The FINesse Fin-Rail Balustrade System is suitable for use as a barrier on buildings where handrails or balustrades are required to comply with Clause F4 of the NZ Building Code.

It is intended for use in the following applications:

• Exterior and interior locations
• Residential buildings (Housing, Multi-unit dwellings)
• Commercial buildings including offices, schools, apartments, hotels, and public walkways
• Balconies, decks, accessways, stairways, ramps, breezeways, and corridors
• Face-fixed barrier installations using concrete, steel, timber, or engineered framing substrates
• Installations where a semi-screening effect is required while maintaining outward visibility

The system can be used in environments up to C5 and D occupancy classifications when installed in accordance with supplied engineering documentation.

• The system must be installed in accordance with ACMF’s engineering details and fixing specifications.
• The supporting structure must be designed to withstand the loads required by B1/VM1, AS/NZS 1170.0 and AS/NZS 1170.1 for the relevant occupancy type (up to C5 and D where applicable).
• Substrates must be capable of achieving the minimum edge distances, embedment depths, or fixing pull-out capacities specified in the PS1/PS3 documentation.
• The system is not designed to function as a waterproofing or weather-resisting element and must be installed outside of the building’s primary weatherproofing line.
• Fin spacing must follow the engineered configuration supplied by ACMF and must not be altered without approval.
• Maximum allowable spans, fixing centres, and rail configurations must comply with the engineered span tables provided.
• Powder-coated finishes must be selected with consideration of the project’s environmental zone (as per AS 4312 or equivalent).
• Use in corrosive environments (C4/C5 marine, geothermal) may require enhanced coating specifications.

The FINesse Fin-Rail Balustrade System is designed and engineered to meet the performance requirements of the following New Zealand Building Code clauses:

• B1 Structure:
  Complies with B1.3.1, B1.3.2, B1.3.3, and B1.3.4 when installed according to ACMF installation details and structural calculations based on AS/NZS 1170.0, AS/NZS 1170.1, AS/NZS 1170.2, and AS/NZS 1170.5.
• B2 Durability:
  Meets B2.3.1(a) with a minimum 50-year durability requirement when fabricated from 6061-T6 structural aluminium and surface coated per ACMF specifications.
• F2 Hazardous Building Materials:
  Complies. All materials are non-harmful, non-friable, and suitable for occupancy use.
• F4 Safety from Falling:
  The system achieves the required barrier heights and structural loads for the relevant occupancy types including C1, C2, C3, C5, and D classifications, subject to project-specific engineering verification.

Evidence of compliance is provided through structural calculations, engineering producer statements (PS1/PS3), and testing carried out on full-scale assemblies.

This is a new product to market installed and designed by ACMF, established since 2014.