Functional Part: Handrail

Name

Handrail

Identifier

fp_handrail

Overview

This functional part defines the requirements for modeling and exchanging handrail information in a highway BIM environment. Handrails provide pedestrian support and fall protection along stairs, ramps, retaining walls, and bridge structures. ADA compliance for height, clearance, and gripping surface is critical for accessibility.

Results

Purpose

The purpose of this functional part is to standardize the exchange of handrail information between design tools and accessibility verification systems, enabling ADA compliance verification for height and clearance, integration with pedestrian facilities (ramps, stairs, bridges), structural load requirements for handrail design, and quantity extraction for fabrication and installation.

Concepts

Information Needed Entity/Pset/Functional Part MAN REC OPT NOT
Handrail type classification Pset_HandrailFeatures.HandrailType IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLabel X      
Handrail height dimension Pset_HandrailGeometry.HandrailHeight IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcPositiveLengthMeasure X      
Material specification Pset_HandrailFeatures.MaterialType IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLabel   X    
ADA compliant indicator Pset_HandrailFeatures.ADACompliant IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcBoolean   X    
Unique identifier for handrail element IfcCivilElement.GlobalId IfcGloballyUniqueId X      
Object identification code Pset_Identification.ObjectID IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLabel X      
Feature designation code Pset_Identification.FeatureID IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLabel   X    
Feature description text Pset_Identification.FeatureDescription IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcText   X    
Survey feature code Pset_Identification.SurveyFeatureCode IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLabel   X    
Referenced alignment identifier Pset_AlignmentDataLinear.AlignmentIDReference IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLabel X      
Referenced corridor identifier Pset_AlignmentDataLinear.CorridorIDReference IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLabel X      
Begin station value Pset_AlignmentDataLinear.StationBegin IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLengthMeasure X      
Begin station offset Pset_AlignmentDataLinear.StationOffsetBegin IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLengthMeasure X      
End station value Pset_AlignmentDataLinear.StationEnd IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLengthMeasure X      
End station offset Pset_AlignmentDataLinear.StationOffsetEnd IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLengthMeasure X      
Reference point location Pset_AlignmentDataLinear.ReferencePointLocation IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLabel X      
State plane northing coordinate at begin Pset_StatePlaneCoordinatesLinear.NorthingBegin IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLengthMeasure   X    
State plane easting coordinate at begin Pset_StatePlaneCoordinatesLinear.EastingBegin IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLengthMeasure   X    
State plane northing coordinate at end Pset_StatePlaneCoordinatesLinear.NorthingEnd IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLengthMeasure   X    
State plane easting coordinate at end Pset_StatePlaneCoordinatesLinear.EastingEnd IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLengthMeasure   X    
LRS postmile begin value Pset_LRSDataLinear.PostmileBegin IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLengthMeasure     X  
LRS postmile end value Pset_LRSDataLinear.PostmileEnd IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLengthMeasure     X  
LRS route identifier Pset_LRSDataLinear.LRSRouteID IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcLabel     X  
GPS latitude at begin Pset_GPSCoordinatesLinear.LatitudeBegin IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcReal     X  
GPS longitude at begin Pset_GPSCoordinatesLinear.LongitudeBegin IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcReal     X  
GPS latitude at end Pset_GPSCoordinatesLinear.LatitudeEnd IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcReal     X  
GPS longitude at end Pset_GPSCoordinatesLinear.LongitudeEnd IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcReal     X  
GPS control point reference Pset_GPSCoordinatesLinear.GPSControlPoints IfcPropertySingleValue::IfcText     X  

Examples

Example 1: Pedestrian Bridge Handrail ADA Compliance

Use Case: Model handrails for pedestrian bridge crossing highway with ADA-compliant height and extensions.

Scenario: A pedestrian overpass requires dual handrails (both sides) meeting ADA requirements for height (34-38 inches), gripping surface, and horizontal extensions at ramp landings.

Data Flow:

  1. Structural designer models bridge structure with pedestrian walkway
  2. Architect adds handrails with ADA-compliant geometry
  3. Handrail data exported with height, material, and compliance flags
  4. Accessibility consultant verifies ADA compliance in coordinated model

Key Information Exchanged:

  • Handrail type: “Aluminum railing system, ADA-compliant”
  • Height: 36 inches (midpoint of 34-38” ADA range)
  • Gripping diameter: 1.5 inches
  • Extensions: 12 inches beyond top/bottom of ramp
  • ADA compliant: Yes