There are many reasons why plastic water-filled barriers are chosen over traditional concrete barriers. For some, it’s a matter of cost, while for others it’s the portability factor that makes them attractive. There are also cases where a plastic barrier may not be the best option. To fully understand their uses, let’s explore some of the advantages and disadvantages of using plastic barriers.
Before we discuss the pros and cons of using plastic barriers, we need to explain what they are. Plastic barriers are hollow plastic structures that are formed from polyethylene. They are made to be lightweight and portable, with some gaining additional strength and stability by being filled with water once on site. They are effective for traffic control on highways and around workplaces. Plastic barriers are also very useful for crowd control and pedestrian walkways. They are available in various shapes, sizes, and price ranges.
Here are some of the benefits of using plastic barriers for your next project.
Plastic barriers are made of a lightweight polyethylene that is much lighter than traditional concrete barriers. The lighter weight design makes these barriers highly portable and a great option for jobsites and temporary events. Transportation costs are also substantially lower due to the lighter design. Since they are not permanently attached to the ground, they can be reused many times, saving the cost of having to purchase new barriers.
Their portability and light weight also means they require less labor and can be easily handled and installed by two people. Many designs allow movement of the barriers with a forklift. Special 6″ wide slots equipped in the barriers allow for easy lifting and repositioning. The male/female interlocking design makes it easy to create a continuous wall without the use of wires or pins.
Polyethylene plastic comes in a wide variety of very bright colors, allowing it to be easily seen even from a distance. Visibility is a vital component of the effectiveness of plastic barriers. An ultraviolet light inhibitor is added to the plastic to ensure colors do not fade even when exposed to long periods of sunlight. Since the barriers are made of polyethylene, they are 100% recyclable and will not end up in landfills.
In addition to the colorful plastic, these barriers are made to accommodate lights, signage, and reflectors for added visibility. Custom logos can also be incorporated into the design during the tooling process, which can help prevent theft of your job site barriers.
Each barrier is molded to 8mm thickness to ensure they do not burst when filled. They won’t crack or break with normal use and are built to withstand the elements for long periods of time. They also have large drains to prevent water from collecting behind the barriers.
A variety of sizes and designs are available, from the standard Jersey barrier heights of 42 and 46 inches to the taller 54-inch design and low model barriers that are typically 24 to 34 inches high. Lower heights are ideal when visibility may be affected by using a taller barrier.
Plastic barriers are an excellent option for temporary projects that may require ongoing relocation of the barriers. They can be moved between job or event sites with ease and stored when not in use.
Plastic barriers are also available for special installations such as highways and military operations.
Highway barriers meet the specifications of NCHRP (National Cooperative Highway Research Program) Report 350, “Recommended Procedures for Evaluation of Safety Performance of Highway Features”, making them effective in containing failures of vehicles up to 60 MPH. Highway barriers include metal reinforcements on both sides that give them greater stability for this application.
Plastic blast barriers are also available for military use. Filled with sand or water, they prove effective for many applications, including counter-terrorism, building security, blast mitigation, and force protection. The combination of strength and portability makes them an ideal choice.
While the advantages of plastic barriers are quite common, there are also some disadvantages to using plastic barriers. Most are based on their strength limits when used in areas where large vehicles, such as tractor-trailers and construction vehicles, are more likely to collide with barriers. They will not provide the same level of protection against workers and equipment as concrete barriers.
In short, plastic barriers are a great option for road safety, crowd control, and parking facilities. They are lightweight, portable, and more cost effective than concrete barriers, while providing the level of security needed for your project. However, it is important to understand their weaknesses to enable appropriate adaptations and precautions to be taken in special situations.