ONTARIO

PROVINCIAL METRIC
STANDARD OPSS 908
SPECIFICATION MARCH 1998

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATION FOR

METAL TRAFFIC BARRIERS AND METAL RAILINGS FOR STRUCTURES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

908.01 SCOPE

908.02 REFERENCES

908.03 DEFINITIONS

908.04 SUBMISSION AND DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

908.04.01 Submission
.02 Design
.03 Return of Submissions

908.05 MATERIALS

908.05.01 Metal Traffic Barrier

.02 Barrier Wall Railing, Parapet Wall Railing, Pedestrian Railing and Bicycle
Railing

908.05.02.01 Steel Railing

.02 Aluminum Railing
.03 Stainless Steel Fasteners

908.05.03 Anchorage Assembly

.04 Grout
.05 Zinc Rich Paint

908.06 Not Used

908.07 CONSTRUCTION

908.07.01 General
.02 Alignment
.03 Anchorages

908.07.03.01 General
.02 Anchorages Installed Before Concrete Placement
.03 Anchorages Installed After Concrete Placement
.04 Anchorages Installed in Timber

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908.07.04 Fabrication of Railings

908.07.04.01 General
.02 Steel Components
.03 Aluminum Components

908.07.05 Contact Surfaces

.06 As Built Drawings

908.08 Not Used

908.09 MEASUREMENT FOR PAYMENT

908.09.01 Actual Measurement

908.09.01.01 Metal Traffic Barrier

Barrier Wall Railing, Parapet Wall Railing, Pedestrian Railing and Bicycle
Railing

908.09.02 Plan Quantity Measurement

908.09.02.01 Metal Traffic Barrier

Barrier Wall Railing, Pedestrian Railing, Bicycle Railing and Parapet Wall
Railing

908.10 BASIS OF PAYMENT

908.10.01 Metal Traffic Barrier - Item

Barrier Wall Railing - Item
Parapet Wall Railing - Item
Pedestrian Railing - Item
Bicycle Railing - Item

908.01 SCOPE

This specification covers the requirements for the fabrication and erection of metal railings for structures
including posts and anchors.

908.02 REFERENCES

This specification refers to the following standards specifications and publications:

Ontario Provincial Standard Specifications, Construction:

OPSS 906 Structural Steel

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Canadian Standards Association Standards:

CAN/CSA-G40.20/G40.21-M92 - General Requirements for Rolled or Welded Structural Quality

Steel/Structural Quality Steels

CAN/CSA-G164-M92 - Hot Dip Galvanizing of Irregularly Shaped Articles

CAN/CSA-O80-Series M89 - Wood Preservation

CSA W47.1-92 - Certification of Companies for Fusion Welding of Steel Structures

CSA W47.2-M1987 - Certification of Companies for Fusion Welding of Aluminum

CSA W59.2-M1991 - Welded Aluminum Construction

American Society for Testing and Materials Standards:

ASTM A 27/A 27-M93 - Specification for Steel Castings, Carbon, for General Applications

ASTM A 307-94 - Specification for Carbon Steel Bolts and Studs, 60,000 psi Tensile Strength

ASTM A 314-94b - Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Billets and Bars for Forging

ASTM A 325M-93 - High-Strength Bolts for Structural Steel Joints

ASTM B 117-94 - Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Testing Apparatus

ASTM B 108-95 - Aluminum-Alloy Permanent Mold Castings

ASTM B 209-M95 - Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate

ASTM B 221-M95a - Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Red, Wire, Shapes and Tubes

National Standards of Canada:

CAN/CGSB-1.181-M92 - Ready-Mixed Organic Zinc-Rich Coating

Other:

OHBDC-Ontario Highway Bridge Design Code: 3rd Ed.

908.03 DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of this specification the following definitions apply:

Barrier Wall Railing: means a railing that does not have to meet the barrier appraisal requirements of
the OHBDC, that is fastened to the top of a concrete barrier wall.

Metal Traffic Barrier: means a metal barrier system mounted on a structure that has undergone the
barrier appraisal requirements of the OHBDC and has been accepted for use by the Owner.

Parapet Wall Railing: means a railing that does not have to meet the barrier appraisal requirements of
the OHBDC that is fastened to the top of a parapet wall.

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Railing: When the term "railing" is used within this specification without specific reference to barrier wall
railing, pedestrian railing, bicycle railing, parapet wall railing or metal traffic barrier railing, then the term
shall be deemed to refer to all types.

908.04 SUBMISSION AND DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

908.04.01 Submission

At least two weeks prior to commencement of fabrication of the metal railings, six copies of the shop
drawings of the railings shall be submitted to the Contract Administrator.

908.04.02 Design

Metal traffic barriers shall have been crash tested or shall be of similar geometry and strength to ones
that have been crash tested according to the conditions specified in OHBDC.

The metal railings that have not been crash tested shall be designed according to OHBDC, shall bear the
seal and signature of the design and checking Engineers and require approval of the Owner.

