What Are The Advantages of Mass Barriers, Water Filled Barriers and Concrete Barriers?

A barrier’s function is typically indicated by its name, there are many of these types of equipment that can fit all purposes. Whether MASS crash-tested barriers, water-filled barriers or concrete barriers, these suit various ranges of purposes.

In order to know which sort of barrier is most ideal for your particular project, you first have to know which types of barriers are capable of handling a wide range of jobs.

What Are MASS Crash-Tested Barriers?

All across Europe, you’ll find MASS crash-tested barriers to be most prevalent along the highways. These sorts of barriers are well-known for their durability and stability, and they are also easier to deploy. It is quite cost-effective to utilise this equipment.

Benefits of MASS Barriers

• The roll-on, roll-off protection design of these barriers make them ideal for use on low-speed areas of 30 mph because it deflects aberrant vehicles. Whenever there is impact, its stability is enhanced.

• These barriers are easy to deploy because there is no need for drilling and coring to install them. Their non-permanent fixing makes them suitable for short-term utilisation. 

• They are made in a variety of high-visibility colours that make them very practical.

• Various types (see our guide on different types of barriers) of top sections can be incorporated into it because they are designed with fully-linkable bases. Being versatile, they are suitable for different sites and situations, especially when appended with anti-climb, anti-gawk and anti-debris fencing panels.

• They can accommodate bends of up to 90 degrees due to their design.

• They can tackle different types of locations, such as weather-vulnerable areas because of their solid wind-resistance design.

• Their lightweight properties make it easier to stack, string, transport, install and reposition them.

These benefits of MASS crash-tested barriers often make them the go-to equipment of their sort. They are typically appropriate for low-speed areas, and it is important to note that they are usually not suitable for high-speed areas because of the limited protection they may render. These are ideal if you are looking for better protection for sites and highway workers.

If there needs to be more permanent traffic placating deterrents, such as anti-ram-raid barriers, mass barriers may not be effective.

What Are Water-Filled Barriers?

Water-filled barriers are constructed with polyethene material and a hollow core that is filled with water to make it more stable and sturdy. Should there be a need to delineate the restriction of flow and traffic in work sites or traffic control on roadways, these barriers are the ideal choice. The unique design features of water-filled barriers make them deliver benefits such as those below.

Benefits of Water-Filled Barriers

• They have long-user life and are highly durable, although an excellently cost-effective option.

• They are very lightweight when empty, making them portable and effective for easy and low-cost transportation and installation. Many designs have grooves incorporated, making them easier to lift and transport via forklifts.

• Their availability in a wide selection of sizes and high-visibility colours make them more versatile, aside from being entirely customisable with safety notices and signage.

• They are reusable because they are non-permanent. Their cost to each user is more practical, along with economical redeployment.

• Their structural interlocking design allows for complete interconnection, achieving uninterrupted barrier runs without problems of pins or cables that may be meddled with.

• Their polyethene construction makes them environmentally friendly, which is also 100% recyclable.

• If there is a need for more crash-resistance properties, those with steel framework designs can be an option.

Despite these benefits of water-filled barriers, there are restrictions as to when and how they should be used. There are limits to their utilisation in heavy plant sites, particularly when construction and agricultural vehicles are nearby. Optimal protection may not be offered by these barriers compared to what concrete barriers can.

What Are Concrete Barriers?

High-traffic or traffic-vulnerable areas can find good use for concrete barriers, mainly because of their heavy-duty protection capabilities. They tend to be functional for long-term deployment. If there are pedestrians or road workers that make both sides of them vulnerable, concrete barriers provide improved protection and reduced risks.

Benefits of Concrete Barriers

• They are available in a remarkable array of sizes and designs, such as in 1.5 m length which is suitable for smaller areas and 3 m length for vehicle access blockage. They can be used on either side of traffic streams, especially the innovative essential lego block and universal design versions.

• Their designs are customisable to include posts.

• If you want to protect anti-social behaviour and unwanted access, these barriers are suitable because of their permanency.

• A specific site can be installed with safety and security because of its designs that include bespoke enclosure and interlocking systems that produce continuous runs of robust protection.

There are distinct benefits of concrete barriers, but they are not ideal for short-term or ad hoc deployment because they are not flexible or cost-effective. They are heavy-duty in characteristic, nonetheless, making them appropriate for use on highways.