AS1428 and AS1657 are two Australian Standards that relate to the design and installation of handrails, balustrades, and barriers. They aim to ensure accessibility, safety, and compliance for people who use these structures in various settings.

AS1428 covers the minimum design requirements for new building work to provide access for people with disabilities. It specifies the dimensions, materials, and configurations of handrails and balustrades that are suitable for different types of users, such as wheelchair users, people with ambulatory disabilities, or people with sensory impairments¹².

AS1657 covers the design, construction, and installation of fixed platforms, walkways, stairways, and ladders that are intended to provide safe access to places used by operating, inspection, maintenance, and servicing personnel. It outlines the load ratings, clearances, openings, and guardrail requirements for these structures³⁴.

Moddex is a leading supplier of low-risk, compliant modular balustrade and handrail systems in Australia and New Zealand. Moddex uses proprietary designs that are engineered to exceed Australian and international standards, including AS1428 and AS1657. Moddex systems are pre-engineered, no-weld, and easy to install, reducing time and cost on site. Moddex systems are also adaptable to various environments and applications, such as disability ramps, bridges, mezzanines, car parks, and more⁵⁶⁷.

Moddex systems align with AS1428 and AS1657 by providing smooth, continuous, and durable handrails and balustrades that offer maximum protection and accessibility for users. Moddex systems also offer aesthetic appeal and versatility, proving that functionality and design can coexist harmoniously² [^7^

AS1428.1

AS1428.1 is a part of the Australian Standards series that provides the minimum design requirements for new building work to enable access for people with disabilities; because of this, Moddex has to use these standards when creating jobs regarding AssistRail and Conectabal products.

AS1428.1 covers aspects of access to and within a building, such as:

- Continuous accessible paths of travel: These are routes that are free of barriers and obstacles that may hinder the movement of people with disabilities. They include features such as circulation spaces, signage, tactile ground surface indicators, walkways, ramps, landings, stairways, handrails, doorways, switches, outlets, and sanitary facilities.

- Stairways: These are structures that provide vertical access between different levels of a building. They have specific requirements for width, angle, flights, stairs, landings, guardrailing, and handrailing to ensure safety and accessibility for people with disabilities.

- Handrails: These are horizontal or sloping rails that provide support and guidance for people using stairways, ramps, or landings. They have specific requirements for dimensions, materials, configurations, and continuity to suit different types of users, such as wheelchair users, people with ambulatory disabilities, or people with sensory impairments.

- Sanitary facilities: These are facilities that provide hygiene and personal care services, such as toilets, showers, basins, and baths. They have specific requirements for dimensions, clearances, fixtures, fittings, grabrails, and signage to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities.

- Assembly buildings: These are buildings that are used for gatherings of people, such as theatres, cinemas, auditoriums, stadiums, or conference halls. They have specific requirements for wheelchair seating spaces, hearing augmentation, glazing, and emergency egress to ensure accessibility and safety for people with disabilities.

AS1428.1 is referenced in the National Construction Code and the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards as a means of compliance with the accessibility provisions. The primary users of AS1428.1 are architects, building designers, draftspersons, building surveyors, and builders. AS1428.1 aims to promote the dignity, independence, and social inclusion of people with disabilities in the built environment.

AS1657

AS1657 is an Australian Standard that specifies the design, construction, and installation of fixed platforms, walkways, stairways, and ladders for access and mobility in buildings and facilities. It covers the following topics:

- Structural design, materials, and welding of the components and assemblies - General requirements for platforms, continuous walkways, and steps with landings, such as protection at sides, ends, edges, and openings, and guardrailing design - Width, angle, flights, stairs, landings, guardrailing, and handrailing of stairways - Clearances, access, landings, and guardrailing of fixed ladders, including step ladders, rung ladders, and individual-rung ladders - Testing of guardrail posts and guardrails - Typical component dimensions and spacings for guardrailing

AS1657 is intended to provide the minimum requirements for safe and functional access and mobility in buildings and facilities, and to promote the dignity, independence, and social inclusion of people with disabilities. It is referenced in the National Construction Code and the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards as a means of compliance with the accessibility provisions. The primary users of AS1657 are architects, building designers, draftspersons, building surveyors, and builders.

AS1657 was first published in 1938 as AS CA10, and has been revised several times since then. The latest version, AS1657:2018, was published in 2018 and supersedes the previous version, AS1657:2013. Some of the changes in the 2018 version include:

- Clarification of the scope and application of the standard

- Alignment of the terminology and definitions with the NCC and the Premises Standards

- Addition of requirements for communication for people who are deaf or hearing impaired

- Addition of requirements for tactile ground surface indicators for the orientation of people with vision impairment

- Addition of requirements for enhanced and additional access for people with disabilities

- Addition of requirements for children and adolescents with physical disabilities

- Revision of the design loads and factors of safety for the structural design

- Revision of the materials and welding requirements

- Revision of the guardrailing and handrailing requirements

- Revision of the ladder requirements

- Revision of the testing methods and criteria³⁴⁵

If you want to learn more about AS1657, you can purchase the full standard from [SAI Global](^2^) or visit the [Workplace Access & Safety](^4^) website for more information and guidance. 📚

Source:

(1) AS 1657-1992 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders - Design .... https://www.astcad.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/AS-1657-1992-Fixed-platforms-walkways-stairways-and-ladders-Design-construction-and-installation.pdf.

(2) AS 1657:2018 | Fixed Platforms, Walkways, Stairways & Ladders | SAI Global. https://infostore.saiglobal.com/en-au/Standards/AS-1657-2018-99067_SAIG_AS_AS_208310/.

(3) Draft AS1657 - fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders .... https://www.workplaceaccess.com.au/draft-as1657/.

(4) AS 1657:2018: Understanding the newly revised height safety standard. https://www.workplaceaccess.com.au/as-16572018-understanding-the-newly-revised-height-safety-standard/.

(5) AS 1657: Understanding the AS 1657 height safety standard. https://www.workplaceaccess.com.au/as-1657-revised-height-safety-standard/.

(6) AS 1657:2018 | Fixed Platforms, Walkways, Stairways & Ladders | SAI Global. https://infostore.saiglobal.com/en-au/Standards/AS-1657-2018-99067_SAIG_AS_AS_208310/.

(7) AS 1657:2018: Understanding the newly revised height safety standard. https://www.workplaceaccess.com.au/as-16572018-understanding-the-newly-revised-height-safety-standard/.

Source

(1) Fixed Stairway Based on AS1657 & AS1428.1 - esolidesign. http://esolidesign.com/fixed-stairway-based-on-as1657-as1428-1/. (2) How Moddex systems align with AS1428 for disability access and mobility. https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/suppliers/moddex/how-moddex-systems-align-with-as1428. (3) Mezzanine Floor Staircase Regulations in Australia (2023). https://www.awstructures.com.au/blog/mezzanine-floor-staircase-regulations-in-australia/. (4) Understanding Australian Standards for Handrails. https://www.webforge.com.au/media-centre/understanding-australian-standards-for-handrails/2023/09/25/understanding-australian-standards-for-handrails. (5) . https://bing.com/search?q=Moddex. (6) Moddex - Leader in No-Weld Modular Handrails & Balustrades. https://moddex.com/. (7) Products - Moddex. https://moddex.com/products/.