The Different Road safety Guard rail Types and Styles Guard rails are musts for roadside safety because they slow down vehicles and prevent them from careening too far to the side if they veer off the road. Installing a guard rail is by no means a one-size-fits-all procedure, and variations with differing strengths and weaknesses exist for different scenarios. To keep you informed, we’ll examine the different guard rail types and styles. W-Beam traffic safety Guard rail This is among the most common guard rail types you’ll see. W-beam guard rails are made of steel that’s often treated for weather-resistance through galvanization. They’re popular because they can be installed in most settings, including bridges, with relative ease. The rails themselves can also be attached to strong or weak posts. The “W” in the name comes from the shape of the rails, which resemble the letter turned sideways when viewed from either end. Box-Beam Guard rail Following the same naming convention as the W-beam, box-beam guard rails are shaped like elongated rectangular prisms. They also don’t require much maintenance, as their steel surfaces can be galvanized and powder-coated. They tend to have a bit less strength than the other beam guard rails, but they do have a cleaner, smoother appearance. Three-Beam Guard rail The rails on this type of guard rail have one more “V” ridge than W-beam guard rails. Since this guard rail is significantly wider, it boasts higher strength. It can successfully deflect heavier vehicles that possess higher centers of gravity. As with the other beam guard rails, three-beam guard rails are composed of treated steel that stands up to outdoor conditions. Steel-Backed Timber road Guard rail Designed to be more visually attractive than industrial beam traffic guard rails, steel-backed timber guard rails are made of rectangular or round pieces of wood. The posts are also made of timber, giving the road guard rail an organic or rustic look. Steel plates are placed behind the wooden component of the railing to provide the extra strength it needs to redirect vehicles. Cable Barrier Cable barriers have no true rails—instead, steel cables are threaded through steel posts to form the barrier. Cable barriers cover up less of the roadside and require less material, making them more affordable to implement. They also leave more space for pedestrians and cyclists. Despite these advantages, they may not always be desirable because they have less strength and must be repaired any time a vehicle makes contact with them.
Road Guard rails are used for safety and barrier purposes and are an integral part of various industrial structures. These assemblies are typically installed at platform ends and are incorporated within mezzanine structures in industrial sites, such as warehouses. They are used on highways as a protection barrier against vehicle impact, to prevent falls, and in production areas. Standard traffic guard rail fabrication materials include variations of stainless steel, a material recommended because of its durability. Wooden guard rails are another common barrier material. There are numerous variations of standard guard rails, which must comply with OSHA standards. Both single and double railing systems are a standard guard rail installation option. Barrier Guard rail Types and Styles The most common types of traffic guard rails include: W-beam Curved Bolt-on Drop-in W-beams W-beams are the standard traffic and highway safety rails and are constructed in high gauge steel. To protect against environmental conditions, this type of beam is fabricated with zinc coatings and weather (resistant) coated materials. Curved steel guard rails feature a convex or concave-shaped rail and are used to provide protection on roadways and highways that have a bend radius to them. These units are usually pre-fabricated to fit the required dimensions of the site where they will be installed. Concave rails are those in which the rail curves in towards the vehicle, while convex rails are those that curve away from the vehicle. Drop-in rails.
Drop-in rails feature brackets that allow post sections to slide into the structure upon installation. This type of railing is easily accessible. Bolt-on railsBolt-on rails involve specific installation with hand tools and drills, though the hardware for this type of railing is typically included by the manufacturer. Single, double, or triple rails may be selected for an application.
Standard traffic Guard rail Applications Pedestrian walkway protection Workstation and transformer area barrier Protect equipment from forklift damages Protect building from damage (ie, walls and doors)Installed along roadways to prevent and minimize accidents.
Traffic Guard rail Components A standard guard rail system is mounted to the floor by base plates, which are fastened with anchor bolts. Each guard rail system also includes columns that are commonly fabricated from steel. Such columns, or posts, are often pre-drilled by the manufacturer and include the hardware for installation. Standard galvanized steel systems (specifically 12-gauge) provide durability and are often fabricated in curved, 90-degree variations, for traffic areas. Other variations include cylindrical steel beams and flatter beams, featuring ribbing. For indoor and outdoor areas, railings are typically painted OSHA yellow. The type and amount of beam railing vary according to the application requirements. For instance, the railing can consist of one to three beams and the beams may be coated with UV resistant polyurethane sleeves.
.jpg)
.jpg)
