Barrier-type road barriers: purpose and types

These designs have seen almost everyone. They are installed along roads in especially dangerous areas in order to separate the carriageway from the curb or exit from bridges. There are also barrier-type pedestrian fences designed to enclose a zone where pedestrians or cyclists can move, completely preventing cars from entering there even if necessary.

Typical fencing dividing lanes on highways

Separately stand out and such structures that are installed directly on the dividing strip. Usually they are installed on highways and highways, which imply greater workload and high speeds.

Kinds

There is a huge number of different types of such fences. All of them differ from each other by the material of manufacture, design, type of strength and depreciation, as well as the purpose and places of installation. It is worth noting that each country has its own parameters for the manufacture and installation of such devices, which have recently begun to boil down to a certain standard.

Tip! Each individual species has its own purpose, and even a specific installation site. Therefore, it should be installed in strict accordance with the instructions. Otherwise, there would be no use for such a design, and perhaps even harm.

One of the options for rigid structures made of concrete

Rigid constructions

Concrete structures or barrier fences of the type 11do and the like are usually referred to this type.

• The installation of such systems is carried out in places where it is necessary to completely prevent the vehicle from crossing the line of separation.
• This is usually done in areas of heavy traffic, dividing both lanes so that when an accident occurs, the problem situation would be only in one direction, thus reducing the scale of damage.
• Also, such barriers are mounted on those. areas where bridges or sharp turns with elevation. This is done so that, if control is lost, the car does not fly out of the road from a great height.
• Sometimes these structures are used for complete overlap of traffic, creating zones free from road transport.

Tip! It is best to use concrete structures to block the road, since they do not require special installation. In standard situations, metal fences are usually used, which are conveniently transported over long distances, easy to install and, if necessary, quickly replaced.

One of the options for cushioning structures for fencing pedestrian areas and public transport stops

Damping structures

Nowadays, the production of barrier-type road barriers, which have a tendency to soften the blow without making a full stop, is rather badly adjusted. It is much easier to install metal structures that are much cheaper and partially comply with the requirements.

 However, it is specifically designed fences that can soften the blow, but do not stop the car immediately, can serve as reliable protection that can not only reduce the damage from an accident, but also save lives for passengers and the driver.

• The most common type of such devices is a metal structure made in the form of a wave profile. Upon impact, it must soften the directional force, which is distributed over the entire area, wasted on the deformation. Such metallic barrier-type road fencing is often installed even on a dividing strip, using double-type constructions.
• One of the most effective designs is considered to be devices made of special plastic or plastic. They have an internal cavity filled with sand or water.
• Separately, it is worth noting the fact that one of the main purposes of these structures is to redirect the uncontrolled car back to the road at a sharp angle of 30 degrees.

Tip! It is believed that this type of device is not sufficiently effective and only creates the appearance of security. However, it has a strictly defined purpose and is not able to cope with the tasks of rigid structures. Therefore, they should be installed only in those places where there is a likelihood that the car will get off the road, but there will be no elevations.

Concrete section of bilateral fencing

Concrete structures

These options fences are quite simple and can be made by hand.

There are a lot of appointments for this type of structure, but they are all limited to the scope of rigid types of barriers.

• The largest blocks are used as roadblocks. Usually they are installed on a permanent basis, blocking the entrance for vehicles in certain areas. However, they can also be used as temporary fences.
• Quite often, blocks of concrete are used to separate lanes on highways (see also the article Concrete blocks for the fence: material and structure features). There, they perform not only protection functions in case of accidents and loss of control, but also prevent the dividing line from crossing, regulating the exit from the road in strictly defined places. So road services establish traffic control to avoid congestion and traffic jams.

Amateur photo of original concrete fences

• High structures, 1m or more, are often used to create pedestrian areas in areas of high danger. This is usually done where the width of such zones is very limited, which can lead to people leaving the roadway.