908.04.03 Return of Submissions

Two copies will be returned as follows:

a. Stamped with the wording "Permission to Construct".

In this case work can start on receipt. A copy of the drawings shall be available at the site prior to
and during construction.

or

b. Stamped with the wording "Permission to Construct Approved As Noted".

Work can start on receipt of these drawings by the Contractor.

In this case the drawings shall be updated as noted, shall have a stamp affixed signed by an
Engineer stating the drawings have been revised according to the approved as noted comments.

A copy of the updated drawings shall be available at the site prior to and during construction.

or

c. Showing only required changes.

In this case the submission shall be updated as required and the submission process repeated.

908.05 MATERIALS

908.05.01 Metal Traffic Barrier

Materials shall be according to the barrier specified. Modification of the barrier material shall not be made
without written approval of the Owner.

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908.05.02 Barrier Wall Railing, Parapet Wall Railing, Pedestrian Railing and Bicycle
Railing

908.05.02.01 Steel Railing

Steel, unless otherwise approved, shall be according to CSA G40.21.

Rails shall be Grade 350W

Rolled sections and steel plate shall be Grade 300W.

Galvanized bolts and nuts shall be according to ASTM A 307.

Cast steel posts shall be according to ASTM A 27, Grade 65-35.

Set screws shall have a zinc-nickel plating applied to a thickness of 10 µm. The plating shall show no red
rust after 1000 h exposure to salt spray according to ASTM B 117.

All steel surfaces shall be protected by hot dipped galvanizing according to CSA G-164M providing a
minimum zinc mass of 610 g\m2.

908.05.02.02 Aluminum Railing

Extruded aluminum tubing shall be 6061-T6 or 6351-T6 alloy according to ASTM B 221M.

Aluminum sheet and plate shall be 6061-T6 alloy according to ASTM B 209M.

Cast post shall be A444 alloy T-4 heat treated according to ASTM B 108.

When the railing is mounted on a parapet wall or concrete barrier wall and the concrete wall equals or
exceeds the required barrier height specified in the OHBDC an extruded post conforming to 6061-T6 may
be used.

908.05.02.03 Stainless Steel Fasteners

Bolts, set screws, nuts and washers shall be Type 304 stainless steel according to ASTM-A 314.

908.05.03 Anchorage Assembly

Anchor bolts shall be according to ASTM A 325M. The anchorage cage shall be according to SAE 1030.
The bolts and cage shall be hot dipped galvanized according to CSA G164M. The anchorage assembly
shall be supplied with the bolts installed in a template.

908.05.04 Grout

Grout shall be non-staining, non-shrink cement based grout or non-staining, non-shrink epoxy based
grout as specified in the Contract.

908.05.05 Zinc Rich Paint

Zinc rich paint shall be according to CAN/CGSB-1.181 M.

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908.07 CONSTRUCTION

908.07.01 General

Railing components shall be protected from damage and distortion during handling, transportation,
storage and installation.

When bedding grout is placed under post bases to obtain the proper grade and alignment the grout shall
have a minimum thickness of 5 mm and a maximum thickness of 15 mm. The mixing, surface
preparation, installation and curing shall be according to the manufacturers recommendations.

The work shall include installation of the anchorage assemblies installed after concrete placement or
installed in wood.

908.07.02 Alignment

The railing shall be installed to the elevations and alignment shown on the contract drawings with a
tolerance of ± 6 mm and with no kinks or other visible breaks in alignment throughout the length of the
installation.

908.07.03 Anchorages

908.07.03.01 General

Anchorages shall be accurately and securely located.

Anchorage assemblies shall be installed before concreting or installed after concreting as specified in the
contract.

908.07.03.02 Anchorages Installed Before Concrete Placement

Components shall be installed prior to placing concrete and shall be securely tied to reinforcing steel.
Anchorage assemblies shall be positioned with templates and installed securely in the formwork to
maintain the position of the anchors during placement of concrete.

908.07.03.03 Anchorages Installed After Concrete Placement

Holes shall be core drilled, the anchoring grout placed and the anchors properly positioned at locations
specified. The placement of the anchoring agent and the anchors shall be according to the
manufacturer's recommendations except as modified herein. The holes shall be free of dust and debris
immediately prior to placement of the anchoring agent. When the anchoring agent fails to fill the hole
after insertion of the anchor, additional anchoring agent shall be immediately added to fill the hole.

When a cement based grout is used as the anchoring agent, the holes shall be pre-dampened for a
period of one hour and free water shall be removed prior to the application of the cement based grout.

When an epoxy grout is specified as the anchoring agent, the inside surface of the holes shall be
roughened and shall be dry prior to the application of the epoxy grout.

Where anchors are inserted into horizontal or inclined holes in a vertical face the anchors shall be
maintained in position during the setting of the anchoring agent. Loss of anchoring agent from the holes
shall be prevented.

