Overview
ISO 3674:1976 - Shipbuilding: Inland vessels - Deck rail defines standard types, basic designs and principal dimensions for deck handrails (garde-corps) used on inland waterway vessels. The standard covers common rail types (tube, trellis/mesh, chain, cable) and their variants (fixed, demountable, foldable) and excludes special-purpose rails (for example rails intended specifically for cargo restraint or timber lashing).
Key topics and technical requirements
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Scope and classification
- Applies to deck rails used on all types of inland navigation vessels.
- Classifies rails by construction: tube, trellis (mesh), chain and cable; each can be fixed, demountable or foldable where applicable.
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Materials and strength
- Steel sections must be made of weldable steel with a minimum strength of 350 N/mm² for all steel rail sections.
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Tube rails
- Construction follows specified component layout and dimensional tables. Typical tube sizes referenced include 33.7 mm (1") and 21.3 mm (1/2") for different elements.
- Mounting choices depend on whether the rail is fixed (ferrure K) or demountable (ferrure L).
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Trellis (mesh) rails
- Two construction variants are specified with corresponding dimensional limits and fixing options.
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Chain rails
- Chains must have a minimum breaking/limit load of 9 kN.
- Chain sag (deflection) must not exceed 50 mm; chain span guidance (max spacing) is illustrated (e.g., up to 2000 mm between supports in the standard diagrams).
- Chains should be suspended with spring hooks or simple hooks and terminate on stanchions (chandeliers) with pegs.
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Cable rails
- Minimum steel cable diameter: 6 mm.
- Typical span ranges shown: 2,000–4,000 mm; for 900 mm rail height a single top cable may be acceptable.
- Cable guides and turnbuckle (ridoirs) arrangements are specified.
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Fixings and fittings
- Fixing types are standardized:
- Ferrure K - rigid (fixed) mounting;
- Ferrure L - demountable mounting;
- Ferrure M - foldable mounting.
- Demountable sections must be easily removed and stowed horizontally; removable sections must include devices to prevent unintended separation. Socket/receiver details (e.g., sockets for 33.7 mm posts made from 42.4 mm tube) are specified.
Applications and users
ISO 3674 is used by:
- Shipbuilders and shipyards constructing inland vessels
- Naval architects and designers specifying deck safety systems
- Classification societies and flag authorities reviewing compliance
- Fabricators, welders and riggers installing deck handrails
- Port operators and safety officers updating vessel safety equipment
Practical benefits include consistent safety performance, interchangeable fittings and clear fabrication/installation guidance for common guardrail systems.
Related standards
For comprehensive ship safety and structural requirements, refer to broader shipbuilding and maritime safety standards and classification rules used by national and international authorities (consult classification societies and current ISO maritime standards for updates or complementary guidance).