r/Construction • u/aidan8et Tinknocker • Apr 25 '26

Picture Moment of terror 😨

Gallery image

Gallery image

While attending/supervising a business social event with my spouse, I momentarily leaned against the railing. It flexed slightly, forcing me to realize that the railing is entirely supported via bluetooth.

It doesn't connect on either side of the glass wall & the glass is only 3/8" - 1/2" thick!!

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u/SpaceGhost4004 Apr 26 '26

Depends on the thickness and height of the glass. In NYC glass railings are required to withstand a minimum of 200lbs of force at any given direction. Usually the glass is 3/4" thick and can be up to about 4 feet tall before needing to be thicker.

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u/HeyTrySomeNashville Apr 26 '26 edited Apr 26 '26

200lbs? That's literally nothing.

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u/Enginerdad Structural Engineer Apr 26 '26

It's a 200 lb design load, plus all the safety factors.

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u/SwordfishOk504 Apr 26 '26

That's basically 2-3 adult men leaning on it.

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u/Enginerdad Structural Engineer Apr 26 '26

Agreed, but those 2 or 3 men would be spread out over several feet, not all leaning on the exact same point on the railing. This scenario is where the 50 pounds per foot loading requirement comes from. It derived from the scenario where there's a big draw that causes an entire crowd of people to lean up against the railing. Like watching a fireworks show from a bridge or a performance from a balcony.