You may be aware of the numerous advantages of using safety barriers. However, the specifics on design and proper use are assumed to be known by the experts. Barriers have both short-term and long-term use. From the many types available, how can you tell which barriers best suit your site? Here is a simple guide on the most common types and their uses.
Concrete barriers
These are arguably the most popular barriers in construction sites, residential areas, and commercial spaces. Concrete makes these barriers very heavy and difficult to move around without using special lifting equipment. They are thus popular for improving security. Concrete barriers are the ideal solution for long term use. They are used to delineate roads and highways.
For private property, concrete jersey barriers serve as a perimeter wall, protectingagainst theft, trespass, and fly-tipping. The types include:
TVCBs: Temporary vertical concrete barriers are low-height concrete barriers that have multiple uses. They are for temporary works such as vehicle security and containment, hostile vehicle mitigation, and flood defence walls.
Lego Blocks: The distinctive feature of these concrete barriers allow interlocking. They are used to make relatively taller barriers.
Jersey Barriers: Jersey barriers are common on highways and roads. Their unique design helps reduce the overall car damage in case of an accident. They are strong and undergo minimum damage in case of an impact. Though heavy-duty, a jersey barrier is easy to install, rearrange or move to another place for use. Apart from highways, they are also ideal for perimeter walls, flood defence, and traffic management.
Other Modified Precast Concrete Barriers: The above barriers can use modification to include wire mesh or fence on top.
These are particularly ideal for construction sites where the extra fence prevents any debris from reaching the public. As a perimeter wall, the added grills act as additional security and can have anti-climb features.
Plastic Barriers
Though not as effective as those made of concrete, they are efficient for light-duty service. Plastic is light-weight thus easy to transport, install and move around. Plastic barriers are not the best for long-term and outdoor activity. The material is easily affected by harsh weather. Plastic barriers can either be:
Water-Filled: after installation, they are filled with water to increase stability. In comparison to concrete barriers, plastic barriers are more visible because they are usually a bright colour.
Sand-Filled: These are similar to water-filled plastic barriers, only that they have a design that requires you to fill them with sand or ballast for more strength.
From the types above, you can now choose the most functional for your situation. You can source barriers by hiring or buying. For either case, ensure that you choose a reputable company. It will help eliminate the possibility of purchasing substandard products. Search the internet to find a list of companies that provide precast barriers in your locality. Finally, get expert advice to figure out how many precast blocks you need and come up with a reliable budget.
