What Is an Armco Barrier & Where Is It Used? | Aremco Barriers
What Is an Armco Crash Barrier and Where Is It Used?
Their distinctive corrugated steel beam makes them easy to recognise, but customers often aren't sure exactly what an Armco barrier is designed to do, which components are required or where it should be used.
At Aremco Barriers, we supply Armco barrier systems for a wide range of commercial and industrial applications.
In this guide, we'll explain what an Armco barrier is, how the system is constructed and some of the most common places it is used.
What Is an Armco Barrier?
The term Armco barrier is commonly used in the UK to describe a corrugated steel vehicle barrier system consisting of horizontal steel beams supported by posts.
The characteristic corrugated profile provides a strong physical barrier between vehicle routes and areas that need protection or separation.
Armco-style barriers are commonly used in:
- Car parks
- Warehouses
- Factories
- Distribution centres
- Service yards
- Loading areas
- Industrial estates
- Commercial premises
- Vehicle routes
They can be installed in straight runs or configured using corners and end sections to suit the layout of the site.
What Is an Armco Barrier Made From?
A typical Armco barrier system consists of several individual components rather than one complete item.
These can include:
- Corrugated steel barrier beams
- Supporting posts
- Beam-to-post fixings
- Lap bolts
- Corners
- End terminals
- Appropriate ground fixings
The exact components required depend on the length and shape of the barrier run.
This is why simply knowing that you require, for example, "10 metres of Armco" isn't always enough to produce an accurate specification.
We also need to understand the layout.
How Long Is an Armco Barrier Beam?
A standard Aremco Armco beam is approximately 3.5 metres overall, providing an effective installed length of approximately 3.2 metres once the beams are overlapped.
This distinction is important when calculating how many beams are required.
If several beams are joined together, you shouldn't calculate the total run simply by multiplying the physical overall length of each beam.
The overlap needs to be taken into account.
Why Are Armco Beams Corrugated?
The familiar corrugated or W-shaped profile isn't simply decorative.
The shape increases the rigidity of the steel beam compared with a flat sheet of similar material.
It also forms part of the way the barrier system behaves when subjected to loads.
The beam, posts, connections and foundations all work together as a system.
Where Are Armco Barriers Commonly Used?
One of the main uses for Armco barriers is separating vehicles from vulnerable areas or equipment.
For example, they may be installed between a vehicle route and:
- Building walls
- Loading bays
- Pedestrian areas
- Machinery
- Storage areas
- Racking
- Plant
- Pipework
- Electrical equipment
- Site infrastructure
They are also commonly used along the edges of car parks and industrial vehicle routes.
Armco Barriers in Warehouses
Warehouses often have vehicles operating close to buildings, racking and equipment.
Forklift trucks, delivery vehicles and other moving equipment can potentially cause expensive damage if they leave their intended route.
An Armco barrier can provide a clear physical division between the vehicle area and the item being protected.
However, the barrier itself needs sufficient space.
It shouldn't automatically be installed directly against the object it is intended to protect without considering how the barrier may behave if struck.
Armco Barriers in Car Parks
Armco barriers can also be useful around car parks.
Applications can include protecting:
- Boundaries
- Pedestrian areas
- Buildings
- Changes in level
- Equipment
- Restricted areas
They also provide a very visible indication of where vehicles should and shouldn't travel.
The layout should take account of vehicle turning movements and the position of parking spaces.
Can Armco Be Used Around Corners?
Yes.
Armco systems can incorporate corner sections to change direction.
A 90-degree corner may be used where the barrier needs to follow the perimeter of a building, parking area or other feature.
The exact arrangement should be planned before ordering so that the correct beams, posts, corners and fixings can be supplied.
How Does Armco Join Together?
Individual barrier beams overlap at their ends and are secured using appropriate bolts.
The beams are then attached to the supporting posts.
This creates a continuous barrier run rather than a series of completely independent sections.
Correct assembly is important because the individual components are intended to work together.
What Are Armco End Terminals?
An Armco run needs to finish somewhere.
Rather than simply leaving the end of the corrugated beam exposed, different termination options can be used depending on the application.
These can include fishtail end terminals and other end arrangements.
Apart from improving the finished appearance, an appropriate termination can help avoid leaving an abrupt exposed beam end.
The correct termination should be selected according to the layout and application.
What Are Fishtail Ends?
A fishtail end termination curves the end of the Armco beam away from the main barrier line.
It creates a more finished end to the barrier run than simply stopping with the standard beam profile.
Fishtail ends are commonly seen at the beginning and end of industrial Armco installations.
What Type of Posts Are Used?
The supporting posts are a critical part of an Armco system.
Aremco supplies different post arrangements depending on the required installation and barrier height.
For example, our Armco range includes RSJ posts, with different post sizes available for standard and heavier-duty applications.
The correct post shouldn't be selected simply on appearance.
The required barrier height, fixing arrangement, application and site conditions should all be considered.
How High Should an Armco Barrier Be?
There isn't one height suitable for every installation.
Aremco can supply Armco arrangements at different finished heights, including approximately:
- 610mm
- 760mm
- 1100mm
The appropriate height depends on what is being protected and the type of vehicles operating nearby.
This is an important enough subject that we've created a separate guide on how high an Armco barrier should be installed.
Root Fixed or Bolt Down?
