Description
British Standards compliant Armco barriers for car parks and access roads
Domestic car parks, front-of-house areas and access roads need reliable, compliant barrier protection. The Armco 560 and 610 Safety Barriers provide exactly this. Both heights are fully compliant with BS EN 1991-1-1:2002, the British Standard for domestic car parks. They are the industry standard specification for this type of application.
The 610mm height meets the current design standard recommended by the Department for Transport. It is the preferred specification for new installations and developments. The 560mm height reflects the previous industry standard. It remains compliant and continues to be widely specified in retrofit and replacement projects. Choosing between them is straightforward. The application determines the height. As standard, Brandsafe recommends the 610mm option to comply with current Department for Transport recommendations. Unless site requirements indicate otherwise, the 610mm is the recommended specification. For further guidance on which height suits your project, the Brandsafe team is available to advise.
Hot dip galvanised mild steel construction
Both barriers use mild steel with a hot dip galvanised finish to BS EN ISO 1461. This provides long-term corrosion resistance in indoor and outdoor environments. The galvanised finish suits open-air car parks, access roads, covered front-of-house areas and service yards. It performs across the full range of environments where these barriers are installed.
Both systems are compatible with the full range of Brandsafe Armco accessories. Fishtail safety ends, safety corners and polymer components all integrate directly. These eliminate exposed metal edges at barrier run ends, improve driver and pedestrian awareness and provide colour coded visual definition across the site. Accessories complete the safety installation.
Post centres and configuration
Post centre spacing depends on the impact risk of the location. For high-impact areas such as entrance and exit zones and vehicle turning points, 1.6m post centres provide greater rigidity and impact resistance. For lower-impact stretches such as general perimeter runs, 3.2m post centres are suitable and cost-efficient. Both configurations use the same components and fixings. That consistency keeps specification and installation straightforward across the full site.
The system is fully modular and adapts to straight runs, corners and irregular layouts. Fishtail safety ends and corners integrate directly into the barrier run. They complete the installation cleanly and safely.
Installation and fixing
Both the 560 and 610 barriers use a Type B baseplate measuring 330mm x 250mm x 12mm thick. Each baseplate has 4 fixing holes per post. Edge spacing conforms to a 100mm minimum. Centre spacing is 160mm x 210mm, conforming to a 100mm minimum. The footprint depth of both systems is 409mm.
Floor anchors are M16 x 150mm galvanised throughbolts as standard. Alternative fixing methods including M20 galvanised throughbolts and M16 chemical resin or stud fix are available depending on site conditions and substrate requirements. For bespoke project specifications or fixing method queries, contact the Brandsafe team for tailored guidance.
Where the Armco 560 and 610 are specified
Both barriers suit any location where a British Standards compliant Armco barrier is required for domestic car park and light vehicle traffic management. Typical applications include supermarket and retail car parks, housing developments and apartment complexes, public sector infrastructure projects, office access roads and forecourts, and schools and healthcare facilities. They also suit any front-of-house or access road environment where vehicle encroachment and collision risk need managing effectively.
For locations requiring protection against heavier commercial vehicles or higher-risk industrial applications, the Armco 760 and above provide the appropriate specification.
Supporting compliance and duty of care
Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and BS EN 1991-1-1:2002, operators and facilities managers must maintain traffic routes and access areas in a safe condition. They must also protect building fabric, infrastructure and people from foreseeable vehicle impacts. Both the 560 and 610 barriers meet the British Standard for domestic car parks. This provides a documented compliant physical control measure at these locations.
For facilities managers, H&S managers, specifiers and contractors, installing a BS EN 1991-1-1:2002 compliant Armco barrier system demonstrates a proactive and evidenced approach to traffic safety management. It also supports the requirement to manage foreseeable risks to a practicable minimum. The result is less structural damage, lower repair costs and a safer environment for drivers, pedestrians and building occupants alike.
