You design expert asked: do barrier 5 meters, how long the channel to bear?
Through my own experience, you need 10 cm or 12 cm Fang Gang (Pihou requirements GB) as the main girder, the main girder can not be separated, to ensure his strength, if conditions permit can be supported by channel 10 cm at the bottom, so it is very strong, and the spacing between the main girder beams can not exceed 400MM.
With 10 channel (GB) between 800 to 1000 longitudinal horizontal laying, select the 5# angle, the middle span up to 7M without support (pillar). Compares the aspect to the full use of meters. With No. 10 square tube pitch 610--810 survived, white painted with the suitable iron staircase is beautiful. The ceiling also save cost, also there are no pillars stairs is a good point. I think I've seen a picture in the post, is to use local square steel tubes do, sensory or good.
This is a mechanical problem of materials, ah, the barrier specific how the structure ah? Feeling should not only consider the material, but also consider the quality of the installation, such as wall connections should be checked dangerous points, where the maximum bending moment!