Purpose:
The main purpose of railing marking is to identify the correct position, alignment, height, and fixing points of the railing before installation.
In simple terms:
Railing marking acts as a guide for installation. It helps workers fix balcony, window, and staircase railings at the correct location, height, and alignment as per the approved drawings.
Marking for Balcony and Window Railing
- It Involves the fixing of mild steel railing of desired dimensions, for balconies and windows.
Procedure :
- Mark the center of opening on the top most floor balcony or window or the building
- Drop a Plumb from this point to the ground level and mark the same for all balcony/Window Openings.
- With reference to this marking, the railing fixing work has to start.
- The horizontal center of the railing should be marked.
- This marking on the railing is made to coincide with the center marking of the opening.
- Cross checking can also be done while fixing of an individual railing with that of the already fixed railing on the above floor.
Balcony Railing :
- The railing should be fixed such that it is at the center of the thickness of the balcony walls (including plastering thickness)
- The top level of the railing should be maintained with respect to the 1m mark, in all the floors.
Window Railing :
- The Railing should be fixed such that an equal gap is maintained between the jambs, lintel, sill coping granite and the railing grill.
- All the window jamb should be marked with a plumb bob and then the plastering button mark should be fixed. The window railing is then fixed and plastering is done.
- Due to window shades(chejjas), the plumb will have to be dropped for the center of the window shade and then this mark will have to be transferred onto the center of the window.
Note:
- The vertical alignment of the railing of all floors can also be checked by using a theodilite, for maximum accuracy.
Staircase Railing :
Staircase Railing marking is done on the wall of the staircase room to facilitate the fixing of staircase railing
- Finished floor level with the respect to the 1m mark should be completed for both the floors between which the staircase railing marking will be done.
- As per the staircase railing drawing mark the location of the first bluster in the lower floor, on the wall that is adjacent to the staircase ( if the staircase has railing on both sides, then a temporary plywood can be fixed firmly on one side of the staircase and marking can be done on it).
- The corresponding last baluster for the same flight on the landing also marked on the wall.
- The Marking should be from the center of the width of tread both ends. This helps in maintaining the handrail perfectly parallel to the waist sab of the staircase.
- A string line is tied between the top of these two markings, which will give the marking for the hand rail, along the flight of the staircase.
- Repeat the procedure and mark the baluster and the hand rail for the next flight.
- Drive nails at the point where the handrail marking for both flights stop at the landing wall area. Tie a String line connecting these nails.
- If the Thread is perfectly horizontal or if the nail for the first flight is higher that the nail for the first flight is higher than the nail for the second flight, then the ends of actual hand rail can be connected with horizontal piece of hand rail.
- Otherwise, the rails of the two flights will have to be connected suitably as per architects instructions, with a vertical or an obliquely placed hand rail piece.
Methodology of Quality Inspection – Balcony, Window & Staircase Railing Marking
● Check if the balcony and window railing marking is at the correct height as per the approved drawing.
● Check if the center of balcony and window openings is aligned vertically.
● Check if all balcony and window railings are of the same size and dimensions.
● Check the horizontal and vertical alignment of the railing markings.
● Check if the staircase railing marking follows the staircase slope uniformly.
● Check the railing height and spacing between railing posts as per the approved drawing.
● Verify the starting and ending points of the staircase railing at the stairs and landing.
● Check all fixing points and edge distances before installation.
● Cross-check the complete marking with the approved architectural drawings before proceeding with installation.
