SHS Jargon Buster Vol. 2 – Planning Your Balustrade Installation

We’re back with another edition of the SHS Jargon Buster, where we explain those terms in the balustrade business that can be confusing. This time around we’re focusing on terms related to planning your balustrade installation. Dive in and next time you chat to your builder you’ll sound like a pro.

Building Regulations

Building Regulations on balustrade installation are the minimum requirements for design, construction and alterations to buildings as dictated by the UK government.  Planning Permission and Building Regulations are different things, but you may need both for your project. To save you going through the entire governmental guide, skip to Part K of the Building Regulations 2010 document entitled “Protection from falling, collision and impact” for the rules relating to balustrades.

Planning Permission for Balustrade Installation

Planning Permission is what the planning department of your local council will allow you to do to your property. If you have any questions about Planning Permission for your balustrade installation, they are your first point of contact. Decisions will vary depending on which council you’re working with.

CAD

CAD stands for Computer-Aided Design. We turn to our CAD Team whenever your balustrade cannot be made with off-the-shelf posts and components. Using state-of-the-art CAD software, they produce accurate technically-specified drawings. The team will work to specific dimensions supplied by either you or our in-house surveyors.

Outside Measurements

The outside measurements are the measurements around the outside of the area you are installing your balustrade.

Centreline Measurements

The centreline measurement is the measurement from the centre of the first post on the run to the centre of the last post on the run. Do this for each run and viola! You have your centreline measurements for your balustrade installation.

Maximum Centres

The ‘Maximum Centre’ is the maximum amount of space you can have between the centres of two balustrade posts. You’ll see this phrase in all of the specifications tables on this website, we wouldn’t supply balustrades with larger centres than stated as this would weaken the strength of the balustrade.

We’ll be back with more Jargon busting knowledge, but in the meantime, if there are any questions you may have about balustrade installation, please contact our friendly team.