Tip! Using concrete blocks as temporary fences is quite wasteful and not practical. Their price is very high, and the method of delivery and installation is quite expensive.

Concrete blocks used to block movement

Metal constructions

This type can be called the most popular.

Due to the physical properties of this material, a huge number of types of such structures have appeared, which differ not only in their shape and method of installation, but also in their purpose.

• The most original can be called mobile designs for various objects that can even be taken for temporary use. Such a lease of fencing for construction sites in its entire complex represents a temporary system, not only separating the construction site, but also at close proximity to the road, creating a pedestrian path protected from road transport. However, some types of such devices even provide protection from precipitation.

The simplest fence for construction sites, reinforced concrete blocks

• Standard fences for roads have a strictly defined form and are manufactured in accordance with approved standards, which not only determine the appearance of the structure, but also the thickness of the anti-corrosion coating.

Fragment of the site fencing for the separation of two-way traffic

• Some builders use such metal structures for the improvement of the courtyards (see also the article Metal fences: a wide range of truly reliable structures). They separate the zones of traffic and parking, as well as protect recreation areas and utility buildings of increased importance, such as a gas or electric substation.

Tip! When choosing a metal construction, special attention should be paid to bearing supports. For each individual section of the road there are special requirements that indicate not only the height of the fence, but also the distance between the fastening posts. Therefore, their number and size are selected individually.

Metal pedestrian barrier

Plastic construction

This type is represented by quite a large number of different designs. Among them you can find both conventional barriers and barriers, and plastic nets for fencing sports fields.

In this case, it is possible to distinguish two separate directions of these devices, which have a similar purpose, but fundamentally differ in the method of creating safe conditions on the roads.

• The first type was created to mitigate the impact of the car and create conditions for reducing its speed with loss of control and exit to the shoulder.. In fact, the main task of such devices is to keep the vehicle on the roadway or reduce its speed to a safe level. Full stop such fencing does not provide.

Plastic construction, изготовленные с возможностью заполнения песком или водой

• The second type of data structures are usually installed in settlements and places of large concentrations of people.. It is intended to create an obstacle for a pedestrian when entering the roadway. They are also used to protect playgrounds and small squares.
• Special attention should be paid to such type of fencing as mesh for facade work.. Usually when using scaffolding there are cases of falling from a height of various construction tools, debris or materials. If at the same time a strong wind blows, the object can even carry over the fence, where pedestrians walk without protective helmets and drive cars.

That is why the installation manual recommends the use of special fence plastic mesh increased strength. They are pulled over the scaffolding, providing reliable protection from falling objects and at the same time protecting workers from heat or wind. In some countries, the presence of such fencing is strictly necessary, and in others, its use is due to the height of the work and the type of building.

Tip! When choosing plastic constructions, special attention should be paid to the fabrication material. It must be well tolerated by temperature drops, comply with the necessary climate zone and be resistant to direct sunlight. This information can be found in the technical passport or quality certificate, which the seller must present on request.

Protective mesh for facade work

Installation

There are many ways to install barrier structures. However, it should be remembered that each of them corresponds only to its type of devices. That is why the main criterion when choosing the right method is not its price, but the purpose of a specific element and instructions for its operation.

If we are talking about road barriers, they can be installed only by the relevant services if there is a special project signed by the person in charge. This is due to the fact that even such a simple solution as the choice of the number of columns at a certain length of a section depends on the mass of parameters, starting from the turning radius and ending with the angle of inclination.

Tip! If it is necessary to install these fences personally, you should use the services of a specialist or regulatory documentation. This will help to do the job correctly and in accordance with the requirements for operation.

Some installation options

Conclusion

In the presented video in this article you will find additional information on this topic, which will help you choose the appropriate fence for specific tasks and purposes. Also thanks to this, you can visually see the full range of these structures and their application in modern construction and road works.

On the basis of it, it can be concluded that security systems should be approached very responsibly and with knowledge, since even a minor error in calculations or the choice of materials can cost life.