Fixings for a 10kg metal handrail

[thlreid]

I'm in the process of making a mild steel handrail for a flight of stairs and before i finalise the design I need to decide whether to use thrubolts, shield/sleeve anchors or some other method. The handrail is approx 4m long, just under a metre of which is at the horizontal before the straight descent down the staircase. It is only a mild steel tube, but with decorative finishes will weigh approx 10kgs. I have incorporated space for 5 brackets which fix directly onto the brickwork.

Whilst the load is not as heavy as say a kitchen cabinet or plasma TV, I need to ensure that the fixings will hold when and if required. Is there some sort of formula which calculates weight distribution to appropriate fixings. I have a stock of 10 x 100 Thrubolts, or 10 x 75 M8 sleeve anchors, and also a box of Multi Monti's which have proved very reliable, but not used in this sort of situation.

Can anyone help or advise? Much appreciated Liz

[The Natural Philosopher]

I have had the best success with using car body filler in over sized holes - drill and use normal wood screws.

The weight is irrelevant - its how much pull it gets from people grabbing on to it.

That's why I like a gap filing resin rather than expansion bolt...those can and do gradually work loose. The resin is a bit more resilient.

[Richard Conway]

Not a direct answer to your question, but a point worth making, is that its not just the weight of the handrail that needs to be considered, but the extra weight of the people leaning on it should also be taken into account. Maybe even worth considering the possibility of somebody tripping on the stairs and supporting most of their weight on the rail.

[thlreid]

Thanks for your answers so far. I had planned to epoxy the sleeve anchors, or whatever I use, into the brick work, hopefully minimising any possibility of movement. But I am concerned about the ability of the fixing to hold the weight of the handrail and person if and when required. BS6399 Loading for Buildings has a section for dead and imposed loads but I still can't find any recommendations on the size of fixing/bolt i need to use to make the structure safe. I'm hoping that with 100mm of the Thrubolt into the brickwork this will be adequate, but its not something I want to take a chance on!

[john2]

Having recently tripped and grabbed an disabled-style handrail on someone's wacky front door steps, the "accidental" load is more important. I grabbed the rail and pulled it right off the wall, complete with a full set of six skimpy plastic wall plugs about 1.5" long.

I can't find any building regs. Should a hand rail be strong enough to resist the strongest one-handed pull a normal person can apply. 50 kg ?

john2