Specifications

Architectural Fiberglass (FRP) Balustrade System Specifications

SECTION 06610

Fiberglass Cornice PDF
Fiberglass Balusters

(774 KB)

Fiberglass Cornice PDF
Baluster Details

(365 KB)

FRP Cornice DWG
Fiberglass Balusters

(579 KB)

FRP Cornice DWG
Balustrade Details

(114 KB)

FRP Cornice Word
Fiberglass Baluster Specifications

(50 KB)

PART 1- GENERAL

  1. RELATED DOCUMENTS
    1. Drawings, conditions of the contract and Division 1 Specifications sections, apply to work of this section.
  2. SUMMARY
    1. Section Includes: Architectural Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Balustrade System including fiberglass balusters, rails, and newel post.
  3. RELATED SECTIONS
    1. Section 05120 — Structural Steel: Support framing for architectural fiberglass.
    2. Section 06100 — Rough Carpentry: Framing and Blocking.
    3. Section 07900 — Joint sealants and field applied sealants.
  4. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
    1. Installed architectural fiberglass balustrade system and fastening systems shall be designed, engineered, fabricated, and installed to conform to the state codes, local codes, and the Architect’s design. (Specify 4″ sphere baluster spacing code rule if applicable.)
  5. SUBMITTALS
    1. Shop Drawings: Include plan views, elevations, sections, profiles, and details of balustrade system. Illustrate dimensions, adjacent construction, materials, thickness, fabrications details, required clearances, field jointing, tolerances, colors, finishes, methods of support, attachments, and anchorage to substrates, integration of components, and list of part numbers that coordinate with labeled architectural fiberglass parts.
    2. Submit manufacturer’s current valid certification with The Certified Composites Technician (CCT) program created by the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA).
    3. Submit manufacturer’s internal Quality Control & Assurance Procedures based upon provisions published in the “Guidelines and Recommended Practices for Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Architectural Products” upon request.
    4. Product Data: Submit manufacturer’s product data and installation instructions.
    5. Product Samples: Submit minimum 3-inch x 5-inch samples in specified color, texture and finish when applicable.
  6. QUALITY ASSURANCE
    1. Obtain architectural fiberglass balustrade system including balusters, rails and newel post from a single source manufacturer that has the ability and resources to comply with the requirements and schedule of the project.
    2. Manufacturer to comply with Quality Control & Assurance Procedures, and fabricate architectural fiberglass balustrade system based upon provisions published in the “Guidelines and Recommended Practices for Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Architectural Products”.
    3. Inspect each molded piece to ensure that it complies with specified requirements, including nominal dimensions.
  7. MANUFACTURER’S QUALIFICATIONS
    1. Manufacturer: Provide products manufactured by a firm specializing in the manufacture of fiberglass balustrade systems, in the United States with a minimum of ten (10) years experience.
    2. Manufacturer shall demonstrate current valid certification and participation in the CCT program and fabricate material based upon provisions published in the “Guidelines and Recommended Practices for Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Architectural Products”.
    3. Provide a list of projects comparable in size, scope, and complexity as indicated, upon request.
    4. Provide verification that fiberglass balustrade system meets or exceeds products specified.
  8. DELIVERY, STORAGE AND HANDLING
    1. Handle, store and transport architectural fiberglass balustrade system according to manufacturer’s recommendations and in a manner that prevents damage.
    2. Protect architectural fiberglass balustrade system from damage by retaining shipping protection in place until installation.
    3. Damage Responsibility: Except for damage caused by others, the installer is responsible for chipping, cracking, or other damage to fiberglass balustrade system , after delivery to the jobsite and until installation is completed and inspected and approved by the Architect or owner’s representative.
  9. WARRANTY
    1. Warrant architectural fiberglass balustrade system to be free from defect due to materials and workmanship for one year.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

