Fortitude Ready To Install Steel Railings Installation Guide

Ready to Install Steel Railings
Installation Guide

Our Fortitude™ range of ready-to-install railings and gates include a choice of 5 railheads and easy, trouble free installation.
These systems come in galvanised or polyster black but can also be powder coated to any RAL colour of your choice. This instruction manual will show you how to cut down standard Fortitude panels to bespoke sizes to fit your installation.

Disclaimer: Please note, that we cannot give accurate measurements on cutting instructions as we do not know the exact situation of installation. F.H. Brundle holds no  responsibility for any errors made in installation and we advise you take caution in installation.

WHICH FENCING IS BEST FOR YOU?

Designed for quick installation and low maintenance, our ready-to-install range of Fortitude™ railings is sure to provide the perfect solution to your requirements. We have  both bolt down and concrete in options available.
Our standard finish is hot dipped galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461 to ensure long-lasting protection. Our Fortitude railings are also offered in PPC black* for the complete  finish.
Bow Top fencing is a traditional design which can turn a perimeter fence into an attractive feature. It is often seen in public & recreation areas as well as domestic properties,  combining security and safety with aesthetics. It is both economical and durable and has a pleasing appearance.
Whatever your fencing needs, check out our modern Sphere Top, simple Vertical Bar design, traditional Fleur-de-Lis, elegant Forest, and our contemporary and the elegant  Flame design.
To complement our range of Fortitude ready to install steel fencing and gates, we have introduced a range of stunning Wall Top Railings that will help create a stylish  boundary and add kerbside appeal and security to any property. The railings can also be used around gardens to form a perimeter boundary, helping to keep children and pets safe.
Matching single and double leaf gates are also available.
Customers who prefer a special colour can have our galvanised finish powder coated to any RAL or BS colour. Our galvanised gates and railings can also be painted in a  range of colours with our vinyl paints for a long-lasting, low maintenance finish. See our Paint Brochure for more information. For that extra special touch, our Patinas can  also be used highlight the railheads.

POSTS

Concrete-In Posts

Wall Top Railings Between Pillars

WALL TOP RAILINGS

Wall Top Panels

Posts

Cleats & Brackets

Bolts, Nuts & Washers

Paints

Postcrete

0.9 – 1.8m RAILINGS

Panels

Posts

Cleats & Brackets

Bolts, Nuts & Washers

FOR A RANGE OF PAINTS SEE PAGE 6

CUT TO SIZE PANELS

It is important to consider, when designing your fencing system, how you would like the finish product to look. Would you like to use a full panel with a make up panel, or  would you prefer even panels with even post centres? Below will show examples of how to achieve different looks depending on how you have cut your panel.

Single panel cut at one or both ends

Advantages:
– Can fit bespoke measurements
Disadvantages:
– Need to cut down the panel

Fence with two panels with one end cut short

Advantages:
– Less waste
– Only need to cut down one panel
Disadvantages:
– Uneven appearance

Fence with two panels and both ends cut short

Advantages:
– Equal and even panels
– Equal post centres
Disadvantages:
– Needs more cutting of panels

Fence with three panels, two ends cut short and a full panel in the middle

Advantages:
– Equal and even appearance
– Makes use of full panel that does not need to be cut down
Disadvantages:
– Needs more cutting of panels

Description	Symbol	Information
Hacksaw		Hacksaw with appropriate blade tool for cutting steel, or an angle grinder with a steel cutting
Electric or Cordless Drill
Steel Drill Bits		6mm drill bit – for pilot holes
		10mm drill bit – for intermediate holes
		12mm drill bit – final size hole
Tape Measure
Marker or Centre Punch		Marker for the new hole centres or a Centre Punch for marking hole positions
Spanner		Spanner for bolts or pair to hole in place or pair of mole grips
Steel File		Steel file for any sharp edges
Touch Up Paints		Touch up paints, with prime and topcoat if applicable. Both aerosols and brush applicable
PPE		Always wear appropriate PPE including eye protection and gloves

Measure the length you require, decide the best way to cut it down and mark the panel in the correct place(s).	Please note that this may be from one end or split between both ends, depending on the position of the bars, number of panels, or the appearance required.
Use a hacksaw (with a suitable steel blade) or angle grinder (with a steel cutting disc) to cut to the panel to the correct length.	Remove any sharp edges with a file.
Measure the position to the centre of the new holes and use a centre punch if  available, to mark the centre point. These should be (?) from the end of the frame)	Drill 6mm pilot holes
Drill through the pilot hole with an intermediate drill bit	Drill though with the final size 12mm drill bit.
Treat the bare metal with a cold galvanising paint, then use touch up paint or spray  to touch up the cut ends of the panel and the holes that have been drilled. Apply several coats. Allow to dry.	Fix the cleats and appropriate bolts to the posts.
Assemble the railing panel(s) to the wall or posts using the cleats and appropriate bolts.	Touch up the bolt heads and nuts and check the work for any scratches caused by installation