Armco posts can be installed using different fixing arrangements depending on the system and site.
Where bolt-down posts are used, they require a suitable structural foundation.
They shouldn't simply be fixed to a thin layer of tarmac or an unsuitable surface.
Where posts are installed into the ground, appropriate foundations need to be provided.
Ground conditions and the existing surface should therefore be established before installation begins.
How Far Apart Are Armco Posts?
Post spacing is determined by the barrier system and beam arrangement rather than simply being chosen arbitrarily on site.
The beams need to be correctly supported and connected.
When planning an Armco installation, it is therefore better to consider the complete run rather than purchasing beams first and deciding where to position the posts afterwards.
Can Armco Be Powder Coated?
Yes, depending on the specification.
Armco barriers are commonly supplied with a galvanised finish for corrosion protection.
Powder-coated options may also be available where a particular colour or increased visibility is required.
For example, yellow Armco is often specified in warehouses, loading areas and industrial sites because it is highly visible to vehicle operators.
Galvanising followed by powder coating may also be available depending on the required specification.
Does Galvanised Armco Require Maintenance?
Galvanising provides corrosion protection, but the barrier should still be periodically inspected.
Checks should include:
- Beams
- Posts
- Bolts
- Connections
- Foundations
- End terminals
- Corners
- Protective finish
- Signs of impact
Armco is deliberately installed in areas where vehicle movement occurs, so evidence of impact shouldn't be ignored.
What Should I Do If an Armco Barrier Has Been Hit?
If an Armco barrier has been struck by a vehicle, inspect the complete affected section.
Don't only look at the most obvious dent in the beam.
An impact could also affect:
- Posts
- Bolts
- Beam connections
- Foundations
- Adjacent sections
- Corners
- End terminals
Bent or damaged components may need replacing.
If there is any doubt about the condition of the system, it should be assessed before continuing to rely upon it.
Is Armco a Crash-Rated Barrier?
This is an important distinction.
The words "Armco barrier" and "crash barrier" are commonly used interchangeably in everyday conversation, particularly for industrial vehicle barriers.
However, that does not mean every Armco-style barrier has a certified vehicle impact or crash rating.
If a project specifies a particular impact standard, containment level, tested performance or hostile vehicle mitigation requirement, a system specifically tested and certified to that requirement should be selected.
Standard industrial Armco shouldn't automatically be represented as a certified crash-rated system.
Armco vs Bollards – Which Should I Use?
The answer depends on what you're trying to protect.
Bollards can provide individual points of vehicle restriction and may be useful around doorways, corners, machinery and smaller areas.
Armco provides a continuous barrier line, making it useful where a longer boundary or section needs protection.
Some sites use both.
For example, Armco may protect the side of a building while bollards protect a doorway or particularly vulnerable corner.
Armco vs Pedestrian Barriers
These products perform different functions.
A lightweight pedestrian barrier or guardrail shouldn't automatically be expected to perform the same role as a substantial steel vehicle barrier.
Where vehicles and pedestrians operate in close proximity, the complete site layout and risk should be considered rather than assuming that one product solves every problem.
What Information Do I Need for an Armco Quote?
Before requesting a quotation, it helps to provide:
- Required total length
- Number of separate runs
- Required barrier height
- Any corners
- End termination requirements
- Ground/fixing arrangement
- Required finish
- Delivery postcode
- Photographs or a sketch of the area
A simple sketch can be particularly useful.
It doesn't need to be a professional CAD drawing.
Showing the approximate dimensions, corners, ends and any obstructions can make it much easier to understand what is required.
Don't Just Order by Metre
This is probably one of the most useful pieces of advice when buying Armco.
An Armco installation is a system of components.
Two sites requiring exactly the same total length of barrier may require different quantities of posts, corners, ends and fixings because their layouts are different.
Providing the layout before ordering can help avoid missing components when the barrier arrives on site.
Need Help Specifying an Armco Barrier?
If you're unsure what components you require, speak to Aremco Barriers.
Send us the dimensions of the area together with a sketch or photographs where possible.
We can then look at the proposed layout and help identify the beams, posts, corners, terminations and associated components required.
Aremco Barriers supplies Armco barrier systems alongside manual swing gates, height restriction barriers, bollards and other physical vehicle access-control products to commercial and industrial customers throughout the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Armco barrier?
Armco is a commonly used term for a corrugated steel vehicle barrier system consisting of horizontal beams supported by posts.
How long is an Armco beam?
A standard Aremco beam is approximately 3.5 metres overall and provides approximately 3.2 metres of effective installed length because adjoining beams overlap.
Can Armco barriers go around corners?
Yes. Corner components can be incorporated where the barrier run needs to change direction.
What is a fishtail end on an Armco barrier?
A fishtail is an end termination used to finish the end of a barrier run rather than leaving the standard corrugated beam profile exposed.
Can Armco barriers be yellow?
Yes. Powder-coated finishes can be available depending on the specification. Yellow is commonly selected where increased visibility is required.
Is every Armco barrier crash rated?
No. An industrial Armco-style barrier shouldn't automatically be assumed to have a certified crash or impact rating. Where certified performance is required, an appropriately tested system should be specified.
What information should I provide for an Armco quotation?
Ideally provide the total lengths, number of runs, required height, corners, end arrangements, fixing method, finish and delivery postcode. A sketch or photographs can also be extremely helpful.
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