How to Install a Crash Barrier
Whether you are fitting an Armco barrier or a crash barrier from any other manufacturer, it's vital that they are installed correctly in order to maximise effectiveness and safety. This guide is designed to provide an insight into the process, but installation should always be carried out by a team of certified professionals.
Tool List
- Drill / Screw Driver
- Pegs
- String Line
- PPE
- Spirit Level
- Clamps
- Spade / Digging Equipment
- Cement
- Cutter / Petrol Saw
Step 1 - Joining
Once you have checked that you have all the parts and fixings you require, and have carried out checks inline with your risk assessment & method statement. The first step in actually installing most kinds of crash barrier system is to overlap and connect the corrugated barrier parts. Connection is made simple with the use of standard and easily available nut and bolt fixings, typically M16 x 35mm for the corrugated parts, and M16 x 50mm where the barrier attaches to the upright posts. These should be supplied with the barrier you are installing.
Note: Don't connect the whole run of barrier together at once, it's best to work in sections of 2-3 pieces (depending on how many team members you have)
Step 2 - Main Beams
Connecting the main beams together is a relatively simple process. Most Armco beams supplied are a standardised 3500mm with a 300mm overlap on each. There are pre-drilled holes for fastening, which makes this a quick and simple part of the process. The only instances where this doesn't apply is where sections need to be cut shorter (usually at the beginning and end of a barrier) then it may be necessary to drill new holes.
Step 3 - Upright Posts
Supporting posts are what gives the crash barrier it's main point of strength. If they are not being fixed directly onto a good base of concrete then it will be necessary to dig out holes for the posts and then use concrete to fix them into position. This is generally considered best practise. If you are fixing directly to concrete, it is vital to ensure a suitable depth of substrate. You can then use steel base plates to fix the supporting posts in place once the concrete depth has been confirmed as being suitably robust.
Step 4 - Corners & Terminal Ends
When all uprights are in place, and the crash barrier has been lifted into place and fixed to it, it's time to cap off the job with corners and terminal ends.
The application of the armco crash barrier (road or pedestrian for example) will dictate what kind of end terminals are best to use. There tends to be strict regulations for a variety of use cases, so it is important to check with the relevant authority about what kind of requirements you will need to adhere to.
The fixing procedure is the same for both, where you will be able to fix the relevant part onto the end of the barrier using the pre-drilled holes.
If you need extra parts, then you can view our shop here. Alternatively, feel free to give us a call on 0121 520 9400 or use the contact form below to send us a message.