MATCHING SINGLE GATES

Our Fortitude™ range of ready-to-install gates and fencing panels include a choice of 5 railheads in heights of 0.9 or 1.2m. To complement this fencing, our wall top option is  also available in all 5 styles and we offer standard bow tops in a choice of heights and bar diameter. These systems provide easy, trouble free installation and are available in galvanised or PPC black but can also be powder coated to any RAL colour of your choice.

General Gate Specifications

• Galvanised or PPC black RAL 9005
• To Suit 0.9 or 1.2m fence height
• Concrete-in or bolt-down posts
• Ø 12mm bar
• Tip latch
• Security collars to stop removal of gates

Additions for Single Leaf Gates

• Gates open inwards 105°
• Reversible gate latch

Bolt-Down Single Leaf Gate

MATCHING SINGLE GATES

Concrete-In Single Leaf Gate

MATCHING DOUBLE GATES

General Gate Specifications

• Galvanised or PPC black RAL 9005
• To Suit 0.9 or 1.2m fence height
• Concrete-in or bolt-down posts
• Ø12mm bar
• Tip latch
• Security collars to stop removal of gates

Additions for Double Leaf Gates

• Gates open inwards & outwards 105°
• Double leaf gates supplied with drop bars
• All double leaf gates are lockable

Bolt-Down Double Leaf Gate

MATCHING DOUBLE GATES

Concrete-In Double Leaf Gate

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

What is Galvanising?
The process of hot-dip galvanising is used to greatly prolong the life of mild steel. It is the best form of rust protection. The steel product will be taken to a galvanising plant  where it will be degreased, rinsed, cleaned, rinsed again, fluxed, dried, galvanised and quenched to produce an extremely hard wearing finish which requires virtually no  maintenance. It is the process of coating steel with a thin zinc layer, by passing the steel through a molten bath of zinc at a temperature of around 460 °C (860 °F). When  exposed to the atmosphere, pure zinc reacts with oxygen to form zinc oxide, which then reacts with carbon dioxide to form zinc carbonate, a dull grey, fairly strong material  that stops further corrosion in many circumstances, protecting the steel below from the elements.
For further information about galvanising please contact the Galvanisers Association by telephone on 0121 355 8838 or visit https://www.galvanizing.org.uk

Alternative finishes for applying onto galvanised steel
Hot dipped galvanised mild steel can be successfully over-coated with both paint and powder for a variety of colours and paint effects.
Painting
Paints such as Rourke’s ‘Vinylast’, can be directly applied to newly dipped or old galvanised steel and can be highlighted in various ways. This is a low maintenance finish with  a long life expectancy, but which can be easily over-coated if necessary.
If you wish to paint a galvanised steel product please refer to our Paint & Coatings catalogue.
Polyester powder coating
Powder coating companies offer a wide choice of colours. The process must take place off site before installation and offers low maintenance and a long life.

General Maintenance
We would suggest inspecting galvanised steelwork visually once every 12 months. Any damage or areas showing a sign of rust should be touched up by bruh with an  appropriate zinc rich paint. Newly galvanised steelwork will usually have a silver appearance, although as the galvanised surface weathers it will oxidise and become a dull grey.
Galvanised, powder coated, and painted finishes can be washed as required.
We have an excellent range of products for touching up damaged areas of galvanised steelwork. Choose below for your solution to repairing and protecting your metals.
Use our Bright Cold Zinc Galvanise Aerosol code: 2902A or Cold Zinc Galvanise Matt Aerosol code: 2902M for repair coating for galvanized metal. Extremely fast drying  time, allowing for minimal job downtime, high zinc content and supplied with two spray actuators. A jet spray for fast application in windy exterior location and a cone spray  for a more precise application. No undercoat or top coat required.

Please note: Whilst we do our best to advise and guide, it remains the installers responsibility to ensure the final installation complies with any current building regulations and  is securely installed. As we have no knowledge of the location, ground type, or the layout of your system, we would always advise customers to consider these factors and adjust as appropriate.

T 01708 25 35 45
E [email protected]
W www.fhbrundle.co.uk
F.H. Brundle 24-36 Lamson Road, Ferry Lane North, Rainham, Essex RM13 9YY
June 21 – Version 1

References

• The UK's Largest Supplier of Handrailing - F H Brundle
• Galvanizers Association | The Voice of the Galvanizing Industry