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What is a Barricade?
What is a barricade? When we hear the term “barricade”, images of crowd control at large events or roadblocks at construction sites might come to mind. According to Dictionary.com, a barricade is defined as “a line or pile of objects put together, often quickly, to stop people from going where they want to go.” This simple yet powerful definition encapsulates the essence of barricades: tools for managing movement and ensuring safety in various settings.
Common Uses and Importance of Barricades
Barricades are versatile and indispensable for safety and order in many crowd related scenarios. Barricades are key tools in managing how a crowd moves and how they act when they reach the barricade. They are commonly employed at concerts, parades, and sports events to direct the flow of crowds and prevent unauthorized access to restricted areas. In construction sites, barricades protect workers and pedestrians by marking off dangerous areas. On roadways, they direct traffic, indicate detours, and signal hazards. Additionally, barricades prevent unauthorized entry to protect VIP areas or other important security areas.
How to Set Up Steel Barricades
Setting up barricades effectively is crucial for their functionality. There are two primary types of barricade feet to consider: flat feet and bridge feet.
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Flat Feet: These provide stability on hard surfaces like concrete and asphalt. The flat feet are designed to have one point of contact that distributes the weight on the barricade evenly increasing the stability of the barricade on even surfaces. They are ideal for urban settings, such as city streets, airport tarmac or sidewalks as they provide a minimal trip hazard.
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Bridge Feet: These are designed for uneven surfaces, such as grass or gravel. With two smaller points of contact, bridge feet ensure the barricade remains stable even if there is uneven ground between the contact points. This enables the barricade to sit on gravel or grass as long as the two points of contact aren’t too uneven. Bridge feet are suitable for outdoor events, festivals, construction sites, etc.
When setting up barricades, ensure that the feet are appropriately chosen based on the surface for maximum stability and safety.
Types of Barricades
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Steel Barricades: Constructed from 16-gauge steel, these robust barricades weigh 36 lbs, making them light enough for easy transport by a single person. They are galvanized for long-term weather resistance and feature welded construction making the steel barricade the strongest and most durable type. Removable feet enhance stacking for efficient storage. These barricades interlock using a standard hook and half-loop system, allowing for the creation of long barrier runs.
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Plastic Barricades: These barricades offer a lightweight yet sturdy solution for both traffic and pedestrian control. Typically, around 6.5 feet in length and weighing approximately 15 lbs, they facilitate quick setup and are easy to handle. A heavy-duty locking pin ensures secure connections, even in challenging conditions, and allows the barricades to pivot up to 90 degrees, enabling gate-like functionality. The rotating feet, securely attached to the frame, enable flat stacking for compact storage and transport.
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Expanding Barricades: Designed for areas requiring quick setup and removal, such as warehouse isles, or maintenance sites, these barricades feature a robust frame and simple design. They collapse into compact units for easy transportation and storage. Equipped with locking wheels, they can be securely positioned and interconnected using a hook and loop system to form extended barriers. Available in various colors and lengths, these barricades provide flexible and durable crowd control solutions.
Conclusion
In answering the question of what is a barricade we can conclude that barricades are indispensable tools in our daily lives, ensuring crowd safety, and maintaining order. Whether you’re organizing a large public event, managing a construction site, or ensuring traffic flows smoothly, barricades play a crucial role. At Suncoast Coverings, we provide high-quality barricades to meet your specific needs, ensuring you have the best solutions for effective crowd control and safety management.
