Border5 C5 Crowd Loading Balustrade
- No-weld design, no fumes or site shutdowns
- 100% custom designed lengths for any public area
- Manufactured to suit your specific site conditions
- Choice of base plate fixings
- Factory direct, 100% Australian made

Availability:
Lead time 7 to 14 business days from time of order

HEAVY DUTY DESIGNS
FOR CIVIL USE

FACTORY DIRECT,
100% AUSTRALIAN MADE

DELIVERED ANYWHERE
IN AUSTRALIA

CUSTOM LENGTHS FOR
ANY SITE
Outdoor C5 crowd loading balustrades for sports grounds
ENCAT is an Australian manufacturer of custom made C5 crowd loading balustrades. Depending on the building type and expected usage, it is a common requirement for balustrades to be designed to withstand extreme loads. Such loadings are sometimes referred to as crowd loading.
We can custom design and manufacture a balustrade system in Australia to be installed in an arena, grand stand, oval or other location that requires control of large volumes of pedestrian traffic, spectators or visitors that can prevent them from falling.
ENCAT has been supplying crowd loading balustrade systems to councils, schools or building contractors for many years. To meet Australian standards either a C3 or C5 level of strength must be specified for the balustrade. For areas susceptible to over-crowding such as sporting stadiums, grandstands, bars or shopping malls, barrier systems must comply with minimum imposed actions for barriers as per Class C5 of the Australian Standard 1170.1-2002. We manufacture balustrade systems to those standards that can be used indoors or outdoors, including coastal areas where there are harsh weather conditions.
Any balustrade that is installed in a public venue must be able to withstand a particular load strength for its intended application. Depending on the use there will be a loading that is specified for that situation. The C5 crowd loading balustrade is the highest loading that is required when a balustrade is installed in a crowding loading environment.
A C5 crowd loading balustrade is a type of balustrade that is designed and tested to meet specific load requirements for crowds or people gathering in public spaces. In Australia, this type of balustrade is typically used in areas where large numbers of people are expected to gather such as;
Sports stadiums: Large sports stadiums that host events such as football, soccer, rugby, and cricket matches.
Concert halls: Large concert halls that host concerts and other musical performances.
Theatres: Large theatres that host plays, operas, and other theatrical productions.
Convention centres: Large convention centres that host conferences, trade shows, and exhibitions.
Arenas: Multi-purpose arenas that host a range of events, such as sporting events, concerts, and exhibitions.
Exhibition halls: Large halls that host exhibitions, trade shows, and other events.
Cinemas: Large cinemas that host movie screenings and other film-related events.
Shopping centres: Large shopping centres that host events, such as product launches and fashion shows.
Theme parks: Large theme parks that have attractions, rides, and other entertainment options.
Museums: Large museums that host exhibitions and other events.
The term “crowd loading” refers to the weight and pressure that is exerted on the balustrade when a large number of people are leaning against it or pushing on it. A C5 crowd loading balustrade is designed to withstand this pressure and maintain its structural integrity, ensuring the safety of those in the area.
Australian building codes and regulations require that certain public spaces have crowd loading balustrades installed to ensure the safety of the public. These regulations specify the load requirements that the balustrades must meet, and the C5 crowd loading balustrade is one type that meets these requirements.
We manufacture balustrades in our factory in NSW to meet AS1170.1 – Structural Design Actions, Part 1. This Standard is applicable for handrails in areas that are accessible to the general public. It classifies different parts of a building according to location and usage; and assigns a design load to that classification. For example, handrails in theatres & cinemas.
Our balustrade manufacturing factory can custom design a system to suit any new or existing conditions which includes;
- Extra wide posts and base plates.
- Hot dip galvanised parts to prevent deterioration.
- All items made to Australian standards
- Each piece can be painted or powder coated to suit the exterior design style of the space it is being installed into.
Baseplate or inground balustrade design choices
Supplier of outdoor C5 crowd loading balustrades for sports grounds in Australia
- Material: Varies a based on application
- Colour: Varies a based on application
- Weight: Varies based on the application and size
- Lengths: Made to measure for your specific site requirements based on existing conditions.
Examples of our range of balustrade and handrail products installed at various sites
Australian National Construction Code requirements for balustrading
ENCAT has always maintained a strict adherence to meeting or exceeding Australian Standards when we design, develop or manufacture our products. The National Construction Code (NCC) is a uniform set of technical provisions for the design, construction, performance of buildings, plumbing and drainage systems throughout Australia. It is published and maintained by the Australian Building Codes Board, on behalf of and in collaboration with the Australian Government and each State and Territory Government.
When installing commercial balustrades there are certain requirements that must be met to keep people safe in public areas. Below is an excerpt from National Construction Code (NCC) 2014 D2.16 Balustrades or other barriers
(a) A continuous balustrade or other barrier, except for a barrier provided to an openable window covered by D2.24, must be provided along the side of any roof to which public access is provided, any stairway or ramp, any floor, corridor, hallway, balcony, deck, veranda, mezzanine, access bridge or the like and along the side of any delineated path of access to a building, if—
ii it is not bounded by a wall; and
iii its level above the surface beneath, is more than 1 m.
(h) Openings in a balustrade or other barrier must be constructed in accordance with the following:
(ii) For a balustrade or other barrier other than those provided under (c)—
(A) any opening does not permit a 125 mm sphere to pass through it and for stairs, the opening is measured above the nosing line of the stair treads; and
(B) for floors more than 4 m above the surface beneath, any horizontal or near horizontal elements between 150 mm and 760 mm above the floor must not facilitate climbing
3.6 BARRIERS
Barriers, including parapets, balustrades and railings, together with members and connections that provide structural support, shall be designed to sustain the imposed actions given in Table 3.3. The top edge or handrail shall also be designed for the case where a concentrated load of 0.6 kN, positioned for the worst effect, acts inward, outward or downward.
The uniformly distributed line load and the uniformly distributed and concentrated loads applicable to the infill are not additive. They shall be considered as three separate load cases.
Additional information about ENCAT's Australian modular balustrade manufacturing & supply capabilities
ENCAT is one of Australia’s largest designers, manufacturers and suppliers of products used for civil applications and public space installations. Since 1989 we have been designing and manufacturing balustrade or handrail products for outdoor use for councils, national parks, schools, universities and other locations. Our reputation is second to none with our products installed in locations like Venice Beach in Los Angeles, The Blue Mountains in New South Wales and even local national parks like Minamurra Rainforest.
- Custom design and engineering consulting for each balustrade installation.
- New South Wales manufacturing and fabrication with tight quality control.
- Experience working with difficult to access or busy public spaces.
- In-house expertise, design software, tooling and equipment.
See examples of our recent installations we have helped to complete

Partial & full balustrade mounted into sandstone blocks
Partial & full balustrade mounted into sandstone blocks, a fixing method that protected the architectural intent of the landscaping while delivering compliant fall protection.

A regional bus shelter for designated school pick up
Bathurst Regional Council required a bus shelter at a designated school bus pick-up and set-down area servicing children from farming properties along Timber Ridge Road, Wallangs.

Bus shelter upgrades at T3 Domestic Terminal
ENCAT was engaged on the basis of our demonstrated capability to supply structurally certified, DDA-compliant bus shelter infrastructure and the track record we have at Sydney Airport itself having previously supplied shelters of the same design.
Frequently asked questions about Border5 C5 Crowd Loading Balustrade
Does ENCAT manufacture balustrades and handrails in Australia?
Yes ENCAT designs and manufactures everything in NSW. We have a purpose built steel manufacturing facility and use local knowledge and expertise to produce products suitable for local laws or regulations and our conditions.






























