Filming took place recently at the ASafe
factory in Halifax of tests to
demonstrate the strength of polymer
barrier set against an equivalent
barrier manufactured from steel.

In the A-Safe factory there are two
impact calibration rigs: a dynamic
pendulum impact simulator and a
static constant force simulator. The
other visible, if slightly unorthodox
method is to erect barriers and,
under controlled safety conditions,
bash them with a fork lift truck.

On the day of filming, all three
tests were carried
out. The dynamic rig
tested in turn the Asafe
traffic barrier
and steel ‘armco’.

The polymer barrier
took six hits in
succession without
any discernable
damage; the steel
barrier endured
three hits before A-Safe’s product
development manager advised it too
dangerous to continue. The barrier
buckled and the bolts were failing.

An A-Safe traffic barrier was
erected and, under controlled
conditions, several hits were made
with a 3.5t Nissan FLT both at an
angle and at 90°. There was a slight
bend to one of the legs only. The test
was repeated on an armco steel barrier
bolted to the floor with an A-Safe
specification bolt system. Similar hits
showed severe damage to the steel
barrier, although it did not fail
completely. The base plate was badly
distorted.