When Auckland Transport needed a balustrade solution for the Church St project in Penrose, Onehunga, the Mercury commercial balustrade system was the clear specification choice. Engineered for high-traffic, high-accountability public infrastructure, it's built for exactly this kind of work.

The project

Stainless Welding installed 360 linear metres of Edgesmith's 1.5m high Mercury commercial balustrade panels across the Church St project. It's a strong demonstration of what the Mercury system is built for. Demanding public environments where safety, longevity, and consistent performance are non-negotiable.

Getting the right product into the right application from the outset meant the installation team could focus on delivery, and Auckland Transport could be confident in the outcome.

Engineered for commercial performance

The Mercury is purpose-built for commercial environments. Premium 6063-T5 aluminium extrusions form the backbone of the system, with a robust 50 x 40mm top rail featuring internal stiffening webs that deliver exceptional rigidity, even when raking up to 30 degrees on uneven terrain. The 25mm SHS pickets are fixed via Edgesmith's patented mechanism, providing superior structural integrity without compromise.

Meeting the New Zealand Building Code

The Mercury carries a formal Producer Statement (PS1) confirming compliance with NZBC clauses B1 (Structure) and F4 (Safety from Falling), in accordance with NZS 3604:2011. Barrier components have been independently verified to meet AS/NZS 1170.1:2002 loadings.

The PS1 is accepted by all Building Consent Authorities across New Zealand, including Auckland Council. That means less friction at the consent stage and greater certainty for everyone involved.

The Mercury Commercial system covers occupancy categories A, B, E, and C3 under AS/NZS 1170.1:2002, including transport infrastructure, parks, schools, commercial buildings, and multi-unit residential. At the Church St project, the 1.5m panel height comfortably addresses the barrier height requirements for the transport infrastructure context.

Durability built into the specification

All Mercury components meet the NZBC B2.3.1(b) requirement of 15 years' minimum durability, assuming reasonable maintenance. For a coastal city like Auckland, corrosion zone requirements matter. The Mercury is specified across NZBC corrosion zones C2, C3, and C4, with 304 stainless steel fasteners required within 500m of the sea.

The PS1 includes a full inspection and maintenance schedule: six-monthly wash-downs of all exposed metalwork and a 10-yearly check of panels, posts, and fixings for corrosion. That schedule is designed to be included in O&M manuals and handed to owners and building managers, providing a clear record of ongoing obligations over the life of the installation.

Built to last

Code compliance sets the floor. The Mercury performs well above it. The patented picket fixing mechanism eliminates the movement and loosening that can occur in lesser systems over time, while the powder-coated aluminium construction holds its performance and appearance through New Zealand's variable coastal and urban conditions.

360 metres installed and performing across a live Auckland Transport project is a strong endorsement of the Mercury's place in New Zealand's commercial and public infrastructure landscape.