Guardrails – The Ultimate Guide
Guardrails serve as a valuable safety barrier for industrial and commercial environments like factories, warehouses or other areas with high pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
These barriers protect pedestrians, vehicles, and property from accidents, helping businesses prevent severe injury or damage.
This article explains what Guardrails are, the types of Guardrails that exist, including the W-Beam Guardrail, Ball-Fence Guardrail and NoWeld Guardrail, and how Traffic Safety Systems can help you choose your need Guardrail traffic management system.
What is a Guardrail?
A Guardrail is commonly used in industrial and commercial workplace environments to protect both pedestrians and traffic, but it also outlines safety boundaries to protect vehicles and workers from vehicle-related injuries.
Whether it’s a road for vehicles travelling at low speed or a forklift operating in a factory or warehouse, industrial barriers like guardrails help to reduce the potential of accidents occurring.
There are four main components of a standard guardrail, including:
- W-Beam (a Steel Beam shaped like a “W”)
- Posts (Driven into the ground to support the W-Beam Guardrail structure)
- Blockouts (Improves the absorption of impact and separates the W-Beam from the post)
- End Boot (Prevents pedestrians and vehicles from being speared with a cap that is attached to the end of the guardrail)
Guardrails are often strategically placed where moving vehicles have to slow down either or be redirected away from hazards, like buildings, pedestrian pathways, or valuable equipment.
@safetywithtss You must have noticed that guardrails are shaped like a ‘w’? Did you know why? It’s because when a vehicle like a forklift hits it, the w shaped helps to absorb the impact! Instead of bouncing the vehicle off, it redirects it, keeping it on the road! After all, by spreading the force across the rail, it minimizes damage and keeps drivers safer! So next time you see these guardrails, remember—safety’s in the details! #guardrails #w #safety #fyp ♬ original sound - c
What are Guardrails made of?
Guardrails in industrial and commercial settings are generally made from durable materials like metal alloys or steel engineered to be both flexible and strong. The most industry-recognised Guardrail is the W-Beam Guardrail, made of steel; it gets its name from the shape of the steel beam that forms the barrier.
A key feature of a strong Guardrail is the high-strength steel used to provide impact protection against vehicle impact.
Additionally, most steel guardrails are hot-dipped galvanised. This is a protective layer to help with the Guardrail’s longevity, particularly in harsher conditions from winter weather or the harsh summer sun.
What are the different types of Guardrail Traffic Barriers?
Three industry-recognised Guardrail options, the NoWeld, Ball-Fence and W-Beam Guardrails, help businesses keep their pedestrians safe and assets protected daily.
Guardrails – Comparison of Traffic Barriers
NoWeld: The Modular Industrial Handrail System
The NoWeld Industrial Handrail System help businesses provide robust separation and protection in industrial and commercial settings. The NoWeld Handrail’s key advantage is that it not require welding tools and equipment upon installation. This single feature has enabled businesses to minimise their labour costs and shorten installation time.
The Versatility and Ease of Installation of The NoWeld Handrail
NoWeld offers a range of attachable components, making it highly versatile. Whether you need straight runs, 90° corners, end posts, or gate posts, NoWeld has the solution.
It even has angled fixtures for ramps and staircases to ensure safety.
Its modular design means NoWeld can be customised to fit any industrial site, allowing for easy adjustments and future expansions without major changes.
The Ball-Fence Guardrail: Flexible Handrail and Kneerail System
The Ball-Fence Guardrail is another modular solution that provides businesses with a high degree of flexibility when it comes to design. It can be assembled into many configurations, including top (hand) rails and intermediate (knee) rails. An easy installation can be ensured by having it partly factory-delivered or assembled on-site.
Ball-Fence is a top choice for industrial facilities due to its customisable components that ensure a perfect fit and meet safety standards. On-site assembly offers precise fitting, while the option for partial factory assembly reduces installation time, minimising disruption in busy environments.
