All highways projects are different, but what many have in common is that the stalwart of roadwork and construction safety, Multi Application Safety System (MASS) Barriers, are regularly deployed across roads, pathways and highways as the barrier of choice for protection on all sides of the barrier.
Construction and design features
Mass barrier systems comprise of individual, curve shaped base barriers of dimensions 150 cm x 50 cm x 42 cm (length x width x height) with each unit weighing in at 48 kg. Each barrier offers a robust steel construction, with hot dip galvanised steel elements and stands upright, with a curved design to facilitate roll-on, roll-off stability and safety.
This roll-on, roll-off stability comes from an innovative design which actually uses the force of any errant vehicle to help stabilise the barrier’s base in the event of impact, whilst the roll-off design helps to retain the vehicle on its own side of the barrier. This provides additional safety and protection to vehicle drivers, as well as pedestrians and those working on the other side of the barriers.
Barrier bases are individually free-standing, but when linked together using their formidable vertical pin system, MASS barriers form stable and secure runs which offer the stability and security which have made Mass Barriers one of the most fit-for-purpose barrier systems in Europe.
MASS barriers offer the additional convenience of not requiring any form of permanent fixing such as drilling or coring. Instead, MASS barriers can be secured with a system of terminal anchorage from a steel buffer filled with sandbag weighting. This non-permanent fixing means barriers can be positioned manually and fitted quickly and efficiently, with the minimum of disruption to traffic and other road-users during installation. It also means that dismantling and repositioning can also be carried out with the minimal inconvenience or delays as the roadwork project progresses, or when alterations need to be made to facilitate access (such as plant vehicles entering or exiting work areas).
MASS barriers have been fully tested to crash testing standards of T2W5. They are also designed to be deployed in compliance with the UK Department of Transport’s Code of Practice Duty of Care and Industry Best Practice.
Safety systems
As well as stability and safety in design and deployment, MASS barriers also offer additional features which take into account the essential requirements of highway management and vehicular safety:
●MASS barriers are fully earthed, providing additional safety for sites where work is carried out directly below overhead power cables.
●MASS barriers offer a durable powder coated finish to each base section, in a full range of high visibility colours, to enhance public awareness and allow easy designation of areas and phases of work.
●The design of MASS barriers allows them to be deployed to accommodate 90 degree bends, whilst adapted units can be incorporated into the system to facilitate 180o rotations.
●Fence panels can be added to bases to significantly add to the range of use of MASS barriers.
Fencing features
As well as their stable bases, MASS barrier systems include a range of top section fencing options to fulfil a range of site and roadworks situations, particularly in facilitating the security and safety of users on both sides of the barrier. Top section fence panels are quick and easy to add to the barrier bases and can include:
●Pedestrian Guard Guides – fully tested to European Safety Standards, the addition of pedestrian guard guides to MASS barrier bases offer effective public safety and pedestrian protection.
●High visibility VISIRAILS – used in combination with Pedestrian Guard fencing, these high visibility, vandal-proof steel security rails offer full compliance with chapter eight of the Traffic Sign Manual.
●Screenguard – Screenguard fencing offers a fully effective hoarding panel to bring privacy and screening security to the work side of the barrier and can offer additional noise insulation for the public-facing and neighbouring sides.
●Siteguard – for enhanced security, Siteguard fencing incorporates an anti-climb, galvanised mesh design, ideal for vulnerable sites where additional security and protection is required.
●The anti-vandalism design of barrier fencing panels also help to protect communities, as well as work sites, from the effects of anti-social behaviour.
●The wind-resistant design of top panel fencing makes MASS barriers an ideal option for work sites in environments prone to extreme weather.
●Lockable gate panels are also available, to facilitate monitored access as required.
Designed for duty and deployment
As well as being designed for maximum safety and stability, the relatively lightweight of individual MASS barriers means they can be moved with comparative ease as phases of work progress. This cost and time-effective ease of redeployment is one of the reasons MASS barriers have proven to be popular in large highway and transport services projects, with recent examples including the phases of work at London’s Victoria Station and the large-scale tramway project at Manchester Metrolink, as MASS barriers offer assured vehicular and footway protection during construction phases.
Finally, when not in use, the lightweight and innovative design of MASS barriers makes them easy to handle and transport – up to 160m of MASS barriers can be pallet packed on a single, suitably sized vehicle to offer time and cost-effective transportation options. The shape of MASS barriers means they can also be easily stacked for storage between projects or phases. All components of MASS barriers, including bases, fencing and gates are available for hire or purchase from Safe Site Facilities, with speedy delivery across the UK.
Contact – http://www.safesitefacilities.co.uk/contact-us.
