page_title: Parapet
section_title: Parapet types
hierarchical_section_title: Parapet / Parapet types
caption_attribution_description: English: en:BP Pedestrian Bridge showing absence of en:handrails
context_page_description: A parapet is a barrier that is an extension of the wall at the edge of a roof, terrace, balcony, walkway or other structure. The word comes ultimately from the Italian parapetto. The German equivalent Brüstung has the same meaning. Where extending above a roof, a parapet may simply be the portion of an exterior wall that continues above the edge line of the roof surface, or may be a continuation of a vertical feature beneath the roof such as a fire wall or party wall. Parapets were originally used to defend buildings from military attack, but today they are primarily used as guard rails and to prevent the spread of fires.
  In the Bible the Hebrews are obligated to build a parapet on the roof of their houses to prevent people falling.
context_section_description: Parapets may be plain, embattled, perforated or panelled, which are not mutually exclusive terms.
  Plain parapets are upward extensions of the wall, sometimes with a coping at the top and corbel below.
  Embattled parapets may be panelled, but are pierced, if not purely as stylistic device, for the discharge of defensive projectiles.
  Perforated parapets are pierced in various designs such as circles, trefoils, or quatrefoils.
  Panelled parapets are ornamented by a series of panels, either oblong or square, and more or less enriched, but not perforated. These are common in the Decorated and Perpendicular periods.
caption: A modern parapet with electric lights functions as a guard rail along the BP Pedestrian Bridge in Chicago.
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