Update from NADRA’s Code Committee: 

You may have read this last week in our release revealing these new rules or criteria changes from ICC, however we feel it is necessary that we get the word out about these changes once more; and help bring clarity to the subject. This is an overhaul to AC-273 with big changes. These changes require manufactures and testing agencies alike to alter their testing methods to additional trials such as resembling “worse-case scenarios” to calculating scores with a grander safety factor. We urge everyone to take the time and get to know what is required; and contact your testing agency on how these changes will affect your railing (guardrail) program.  In addition, many in the industry have been discussing the likelihood that similar changes may be impending to AC-174; if you have any information on this please contact the NADRA code committee.

Your NADRA Code Committee has posted the statements of both NTA and ADI (Intertek) . See attached statements below:

Significant changes to ICC-ES AC273 for Handrail and Guards by NTA. Click to enlarge. 

Significant changes for metal guardrails ICC-EC acceptance criteria (Ac273) for metal guards by Intertek. Click to enlarge.