Guard rail

Guard rail, guardrails, or protective guarding, in general, are a boundary feature and may be a means to prevent or deter access to dangerous or off-limits areas while allowing light and visibility in a greater way than a fence. Common shapes are flat, rounded edge, and tubular in horizontal railings, whereas tetraform spear-headed or ball-finialled are most common in vertical railings around homes. Park and garden railings commonly in metalworking feature swirls, leaves, plate metal areas and/or motifs particularly on and beside gates. High security railings (particularly if in flat metal then a type of palisade) may instead feature jagged points and most metals are well-suited to anti-climb paint. A handrail is less restrictive on its own than a guard rail and provides support. Guardrails also apply in a technology context. A Guard rail is a barrier or stationary fence that is designed for the purpose of fall protection. It functions by preventing people from stepping over the edges of roads. Road Barriers and Fences are designed so that dangerous spaces on the sides of roads are prevented from accessing. They are declared as off-limits areas while permitting light and visibility. Fences avert automobiles from tumbling off cliffs or running off the road or on the opposite side. Guard Rails or Fences can also be used as momentary barriers to channel traffic in the chosen direction. Many public spaces are fitted with guard rails as a means of protection against accidental falls. Any abrupt change in elevation where the higher portion is accessible makes a fall possible. Due to this responsibility and liability, rails are placed to protect people using the premises. Guardrails in the US are generally required by code where there is a drop of or more. Examples of this are both architectural and environmental. Environmental guard rails are placed along hiking trails where adjacent terrain is steep. Railings may also be located at scenic overlooks. Guard rails in buildings can be numerous, and are required by building codes in many circumstances.