Crash barriers are an essential safety measure found on roads, highways, car parks, warehouses, industrial sites, race tracks, and private roads. Made from strong, corrugated steel, they are designed to prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway or entering hazardous areas.
The primary role of these barriers is to absorb the impact of a collision, reduce the severity of accidents, and guide the vehicle back onto the road or prevent damage to structures or assets. Ultimately, they offer reliable protection in high-risk environments and help minimise the risk of serious injuries and damage. Their role on the road and off the road is to protect vehicles, assets and pedestrians, significantly contributing to overall safety.
In this guide, we will explore Armco safety barriers in more detail. This includes technical aspects, the difference between them and standard guardrails, installation processes, and anything else you need to know before implementing them in your work.
What Makes Armco Safety Barriers So Strong & Reliable?
The reason these barriers do so well in high-risk environments is because they are constructed from high-strength, corrugated steel. This makes them extremely durable and able to absorb impact energy. The steel is also typically galvanised to protect against corrosion, which helps to withstand harsh weather conditions.
Another feature that contributes to their reliability is the design. They consist of a series of wavy beams that flex upon impact, effectively dissipating the force of a collision and reducing the damage to the vehicle and passengers inside.
With a combination of robust materials and innovative design, Armco barriers are among the most effective measures to prevent accidents and protect road and off road infrastructure
Armco Crash Barriers vs. Standard Guardrails: What's the Difference?
Both serve to protect vehicles from veering off the road or damaging assets such as buildings or other property. However, Armco barriers are typically more durable and made to withstand higher-impact situations than standard guardrails. The latter are often made from lighter materials like aluminium and are more suitable for low to moderate-impact zones.
It is this combination of durability and strength that makes them the go-to, trusted choice in areas with a higher risk of collisions, such as highways, race tracks, and industrial zones.
Some Technical Details
There are several types of Armco barrier setups designed for different levels of protection. You will find them in standard beam lengths of 3.5, 1.8 & 1.0 metres, with a typical beam height/width of around 310mm, though dimensions may vary depending on the manufacturer. Post heights and spacings can also vary to accommodate particular vehicles likely to impact the barrier. Single-beam barriers are commonly used in lower-risk areas with smaller vehicles moving around, while double-beam designs are better suited to provide enhanced strength and impact resistance for taller vehicles such as lorries and buses.
This versatility allows Armco barriers to be tailored to different safety needs while maintaining their core function of impact absorption and vehicle redirection.
Armco Crash Barriers Installation Process
To install the barriers properly, you need to follow a structured process to ensure maximum stability and effectiveness. First, you need to secure the steel posts into the ground by either bolting it onto a solid concrete surface with holding down bolts or concreting it for more strength. Your choice will depend on the site’s requirements.
Once the posts are securely in place, you can attach the corrugated steel beams with the help of heavy-duty bolts. Doing so will create a continuous protective barrier.
Throughout the installation process, always remember to be compliant with industry standards. Make sure you maintain proper spacing between posts, correct beam alignment, and secure fastening.
Safety Barrier Regulation & Compliances
Reliable barriers are the ones that comply with EN 1317 - the European standard for road restraint systems. It sets the impact resistance, containment levels, and deformation limits guidelines for armco barriers used on high speed public highways and public roads.
For armco barriers used off road in locations such as warehouses, car parks, storage facilities, docks etc, BS 6180 is used for guidance. This standard covers barriers in and about buildings and specifies required loadings for certain scenarios and locations.
Depending on where your Armco is to be installed, it should adhere to one of these standards, which makes them the most trusted choice for safety measures in high-risk locations.
Cost & Maintenance
Armco barriers are built to last—simple as that. With proper maintenance, they typically last a minimum of between 20 and 30 years. In certain less harsh environments, they can last for up to 85 years. The galvanised construction provides strong resistance to corrosion and requires minimal upkeep. Periodic inspections for structural integrity, bolts tightness and rust prevention measures will suffice.
While maintenance is relatively low, other factors, such as exposure to harsh weather or frequent impact, may lead to occasional repairs. The cost of Armco barriers varies depending on the quality of the material, the beam length, and the installation complexity. There are budget-friendly options for small-scale projects, but there are also more expensive, heavy-duty installations.
Ultimate Protection and Reliability
Armco crash barriers are a reliable protection. Their robust construction ensures durability. The design - efficiency and ultimate safety. These barriers have a proven performance in high-risk areas, making them a worthwhile investment in safety.
Are you ready to change the game in safety? Explore our range of Armco products, and rest assured, safety and longevity are our top priorities.
If you need more information about Armco products and barriers, feel free to contact our team at Lockinex. We’re always here to help you find the best solution for your needs.