Do Your Car Park Barriers Comply?
July 2009

Any general car park barrier system must be capable of withstanding the relevant impact loads and minimise any residual energy being passed onto the structure that is being protected. The selection of an effective perimeter edge protection is based upon a number of variable factors;

• Space available in which to install a barrier and minimise encroachment onto the travelled way
• Climb-ability of the barrier
• Compatibility with handrail attachments and mesh infill panels
• Anchorage detail
• Compliance with relevant Australian Standards and Building Codes

The horizontal imposed action on barriers required to withstand the accidental impact from vehicles during parking shall be 30kN for barriers installed in light traffic areas. This load is based upon a 1500kg vehicle travelling at 2m/s and 0.1m crumple zone.

Ingal Civil Product’s range of spring steel buffas are the next generation of barriers specifically designed for low-speed perpendicular impacts.

An Ingal Spring Steel Post is manufactured from high-grade spring steel and is heat-treated for strength and flexibility. An Ingal Spring Steel Post deflects upon impact reducing the forces transferred to the anchor bolts by up to 75%. This absorption of energy allows the post to be installed with only one anchor bolt resulting in an easier to install system.

Since an Ingal Spring Steel Buffa System is capable of absorbing impact energy, damage to the barrier and impacting vehicle is minimal.

The post and rail design is available with mesh infill panels and handrails providing compliance to the Building Code of Australia. The width of an Ingal Spring Steel Buffa System can be as little as 80mm, meaning valuable floor space is conserved. The open design allows light infiltration and does not inhibit cross flow ventilation.

A series of crash tests, each at different impact speeds, were carried out on each of the two barrier posts to determine the effects of different impact forces and subsequent barrier deflections.

The Ingal Spring Steel Buffas performed outstandingly and well exceeded the minimum requirements stipulated in AS1170.1.

The flexible nature of the Ingal Spring Steel Buffas allows it to absorb a higher level of impact force than is required by the standard while still satisfying the requirement to halt and contain the vehicle. The same test vehicle was utilised for all tests. Damage to the test vehicle was minimal, the only damage being the detachment of the plastic bumper cover during the final high-speed test.

Ingal Civil Products has distribution facilities located throughout Australia. To find out more about Ingal Spring Steel Buffas, visit www.ingalcivil.com.au or freecall on 1800 803 795

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