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908.07.03.04 Anchorages Installed in Timber

Holes for bolts shall be drilled with a bit 1.5 mm larger in diameter than the bolt. The diameter of the
recessed holes for the bolt heads shall be no greater than 10 mm larger than the width of the bolt head.

Where oil treatment has been used on the wood curbing the cut surfaces of the wood shall be given three
coats of creosote oil. Each coat shall be allowed to dry before the next coat is applied.

Repairs to cuts in material treated with water-borne preservatives shall conform to CAN/CSA-080.

908.07.04 Fabrication of Railings

908.07.04.01 General

The railing system components shall be fabricated according to the details specified. Field modification
shall only be done when approved by the Contract Administrator.

When welding is required the fabricator shall be certified according to Division 2.1 of CSA W47.1 for steel
railings or W47.2 for aluminum railings.

908.07.04.02 Steel Components

Unless otherwise specified in the contract, fabrication and welding shall be according to OPSS 906.

All flame cut edges shall be as smooth and regular as those produced by edge planing and shall be free
of slag.

When a galvanized surface is damaged, the exposed steel shall be immediately cleaned of all rust, oil
and grease and coated with a 75 µm maximum thickness of zinc rich paint. After erection, the surface
shall be given a second coating of zinc rich paint of the same thickness.

908.07.04.03 Aluminum Components

Aluminum railings and posts shall be thoroughly cleaned of all discolouration by approved methods and
all marks and scratches shall be removed. A coating, two passes or more, of a clear alkali-resistant non-
yellowing methacrylate type lacquer may be applied to the cleaned surface. The railings when erected,
shall have a clean degreased aluminum surface of uniform appearance and texture.

Components of railings shall be joined by rivetting, bolting, expanding or welding as shown on the shop
drawings. Special aluminum alloy fasteners may be used provided that they are approved by the Owner.

Where tubular balusters are fastened to the horizontal rails by expanding the tubes, the drilled holes shall
be not more than 1 mm greater than the nominal diameter of the baluster tube. A standard self-feeding
tapered roll expander shall be used to expand the balusters to give a tight fit in all rails.

Sheet or plate material may be sheared, sawn or cut with a router; however sheet or plate materials more
than 10 mm thick shall only be sawn or routed. Cut edges shall be true and smooth, free from excessive
burrs and ragged edges.

Re-entrant cuts shall only be used when unavoidable and when used, a fillet shall be provided by drilling
prior to cutting.

Aluminum alloys shall not be flame cut.

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Bolt holes in 10 mm or thinner material may be drilled or punched to finished size. In material thicker than
10 mm, the holes shall be drilled to finished size or sub-punched smaller than the nominal diameter of the
fastener and reamed to size.

During fit-up holes shall not be drifted in such a manner as to distort the metal, but holes misaligned less
than 2 mm may be reamed to render a reasonable fit.

The shank of bolts shall be long enough to provide full bearing in the connection and where the shank
extends beyond the surface being clamped washers shall be used to ensure proper clamping. Washers
shall be used under the nuts.

Welding of aluminum shall be permitted only where shown on the shop drawings.

Inert Gas Shielded Arc Processes and the quality of the welding shall be according to CSA W59.2M.

908.07.05 Contact Surfaces

When aluminum would otherwise come in contact with other metal surfaces, the contacting surfaces shall
be separated from each other by use of a synthetic rubber or neoprene gasket.

When aluminum would otherwise come in contact with concrete, wood or masonry, the contact surfaces
shall be separated by means of a gasket, as above, or the aluminum surface shall be given a heavy coat
of alkali-resistant bituminous paint prior to installation. The paint shall be applied as it is received from
the manufacturer without the addition of thinner.

908.07.06 As Built Drawings

As built drawings shall be prepared by the Contractor as follows:

a. for all work incorporated in the completed structure that required the submission of working drawings.

b. for all changes from the original Contract requirements.

The as built drawings shall be submitted to the Contract Administrator in a reproducible format such as a
Mylar prior to final acceptance of the work.

The as built drawings shall bear the seal and signature of an Engineer.

908.09 MEASUREMENT FOR PAYMENT

908.09.01 Actual Measurement

908.09.01.01 Metal Traffic Barrier

Barrier Wall Railing, Parapet Wall Railing, Pedestrian Railing and Bicycle
Railing

Measurement for payment will be made in metres from end to end of railing.

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908.09.02 Plan Quantity Measurement

908.09.02.01 Metal Traffic Barrier

Barrier Wall Railing, Pedestrian Railing, Bicycle Railing and Parapet Wall
Railing

When measurement is by Plan Quantity, such measurement will be based on the unit shown in the
clauses under Actual Measurement.

908.10 BASIS OF PAYMENT

908.10.01 Metal Traffic Barrier - Item

Barrier Wall Railing - Item
Parapet Wall Railing - Item
Pedestrian Railing - Item
Bicycle Railing - Item

Payment at the contract price for the above items shall be full compensation for all labour, equipment and
materials required to do the work.

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