  1. ACCEPTABLE MANUFACTURER
  2. FABRICATION PATTERNS/MOLDS
    1. Custom Architectural Fiberglass Balustrade System to include fiberglass balusters, top and bottom rails, and newel post.
    2. Custom Pattern/Mockups: Patterns and mockups shall be hand carved and/or CNC machined by skilled pattern makers with minimum of ten (10) years experience with architectural elements. Patterns & mockups shall be available at manufacturing facility for architect’s inspection and approval before molds are produced.
    3. Custom Molds: Molds shall be produced with ample layers of tooling resin, tooling gel-coat, glass fibers and/or flexible rubber by skilled mold makers with minimum of ten (10) years experience with architectural elements. Produced molds shall have rigidity and thickness to prevent distortion and deflection of molded architectural fiberglass.
  3. MATERIALS CHARACTERISTICS
    1. MOLDED EXTERIOR SURFACE: U-V inhibited, NPG-ISO polyester gel coat, 18 to 22 mils thick. Color to match in texture and finish of sample supplied by Architect.
    2. BARRIER COAT: Specifically formulated backup polyester surface veil 18-20 mils thick to prevent glass print through and ultimate Class A finish.
    3. BACK UP LAMINATE:
      1. Resin: Polyester resin shall be fire retardant, and meet Class 1 flame spread rating of 25 or less as characterized by the ASTM E-84 tunnel test at typical 1/8″ glass mat laminate. 
      2. Filler: Functional filler to be added to resin matrix to minimize shrinkage, add stiffness, control opacity, add fire retardance, improve surface finish, minimize crazing, and control dimensional stability from weather extremes.
      3. Fiberglass Reinforcement: Type “E” fiberglass, glass cloth, matt and/or random chopped glass fibers. Glass content approximately 20% to 30%.
      4. Laminate Thickness: Nominal laminate shall be minimum 3/16″ thickness. Additional core reinforcements and/or sandwich structure added as required for rigidity and structural integrity.
  4. FABRICATION
    1. Fiberglass balustrade sections shall be manufactured to accommodate adjoining sections, proper rail-to-newel post alignment, and connection for weather-tight installation.
    2. Baluster, rails, and newel post shall be labeled and correspond to shop drawings.
    3. Factory inside and outside corners, radius sections, stairs, and unique conditions shall be factory fabricated per approved shop drawings. Field modifications will not be permitted unless noted on shop drawings.
    4. Coordinate miscellaneous cutouts required for vents, drainage, and other balustrade system obstructions/penetrations.
  1. AVERAGE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES:
Tensile Strength: 12,000 PSI
Test method: ASTM D638
Flexural strength: 20,000 PSI
Test method: ASTM D790
Flexural modulus:0.9x106 PSI
Test method: ASTM D790
Compressive strength: 17,000 PSI
Test method: ASTM D695
Fiberglass Balustrade
Bearing strength: 9,000 PSI
Test method: ASTM D638
Thermal expansion
10 x 10-6 (° F)
Specific gravity
1.5
  1. FINISH
    1. Color to be factory finished as selected by Architect or Owner’s representative. Field painting will not be required unless noted.
    2. Surface Texture/Exposed side shall be smooth or textured based upon approved sample.
  2. TOLERANCES
    1. Part Thickness: + or − 1/8 inch.
    2. Gel Coat Thickness: + or − 2.5 mils.
    3. Length: + or − 1/8 inch.
    4. Variation from Square: 1/8 inch.
    5. Hardware Location Variation: + or − 1/4 inch.
  3. IDENTIFICATION
    1. Identify each architectural fiberglass baluster unit with a permanent serial number.
    2. Number baluster parts to coordinate with shop drawings.
  4. CURING AND CLEANING
    1. Cure and clean components prior to shipment and remove material which may be:
      1. Toxic to plant or animal life.
      2. Incompatible with adjacent building material.
  5. ANCHORS AND FASTENERS
    1. Contractor to provide anchors and fasteners and other accessories for proper installation of architectural fiberglass balustrade system as recommended and approved by fiberglass fabrication manufacturer.

PART 3 - EXECUTION

  1. PRE-INSTALLATION EXAMINATION
    1. Carefully observe and verify field conditions that substrates are ready for installation of architectural fiberglass balustrade system. Contractor shall verify on site dimensions with shop drawings and assume full responsibility for fitting the components to the structure.
    2. Verify that bearing surfaces are true and level.
    3. Verify that support framing has been constructed to allow accurate placement, alignment and connection of architectural fiberglass rails and newel post to structure.
    4. Report discrepancies between design dimensions and field dimensions, which could adversely affect balustrade system installation, to the Architect and/or Owner’s Representative.
    5. Do not proceed with installation until discrepancies are corrected, or until installation requirements are modified and approved by the Architect and/or Owner’s Representative.
    6. Beginning of installation means acceptance of existing conditions and fiberglass materials.
  2. INSTALLATION
    1. Install architectural fiberglass balustrade system in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and approved shop drawings.
    2. Erect required connection blocking and framing plumb, square, and true to line and level to substrate. Recess blocking or notch blocking behind panel flanges per manufacturer’s instructions. The installer shall supply connectors, blocking and framing approved by baluster system manufacturer.
    3. Space joints between rail sections and newel post according to shop drawings, not less than 1/8″ and not greater than 3/8″. Prepare joints by lightly sanding and filling joints with a continuous bead of specified sealant as work progresses to make a weather tight joint. Carefully monitor ambient temperatures at time of installation to prevent excessive expansion and contraction of balustrade system during sealant application.
    4. Do not field cut baluster rails or newel post where the finish cannot be field restored. Installer may repair small unnoticeable finish repairs with manufacturer’s supplied colored gel-coat patching material.
    5. Countersink all exposed fasteners and repair with manufacturer’s supplied colored gel-coat patching material. Repairs shall be made with care to be undetectable.
  3. ALLOWABLE TOLERANCES FOR INSTALLED UNITS
    1. Maximum offset from True Alignment: 1/4 inch in 20 feet.
    2. Maximum Variation from True Position: 1/2 inch in 20 feet.
  4. CLEANING
    1. Clean installed architectural fiberglass balustrade system using cleaning methods and material approved by manufacturer.
  5. PROTECTION OF INSTALLED FABRICATIONS
    1. Comply with manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions for protecting installed balustrade system during construction activities.

Download
Drawings and Specifications

Fiberglass Cornice PDF
Fiberglass Balusters

(774 KB)

Fiberglass Cornice PDF
Baluster Details

(365 KB)

FRP Cornice DWG
Fiberglass Balusters

(579 KB)

FRP Cornice DWG
Balustrade Details

(114 KB)

FRP Cornice Word
Fiberglass Baluster Specifications

(50 KB)

Fiberglass Cornice PDF
Fiberglass Balusters

(774 KB)

Fiberglass Cornice PDF
Baluster Details

(365 KB)

FRP Cornice DWG
Fiberglass Balusters

(579 KB)

FRP Cornice DWG
Balustrade Details

(114 KB)

FRP Cornice Word
Fiberglass Baluster Specifications

(50 KB)