BALUSTRADE-VERTICAL-WOOD-METAL-2.5MM-M6

About the cable infill TECNI® designed its Standard Vertical Wire Balustrade system with 2.5mm cable both for strength and aesthetic appeal with minimal maintenance. The majority of the fitting sits inside the top and bottom metal rails to minimise disruption of views.

About the cable infill

TECNI® designed its Standard Vertical Wire Balustrade system with 2.5mm cable both for strength and aesthetic appeal with minimal maintenance. The majority of the fitting sits inside the top and bottom metal rails to minimise disruption of views. 

Suitability and Compliance with Standards

Balustrade Cable Infill Loads: The balustrade cable infill correctly installed at maximum 80mm spacings between each cable have been tested to meet the loading requirements stated in BS 6399-1 Table 4  - Minimum horizontal imposed loads for parapets, barriers and balustrades, etc. A(i) and (ii), B(iii), (iv) and (v), C3(viii) and (ix). Cable infill: Cable infill is designed for a uniformly distributed load of 1.0 kN/m2  (220 pounds per square metre approximately) plus a point load of 0.5 kN (110 pounds approximately). (See Appendix A for more details).  Please ensure railing framework is in compliance with the relevant standard.

TECNI Assembly Part 160.125.002 - each end for Wooden Posts 

TECNI Assembly Part 160.225.002 - each end for Metal Posts 

TECNI Assembly Part 160.225.002 - one end for Metal Posts & one end for Wooden Posts

A 2.5mm Stainless Strand

B Stainless M6 Dome Nut

C Stainless M6 Tension Fitting

D Stainless Swage Ball Fitting

E Brass Insert (M6 Female) for Wooden Posts

Installation tools required 

1 x Drill

1 x 4mm Spanner to tension balustrade fitting into post

1 x 10mm Spanner to tighten and lock off the dome nut

* 1 x 6mm Allen Key 

* 1 x 10mm Drill Bit  (10mm to 10.8mm hole for brass wood insert fitting)

* Only required for brass wood insert

Installation Options

The cable assemblies are supplied ready assembled from our factory for installation into wooden or metal posts.  Recommended installation tools are shown below (not supplied).

Drill Sizes for Wood

For wood insert use a 10mm diameter wood drill for the brass insert.  Minimum Drill depth into wood = 22mm. This allows clearance for the stop ferrule at the end of the thread. Screw brass insert into the wood using a 6mm a/f Allen Key.

Drill Sizes for Metal

For metal use a 5mm diameter drill and tap the metal M6x1 standard metric pitch.  Minimum wall thickness for direct thread tapping is 3mm otherwise use M6 rivnuts in thinner box section or tube.

FAQS

What measurement do I need to give to get cable assemblies manufactured?

Measure the inside faces of the top and bottom rail that you want to infill with the cables - see Figure 1 below.

How much tension is sufficient?

The infill cables are designed for a maximum infill opening height of 1 metre.  Tension the cables to ensure that the gap between two cables cannot be deflected to more than 95mm.  This will compensate for any constructional stretch over time that could increase the deflection to the 100mm allowable limit.  There is no need to tension the cables more than this.

How do I tension the cables?

Wind the stainless tension fitting (part C above) into the brass wood insert for wooden material or the pre-tapped M6 hole/M6 Rivet Nut in steel material as equally as possible each end until sufficient tension is achieved.  Don’t try to twist the cable, just the tension fitting.  Lock off the tensioned fittings using the M6 Dome Nut.

What are the maximum spacings allowed between cables?

Due to natural deflection of wire, TECNI recommends maximum spacings of 80mm between vertical wires. 

For installation into wooden posts, use the brass wood insert supplied.  Drill a 10mm pilot hole a minimum of 22mm depth and screw the insert into the wood using a 6mm allen key until the top of the insert is flush with the top of the rail.  The additional drill depth is to allow for clearance of the stop ferrule above the threaded terminal.

For installation into hollow section metal posts ensure that there is sufficient M6x1 female metric thread to engage as much thread as possible but at least three full threads.  If this cannot be achieved then you should use an M6 rivnut in compatible material for the post i.e. brass or stainless for stainless posts or zinc plated for galvanised posts.

How much tension is in each cable?

When tensioned to allow a maximum deflection of 95mm between cables at the central point there is approximately 70 kgf (0.68 kN) to 80 kgf (0.78 kN) in each cable.

How strong is each cable?

Each TECNI factory manufactured assembly has a tensile strength in excess of 300 kgf (2.94kN). 

Will the cables stretch?

There will be minimal constructional stretch in each cable but this will not produce a noticeable slackening of the cables in lengths up to 1 metre.

Long term maintenance

All the components are manufactured from highly corrosion resistant materials.

Maintenance is minimal. Simply wash with soap and water if necessary and if required, the cables can easily be re-tensioned in just a few minutes without specialist tooling. 

What is the maximum thread depth that can go into an M6 dome nut?

9mm

Please advise dimension "L" which is the distance between the inside faces of the top and bottom rails of the balustrade frame.  Maximum internal length for this cable infill system is 1 metre.

Data Sheet

Video