Table of contents
- Parapet height as regulated
- aspects into account
- Pay attention to state
- Balcony railing design
- window sills
Parapets are erected to protect against falling from great heights. These should also act as a barrier for slipping through and absorb a shock. The parapet heights are regulated by law depending on the fall height and the minimum height should be observed here in any case. If you build higher, then the aesthetics and the overall impression of the house must also be taken into account.
Parapet height as regulated
Since every opening in the house, for example whether it is a window or a balcony, has a different function, the parapet heights are also different here. Other regulations apply. The most important thing here is optimal security. The height of the parapets can also vary from community to community and should therefore be coordinated with the building authority before building or restoring a house. It is mainly due to the fall height how high the parapet has to be overall. Most federal states regulate this as follows:
- Minimum height generally 80 centimeters
- Fall height under twelve meters: minimum height 90 centimeters
- Fall height of more than twelve meters: parapet height at least 1.10 meters
- Parapet height is measured from the balcony floor
However, the state building regulations regulated in the federal states often prescribe other heights. For example, the minimum height for a fall of less than 12 meters in some federal states is Example in Lower Saxony, one meter, in others the legally prescribed 90 apply Centimeter. Since the railing is always included in the fall height, this also increases with a particularly high balcony railing.
Tip:
The height of the parapet for windows and balconies is always measured according to the finished floor. Therefore, if parquet or stones are later laid on the concrete or screed floor, this floor height must still be taken into account when calculating the parapet.
aspects into account
For your own safety and that of your family, other aspects should also be taken into account when building or restoring a house. Because one meter is not particularly high, even 1.10 meters is often not enough for a fall height of more than twelve meters. When deciding on the height of the parapets for both the windows and the balcony grilles, the following should also be considered:
- small children live in the household
- very tall people live in the household
- old people with walking difficulties
Even fourteen-year-olds can still fall over a parapet if they bend far forward. In such a case, even a 1.10 parapet may still be too low. Elderly people could also stumble and fall over the parapet. Therefore, a parapet can always be selected higher than specified.
Tip:
If the parapet height on a balcony seems too high because you can no longer enjoy the view while sitting, you can also put a glazed front around the balcony. Of course, safety glass must be chosen for this, which cannot break.
Pay attention to state
It is important to know the legal regulations for the parapet heights, especially in which federal state a house is being built or renovated. This is regulated differently from state to state. This is not just about the sheer height, but often also in connection with the material chosen for the parapets. Although the height is measured nationwide between 80/90 cm and 1.10 meters, there can still be differences. Here some examples:
Baden-Wuerttemberg
A solid architectural style stands out here, so a parapet height of 80 centimeters with a depth of 20 centimeters is sufficient, which is often the case with brick parapets. Balustrades made of glass, steel or wood are exempt from this.
Bavaria
In this federal state, the parapet height is mainly regulated according to the use of the house. For example, the parapets in office buildings have to be higher, but they can be lower in residential buildings.
Rhineland-Palatinate
Here the rule applies that the actual parapets for windows and balconies may also be lower, then however, these must be secured in a different way, for example by means of a built-up railing that requires additional height offers.
Tip:
It is particularly important to think about the parapet heights of balconies and windows before building or renovating the house. For example, is it an old house that did not have these building regulations at the time? have applied must be improved in any case so that acceptance by the building authority can take place can.
Balcony railing design
Above all, the design of balcony parapets gives the house its decorative appearance. This aspect should also be considered when building or renovating a house in addition to safety. Because the balcony railings are an integral part of the architecture and can positively influence the appearance of a building through their appearance. Therefore, if the parapets are individually adapted to the house, then the following should be observed:
- always comply with the prescribed minimum dimensions
- use weatherproof material
- glass, metal or stone
- choose transparent material for the vision
- pay attention to the play of light with perforations
Tip:
If children live in the household or maybe some are planned, then when choosing the balustrade on the balcony, you should not only pay attention to the height. Ornate, decorated and wrought-iron slings can injure or children could climb up and, in the worst case, fall.
window sills
The height of the window parapet is also regulated by law. This can be found in regulation Din 5034-4. This regulation provides for the following aspects when installing a window:
- Fall height, height from the ground to the window
- the prescribed minimum size is 80 cm
- whenever the fall height is no more than 12 meters
- from a height of 12 meters, a parapet height of 90 cm is required
- here the measurement is always taken between the finished interior floor and the underside of the window
However, these height specifications are only minimum heights that must be observed. If the windows are installed higher, this is perfectly permissible. Low windows in a ground floor are quite conceivable here. But anyone who has ever looked from the third or fourth floor can imagine how low a 90 cm parapet height can be here, even with a window. Especially if very tall people live in the household.
Tip:
If the minimum dimensions of the parapet heights have been complied with or even exceeded, then something else must be pointed out, especially if small children live in the household. Never leave the children alone on the balcony. No chairs or other small pieces of furniture that are suitable for climbing should be placed near the window or balcony parapet.
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