The W-Beam Guardrail: Enhancing Pedestrian Safety
To further enhance workplace safety, many worksites have opted to pair the W-Beam Guardrail with the Ball-Fence system. This is a great combination of a safety barrier that ensures pedestrians and moving vehicles are kept well away from a potential hazard.
The W-Beam Guardrail works perfectly with the Ball-Fence system to add extra protection. This is especially useful in busy industrial areas, separating walkways from moving vehicles safely.
Its strong design makes the W-Beam Guardrail a reliable, long-lasting safety solution. Clearly marking pedestrian paths and vehicle routes helps prevent accidents and improves workplace safety.
How much does a Guardrail cost?
The cost of a Guardrail depends on various factors, such as size, material, and finish. If you seek to purchase a galvanised or galvanised powder-coated yellow (more expensive) W-Beam Rail 1-Metre Centres, start from $156.20 (including GST) with the cost of posts, fixings, end boots and connectors depending on the overall length of the guardrail.
How to choose the right Guardrail System
How can you know, plan and implement the perfect guardrail system?
When deciding what guardrail is best for your business, there are four main things to know:
1. Location and Purpose:
Determine whether you intend the guardrail to be considered for traffic management, pedestrian safety, or asset protection. A heavy-duty system like the W-Beam Guardrail or Ball-Fence Guardrail with Menni is ideal for industrial sites with heavy machinery or forklift traffic. To prevent access to restricted zones, you may require a lighter guardrail system for pedestrian-heavy areas.
2. Material and Durability:
When choosing a Guardrail System, the material and finish are critical for ensuring long-term durability, especially in industrial and high-traffic areas. Two common options are hot-dipped galvanised steel and hot-dipped galvanised steel with yellow powder coating.
- Hot-Dip Galvanised Steel:
This standard option involves coating the steel with zinc, which protects against rust and corrosion, especially in outdoor environments. It’s highly durable and ideal for locations exposed to weather or moisture. The galvanised coating ensures that the Guardrail can withstand heavy impacts and harsh conditions for many years. - Galvanised Steel with Yellow Powder Coating:
Galvanised guardrails can be finished with a yellow powder coating for added visibility and safety. This bright, high-visibility finish is often used in factories, warehouses, and other industrial settings to clearly mark safety zones and separate pedestrian walkways from vehicle routes. The powder coating provides an extra layer of protection against corrosion while enhancing safety through improved visibility.
Both options are highly durable, but the choice depends on the specific needs of your facility. The yellow powder coating offers better visibility for high-traffic or safety-critical areas, while standard galvanised guardrails are suitable for locations where corrosion resistance is the main concern.
3. Impact Resistance:
Impact Resistance is a key factor in considering the amount of force the guardrail will need to absorb. High-traffic areas with heavy vehicles may require more robust solutions like a W-Beam Guardrail, while lower-traffic areas can use lighter systems like the NoWeld system.
4. Installation requirements:
Consider the ease of installation, especially in complex areas like elevated walkways or narrow spaces. Some Guardrails may require expert installation to meet safety codes and function properly. If you are limited with time or have little experience with welding tools, you can use the NoWeld System for ease of installation.
Final Word
As you can see, selecting the right guardrail system is essential for enhancing safety and traffic management in various environments, particularly in industrial and high-traffic areas.
Not only do guardrails like the W-Beam, NoWeld or Ball-Fence keep workers and pedestrians safe in industrial and commercial settings, but they help ensure that your business meets modern safety standards and regulations and that you aren’t as liable when something goes wrong.
Understanding the different types of guardrails, such as W-Beam Guardrails, and their unique benefits is crucial for making an informed decision.
Traffic Safety Systems, Australia’s most experienced and knowledgeable independent safety suppliers, can help you get big wins by getting the right Guardrail System for you.
Check out our range of hand and Guardrail options and get in touch to find out how we can secure your business.