nope, the correct label would be guard system.
The code is the code, not what you think it is, the IRC & IBC require guards. The structural loads require the loads to transfer through the guard system.
Don't change the name to what you think it is, just like the code does not require guards to have posts. The code does not care how you secure it with or without posts, it cares that the structure holds it in place and anything below the top of the guard is infill.
The problem with your thinking is you are putting a label on it that is not defined to a specific section of the code and expecting those reading it to interpret your thoughts. Why complicate things and try to justify using undefined terms in conjunction, that are not within the code language.
The code states
- A guard is a guard period
- Can be required or not (2 different labels)
- A handrail is a handrail period
- Can be required or not (2 different labels)
- Edge protection is edge protection period
- required for ramps with a rise over....
- Infill is infill period
- Infill can be required or not required
- Required, when a guard is required
- Not require for non-required guards
- Never required in handrails
Terminology is everything, why design professionals want to call things what they want and not what the code has DEFINED them as, is beyond me, but 95% of the problems I am called in on to correct are always issues which have escalated because the DP used the non-defined terms you are trying to defend.
If you want rails in the guard, then the guard will be constructed by the following system of interconnecting rails.
Keep making up stuff in a world that keeps wanting specifics is a rabbit hole with meeting an unpleasant destiny.