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What Balustrade Wire Regulations Should I Be Aware Of In Victoria?

12 . 05 . 2016

If you have decided that a wire balustrade will be the perfect complement for your new staircase, there are a number of regulations that it will have to meet to ensure safety. In this article, we have focused specifically on the balustrade wire regulations for Victoria as set out by the National Construction Code (NCC) 2015; we hope that it answers all of your pressing questions.

One of the first steps in planning your balustrade is to have an understanding of the different wire types available. The most common are 3.2mm 1x19 and 3.2mm 7x7. 3.2mm refers to the diameter of the wire, whilst 1x19 or 7x7 refers to its construction or lay. In other words, 1x19 is made up of 1 single wire with 19 strands whilst 7x7 is made up of 7 wires each with 7 strands.

  • 1x19 is very rigid, making it well suited to balustrade applications. It cannot be hand swaged, and is only suitable for hydraulic swaging.
  • 7x7 is semi-flexible, making it the perfect choice for balustrades where hand swaging is being used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Installing Horizontal Wires

  • What if I only have a drop of less than 1 metre to the area below?
    In this case, NCC regulations do not apply and it is completely up to you to determine the most appropriate level of safety, spacing and the number of support posts you use.
  • What if I have a drop of more than 1 metre to the area below?
    In this case, you will need to ensure that your wires and posts are fit according to NCC regulations. Fitting the wires horizontally is perfectly acceptable in this case.
  • What if I have a drop of more than 4 metres to the area below?
    In this case, you are not allowed to use horizontal wires and they will instead need to be fitted vertically. This is not a situation that arises very often, but it does happen.
  • 3mm 1x19: We have found that having your posts spaced at 1200mm and your wires spaced at 80mm is the easiest way to ensure the tension required will be achievable and will pass inspection.
  • 3mm 7x7: We have found that having your posts spaced at 1500mm and your wires spaced at 80mm is the easiest way to ensure the tension required will be achievable and will pass inspection.

Whether you decide to go with wire or with another design entirely, we hope that the information has given you a better idea of the relevant balustrade wire regulations and why they are so important. It is important to note that some of the recommendations made above are intended to be a guide only and that, according to your situation, an alternative might be better suited.