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We’ve worked with a lot of builders and developers, but when Forte Group gets in touch, we know the expectations will be high. Their projects are sharp, fast-moving, and built with architectural intent, so there’s no room for compromise. You either deliver with accuracy, or you don’t get the repeat call.
This handrail package was one of the most complex and design-sensitive jobs we’ve delivered to date. It involved over 820 metres of architectural stainless steel handrails installed throughout 40 warehouses and dual-occupancy pods, including 125 individual stair flights, all with varying substrate materials. Beyond safety and compliance, these handrails needed to function as a visual feature, a permanent part of the building’s architectural identity.
From the first call, we knew we’d need to lead every stage. That meant managing design, developing custom mounting systems, fabricating in-house, and installing with precision. We also had to solve for finish quality, structural consistency, and DDA compliance across every component.
In the sections ahead, I’ll walk through how we approached the job, what we delivered, and why it stood out, not just for the volume, but for the level of detail behind every fix.
We were engaged to deliver a full architectural handrail package for Forte Group’s commercial development in Campbellfield. This included design, fabrication, and on-site installation. In total, the project involved over 820 lineal metres of 316-grade stainless steel handrail, with 120 metres allocated to high-visibility architectural areas including dual-occupancy pods and mezzanine walkways.
The installation covered 40 warehouses and 125 stair flights, each with its own substrate condition. Some stairs were built into concrete, others into steel or blockwork, which required custom mounting systems designed specifically for this build. We developed exclusive architectural wall mounts and hardware to ensure a consistent, secure result across every flight.
This wasn’t your standard compliance-only job. The handrails were designed to be part of the building’s identity. They needed to meet AS 1428 accessibility standards, but they also had to look sharp, align with architectural intent, and withstand constant visibility and use.
The challenge was not just about volume or material. It was about ensuring that a DDA-compliant system could also function as a permanent architectural feature.
| Detail | Specification |
| Client | Forte Group |
| Location | 75–135 Bolinda Rd, Campbellfield VIC |
| Scope of Work | Design, fabricate, and install handrails |
| Total Length | 820 lineal metres |
| Material | 316-grade stainless steel |
| Tube Dimensions | 38mm diameter, 1.6mm wall thickness |
| Finish | 320 satin polish |
| Delivery Timeline | 3 months |
| Project Complexity | Multiple substrates across site zones |
On a job like this, drawings don’t just guide fabrication. They prevent site problems. For this project, we completed all shop drawings in-house using SolidWorks, allowing us to control accuracy, spot conflicts early, and build compliance directly into the layout.
The architectural warehouses/pods were anything but standard. We were dealing with more than 125 individual staircases and a wide range of substrates, from cast-in-situ concrete to blockwork and steel framing. That meant we couldn’t rely on generic fixing methods. Each connection needed to be detailed precisely to suit the structure behind it.
During drafting, we developed a suite of custom bracket designs and exclusive stainless steel wall mounts. These were engineered to distribute loads within AS 1657-2018 effectively and match the architectural finish, all while maintaining full accessibility under AS 1428.1. Every dimension, from post spacing to wall clearance, was modelled with installation and long-term performance in mind.
Because the drawings were created by the same team that would build and install the system, every detail was constructible. This removed ambiguity on-site, reduced RFIs, and gave our install crew a clear path from day one.
Once the drawings were finalised, fabrication of steel handrails began in full. Every handrail section was produced in-house using 316-grade stainless steel, selected for its durability, corrosion resistance, and suitability for architectural environments. Across more than 800 metres of material, maintaining accuracy and finish quality was critical.
We used CNC tube bending to ensure consistent geometry, particularly across stair flights and curved returns. TIG welding provided clean, controlled joins that held both visually and structurally.
To ensure every section met our standards before installation, we followed a disciplined workshop process
Every component was finished to a 320-grit satin polish, suitable for high-traffic and exposed applications. The result was a handrail package that not only looked sharp but was structurally ready to install with zero modification required on site.
Our install team mobilised on-site with fabrication complete and QA signed off. The system had been fully prepared to match the conditions of each zone, including concrete stairs, blockwork walls, and structural steel landings. Because we had already designed custom bracketry and mounting hardware during the drafting phase, our crew was able to begin installation without delay.
We rolled out the job in stages across 40 warehouse units and within dual-occupancy pods, working around multiple trades and live access constraints. Clear documentation and accurate prefabrication meant each handrail section arrived labelled, sized, and ready to fit.
Substrate-specific mounting was handled using the exclusive stainless steel wall mounts and fixings we developed in-house. These allowed us to achieve consistent finishes and compliant offsets across over 125 stair flights, all without improvisation.
Because installation was planned as carefully as fabrication, there were no cutbacks or site modifications. The job moved cleanly from area to area, aligning with the builder’s program and staying on track with site access requirements.
By the time the final section went in, we had delivered a full architectural stainless system that fit the first time, met code, and didn’t hold up any part of the build.
Compliance was not something we left until the end. From the first drawing to the final fix, this project was built around the requirements of AS 1428.1. We accounted for offsets, rail heights, returns, and grip dimensions during design and maintained those same tolerances through fabrication and installation.
Each handrail section was pre-checked against compliance requirements in the workshop. Visual inspections were conducted on every weld and transition, ensuring nothing left the floor unless it met both structural and aesthetic standards.
Once on site, our team carried out final alignment and clearance checks during installation. We verified that every handrail met the required height and offset, especially in transition areas like landings and stair returns.
To protect long-term performance, we also enforced strict carbon steel segregation protocols throughout production. This included isolated tooling, dedicated polishing equipment, and stainless-only assembly stations. The goal was not just to meet compliance today but to prevent corrosion or finish failures down the track.
By the time the project was handed over, every component had passed inspection, met code, and aligned with the architectural vision of the development.
DDA-compliant handrails are designed to meet the accessibility requirements set out in AS 1428 and the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) in Australia. These standards ensure safe and usable access for people with disabilities. In commercial and public infrastructure projects, non-compliance can delay occupancy certificates, fail inspections, or risk legal issues, so it’s critical to get it right from the start.
For this project, we fabricated and installed 820 lineal metres of stainless steel handrail in just three months. Timelines depend on project scale, design complexity, and material availability, but with Mechcon’s in-house drafting, fabrication, and installation teams, we’re able to deliver on time without compromising finish or compliance.
We work with project managers, graduate engineers, commercial builders, and government contractors. Our typical projects involve public infrastructure, commercial access upgrades, and high-spec new builds, often where DDA compliance and deadlines are non-negotiable.
This project was a showcase of what happens when stainless handrails are treated as both a compliance solution and a design feature. We delivered over 820 metres of 316-grade stainless steel, including 120 metres through architectural pods, across 40 warehouses and 125 stair flights. Every part of the job was handled in-house, from SolidWorks drafting to fabrication and on-site installation.
Custom mounting systems, exclusive stainless wall brackets, and finish consistency were all built into the plan. The result was a DDA-compliant system that not only passed inspection but stood out as part of the building’s architecture.
We didn’t wait until installation to solve problems. We built the answers into the drawings, the QA, and the process that brought it together.
If your next build calls for stainless handrails that need to meet code, hold their finish, and fit the first time, reach out to our team. We’ll help you deliver it without compromise.
