacement was the rail displacement relative to the supports (intermediate support post and end post). Test No. 3B 09/27/12 Design Load: 50 plf x (120 in 12 in/ft) = 500 lb Horizontal Uniform Load on Top Rail Right Side of Guardrail Assembly Load Level Test Load (lb) E.T. Rail Displacement (in) (min:sec) End Mid End Net 1 Initial Load 99 00:00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.0x Design Load 1006 01:01 2.63 1.96 0.12 0.59 Initial Load 99 03:25 0.75 0.52 0.02 0.14 76% Recovery from 2.0 x Design Load 2.5x Design Load 1254 04:45 Achieved Load without Failure 1 Each end displacement was measured at the center of the support. Net displacement was the rail displacement relative to the supports (intermediate support post and end post). Test No. 4A 09/27/12 Design Load: 200 lb Concentrated Load at Midspan of Top Rail Left Side of Guardrail Assembly Load Level 2 Test Load (lb) E.T. Rail Displacement (in) (min:sec) End Mid End Net 1 Initial Load 101 00:00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 (2.0x Design Load) x 2 803 01:00 0.07 1.46 1.81 0.52 Initial Load 101 03:00 0.00 0.01 0.04 0.00 100% Recovery from 2.0 x Design Load (2.5x Design Load) x 2 1001 04:03 Achieved Load without Failure 1 Each end displacement was measured at the center of the support. Net displacement was the rail displacement relative to the supports (midspan support post and end post). 2 A spreader beam was used to impose loads on both ends of the railing system; therefore, loads were doubled.
Architectural Testing 2.7 Page 7 of 9 Test Results (Continued) Test No. 4B 09/27/12 Design Load: 200 lb Concentrated Load at Midspan of Top Rail Right Side of Guardrail Assembly Rail Displacement (in) E.T. Load Level 2 Test Load (lb) (min:sec) End Mid End Net 1 Initial Load 101 00:00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 (2.0x Design Load) x 2 803 01:00 1.81 1.36 0.08 0.42 Initial Load 101 03:00 0.04 0.03 0.00 0.01 98% Recovery from 2.0 x Design Load (2.5x Design Load) x 2 1001 04:03 Achieved Load without Failure 1 Each end displacement was measured at the center of the support. Net displacement was the rail displacement relative to the supports (intermediate support post and end post). 2 A spreader beam was used to impose loads on both ends of the railing system; therefore, loads were doubled. Test No. 5 09/27/12 Design Load: 200 lb Concentrated Load at Ends of Top Rail (Brackets) Rail Displacement (in) E.T. Load Level 1 Test Load (lb) (min:sec) Rail End #1 Rail End #2 Initial Load 101 00:00 0.00 0.00 (2.0x Design Load) x 2 813 00:55 0.17 0.18 Initial Load 101 02:56 0.01 0.01 Recovery: N/A (2.5x Design Load) x 2 1005 03:37 Achieved Load without Failure 1 A spreader beam was used to impose loads on both ends of the railing system; therefore, loads were doubled.
Page 8 of 9 2.8 Summary and Conclusions Using performance criteria of 75% deflection recovery from 2.0 times design load and withstanding an ultimate load of 2.5 times design load, the test results substantiate compliance with the design load requirements of the referenced building code for the 120 in wide by 42" high fully welded aluminum guardrail system with intermediate support post reported herein as installed between adequate supports with guardrail details and Occupancy Classification as shown in the following table: Maximum Guardrail System Dimensions* Guardrail Type Code Occupancy Classification 120 in by 42 in (Aluminum) Level IBC - All Use Groups * Guardrails are qualified up to and including the listed maximum guardrail system dimensions for use in the referenced Code Occupancy Classification The end support posts are not a tested component and are included in the test setup only to facilitate the rail bracket anchorage. 3.0 Closing Statement Detailed drawings, data sheets, representative samples of test specimens, a copy of this test report, and all other supporting evidence will be retained by Architectural Testing for a period of four years from the original test date. At the end of this retention period, said materials shall be discarded without notice, and the service life of this report by Architectural Testing shall expire. Results obtained are tested values and were secured using the designated test methods. This report neither constitutes certification of this product nor expresses an opinion or endorsement by this laboratory; it is the exclusive property of the client so named herein and relates only to the tested specimens. This report may not be reproduced, except in full, without the written approval of Architectural Testing. For ARCHITECTURAL TESTING: Adam J. Schrum Technician I Structural Systems Testing Virgal T. Mickley, Jr., P.E. Senior Project Engineer Structural Systems Testing AJS:vtm/drm Attachments (pages): This report is complete only when all attachments listed are included. Appendix A - Drawings (4) Appendix B - Photographs (4)
Page 9 of 9 Revision Log Rev. # Date Page(s) Revision(s) 0 10/23/12 N/A Original report issue
APPENDIX A Drawings
APPENDIX B Photographs
Photo No. 1 In-Fill Load Test at Center of Three Pickets Photo No. 2 In-Fill Load Test at Bottom of Three Pickets
Photo No. 3 Uniform Horizontal Load Test on Top Rail Photo No. 4 Concentrated Load Test at Mid-Span of Top Rail
Photo No. 5 Concentrated Load Test at Ends of Top Rail (Brackets) Photo No. 6 Top Rail (Left) and Bottom Rail (Right)
Photo No. 7 Top Rail at Midspan Post (Left) and Bottom Rail at Midspan Post (Right) Photo No. 8 Top Rail Sleeve Bracket (Left) and Bottom Rail Bracket (Right)