Attention at the Barracks with Berry Systems Safety Barriers

The Barracks multi-storey car park in Coventry was built over 50 years ago and, until recently, had been maintained on a fairly sporadic basis. It was built of reinforced concrete using a British Lift Slab design and work to strengthen the column heads had been undertaken in the wake of the partial collapse of the similarly constructed Pipers Row car park in Wolverhampton in 1997. Now the council were faced with either a major refurbishment or complete replacement of the car park so they commissioned a review of the condition of the concrete and the integrity of the car park’s steel reinforcement from specialist structural engineers Nolan Associates of Birmingham. Their analysis revealed that, although the structure was currently safe, there was active corrosion. It recommended that this and other health & safety problems must be addressed. The report drew attention to the edge protection barriers, which did not meet current safety standards and either required substantial upgrading or replacement. The council decided that a major refurbishment which would extend the life of the car park by another 10 years was the best solution in the current economic climate. The 460 spaces it provides to both shoppers and businesses in Coventry are a vital part of the local infrastructure. The project was awarded to Makers Construction who in turn appointed Berry Systems to install new perimeter edge protection. For this, traditional “Armco” style barrier rails were mounted onto Berry Systems’ unique RB1X spring steel buffers. These absorb impacts thereby reducing damage to both the barrier and any impacting vehicle. Twice force barriers (i.e. 300kN) were installed at aisle ends where vehicle speeds can be greater. These barriers feature post centres of only 800mm compared to the usual 1600mm. Extensions were fitted to the buffers to support pedestrian handrails at 1100mm height. Finally anti-climb mesh from floor to handrail was also fitted to the front of the barriers to complete the requirements of BS 6399, Building Regulations and the latest recommendations of the Institution of Structural Engineers (ISE) and the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE). Upper deck lighting columns were protected by the installation Berry Systems’ column protection units consisting of double warehouse rails mounted onto RB1 spring steel buffers that totally enclose the lighting columns behind impact absorbing barriers. For further information call 01902 491100 or email sales@berrysystems.co.uk

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