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CROSS Safety Report

Incorrect fabrication of balustrade connection

Report ID: 851 Published: 6 April 2023 Region: CROSS-UK


Overview

A reporter describes how threaded bars were incorrectly used for a balustrade fixing instead of bolts which led to failure of the connection. 

Key Learning Outcomes

For the construction team:

  • Any alterations to structural connections should be approved by the designer prior to works being carried out on site
  • Quality control and competent supervision along with a well documented inspection regime on site can help to ensure that structural components are built in accordance with the design
  • Consider introducing a quality control procedure for the inspection of safety critical elements being delivered to ensure they are the correct ones as specified on the construction drawings

Full Report

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The Full Report below has been submitted to CROSS and describes the reporter’s experience. The text has been edited for clarity and to ensure anonymity and confidentiality by removing any identifiable details. If you would like to know more about our secure reporting process or submit a report yourself, please visit the reporting to CROSS-UK page.

 

To satisfy Local Building Control  and replicate the existing aesthetics the balustrade post connection had a hidden detail, says a reporter. The detail consisted of an M12 bolt inside the post, with a non-structural weld to prevent the bolt from turning when tightening the nut.

During installation a bolt was being tightened when a weld cracked and a threaded bar, which was supposed to be a M12 bolt, was revealed. A selection of posts were then destructively tested by cutting the welded post off (Figure 1) and it was found that all posts had been fabricated using M12 threaded bar, instead of an M12 bolt specified in the design.

Image
Figure 1: balustrade baseplate connection

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