Key Clamp Heavy Duty Side Palm, 48.3mm Tube, Galvanised

The heavy duty side palm fixes a 48.3mm guard rail upright flat against a wall, the side of a step or the edge of a ramp or slab, with the post sitting tight to the structure. A broad rectangular palm, 150mm long and 65mm high, bolts to the vertical face through two 18mm holes, and the upright pushes into the closed socket on its face and is locked by two grub screws. It is the stronger alternative to the standard side palm where a guard rail takes more load. It is malleable cast iron with a galvanised finish for indoor and outdoor use. The price shown is for one fitting, with a minimum order of 5.

Why use a heavy duty side palm

Posts off the walking surface. Fixing the uprights to the side of a stair, ramp or platform keeps the full width clear underfoot and leaves the deck or tread undrilled.

A bigger, stronger fixing. The palm is wider than a standard side palm and takes two 18mm bolts, so it spreads the load from the post across more of the wall and suits bigger anchors.

Tight to the structure. The flush design sets the post just 36mm from the wall face to its centre, so there is no awkward gap between the rail and the edge it protects.

No welding. The upright is held by two grub screws and a hex key, and its height can be set before the screws are tightened. The galvanised finish stands up to outdoor use.

Where it is used

Guard rails fixed to the sides of external steps and ramps, loading dock and bay edges, retaining walls and kerbs, the faces of mezzanine and platform edges, bridge and walkway sides, and any level or sloping rail where the posts must be fixed to a vertical face.

Specifications

Know its limits

The socket is closed, so the post stops inside the fitting and cannot run on below it; if the tube must pass through, the base has to be reamed out, which removes the galvanising inside. The wall must be sound enough to take the anchors, and the anchors must suit the material. No load rating is published; where a guard rail must meet a set load, ask a structural engineer to check the design and fixings.

Which 48.3mm fitting goes where?

How many do you need?

One for each upright. With posts every 1.5 to 2 metres, a 6 metre ramp needs four side palms on each side that is railed.

Choosing the right size

Key clamps are sized by the tube's outside diameter. 48.3mm is standard scaffold tube, often sold as 1½" or 40mm nominal bore. Measure across the tube before ordering: this fitting will not grip 42.4mm or 60.3mm tube. The same heavy duty side palm is made for 33.7mm and 42.4mm tube.

Fitting and care

Hold the palm against the wall at the post position, mark and drill the two holes, and bolt it on so the socket is plumb. Cut the post to length, push it fully into the socket, set the height and tighten both grub screws with a 5/16" hex key. Check the screws and anchors after the first week and once a year after that. Touch up scratched galvanising with zinc-rich paint.

Frequently asked questions

Ordering and delivery

Order 5 or more online, with Express UK Delivery to your site and same-day dispatch on orders before 2pm, Monday to Friday. For a full guard rail kit, call 01744 520 110 or email sales@industrialsuppliesco.co.uk and we will confirm availability and delivery before you order.