Which guardrail component must be installed when walls are less than 21 inches high and must withstand at least 150 pounds of force?

Which guardrail component must be installed when walls are less than 21 inches high and must withstand at least 150 pounds of force?

• A. Mid Rail
• B. Top Rail
• C. Toe Board
• D. Guard Rail Base

Answer: (A)

When openings are low, an extra barrier is needed to prevent someone from slipping through and to share the load if someone pushes against the guard. The mid rail provides that additional line of defense halfway up the barrier and is rated to withstand at least 150 pounds of force, meeting safety requirements for low walls. The top rail alone wouldn’t guarantee adequate protection for openings under 21 inches, and a toe board is meant to stop objects at the floor rather than protect a person at height. The base or anchoring components don’t add the mid-height protection the scenario demands. So the mid rail is the component you install in this situation.

When openings are low, an extra barrier is needed to prevent someone from slipping through and to share the load if someone pushes against the guard. The mid rail provides that additional line of defense halfway up the barrier and is rated to withstand at least 150 pounds of force, meeting safety requirements for low walls. The top rail alone wouldn’t guarantee adequate protection for openings under 21 inches, and a toe board is meant to stop objects at the floor rather than protect a person at height. The base or anchoring components don’t add the mid-height protection the scenario demands. So the mid rail is the component you install in this situation.