Answer 1

No, vent or drain holes in handrails should not be drilled larger than 1/4" during fabrication on the underside of all handrail chords.

Burning is also not recommended.

Comments

Thanks for your input. I have another related question on this subject. Can vent or drain holes (ballast area) be dipped galvanized after drilling or cutting?

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No, that is not recommended. You should not cut or drill vent or drain holes in any of the items to be hot dipped galvanized. Vent and drain holes on items to be installed in the ballast and coated fluid storage tanks should be sealed. However, it does not apply to sounding tubes.

All fabrication, welding, NDE and forming should be completed prior to galvanizing.

Field welding is typically exercised on galvanized pipe only in special circumstances such as welding flanges where the weld damage can be internally repaired from the open end.