What should the design strength of a guard be able to resist?

The design strength of a guard, such as a guardrail or railing, is essential for ensuring safety in various environments. The requirement for a guard to resist a 200-pound concentrated load is based on safety standards intended to protect individuals from falls or injuries. This specific load is established to account for the potential force exerted by an average adult leaning, pushing, or applying force on the guard.

Setting the requirement at 200 pounds takes into consideration real-life scenarios where a person may accidentally exert this amount of pressure. This ensures that the guard will remain functional and safe during typical use. Additionally, engineering standards often reference this value as a baseline to guarantee that guard systems are built sufficiently robust to handle unanticipated forces and the weight of individuals they are intended to protect.

Other load options may not adequately reflect the safety measures necessary for effective guard design. The choice of 200 pounds aligns with commonly accepted safety practices in construction and design codes relevant to public safety.