Armco safety barriers are a widely used type of safety crash barrier. They are made from corrugated steel, which is tough enough to withstand the impact of most vehicles and can absorb the energy from a collision. Their main purpose is to prevent vehicles from colliding with people and valuable property.

The most common place that an Armco beam is seen by the general public is as a motorway barrier. In this setting, the Armco barrier’s function is to prevent cars from colliding with oncoming vehicles and the central reservation. They also deter both people and animals from straying onto roads and protect trees, walls and other vulnerable installations from a potential collision.

In the past, concrete was often used to create this separation. However, advancements in technology over the years have encouraged modifications, especially for use in places where soil reinforcement was needed. One such modern modifications include the Armco barriers.

These ultra-reliable and cost-effective vehicle crash barriers are now considered the ideal solution for protecting both people and property in the UK. Not only are they used widely as metal road barriers across the country, Armco barriers, such as those supplied by CT Safety Barriers, are also commonly used for off-road protection of car parks, industrial zones, warehouses and distribution centres.

History of Armco Barriers

Armco barriers were first developed by the Sheffield Steel Corporation of Kansas, USA, in 1933.

The iconic ‘W’-shape design was originally known as a Flex-Beam guard rail but became known as Armco barriers after the Armco Steel Corporation took over the company.

Over time, advancements in materials and technology have refined their design and functionality – including the addition of galvanised steel treatments to improve weatherproofing.

Initially used in military applications during World War II, these steel barriers gained popularity as road safety measures. These days, you’ll also find Armco barriers being used off-road, in car parks, factories, industrial warehouses and more.

What does Armco stand for?

Armco stands for the American Rolling Mill Company. Armco Barrier is a brand of corrugated steel barriers originally manufactured by the American Rolling Mill Company, which was established in 1899.

In 1986, the European branches of the company began operating under the name ARMCO Specialty Steels Europe.

In 1999, the parent company merged with AK Steel Corp. and the company name was changed. Yet, the name Armco remained and became synonymous with high-quality steel safety barriers.

The term “Armco” is applied to any type of crash barrier made and reinforced with galvanised steel. Armco barriers come in a variety of styles and sizes, depending on their function and application.

They can also be installed upright or slanted at an angle for greater safety performance in a range of settings.

Browse our Armco Barriers solutions.

What are Armco barriers made from?

Armco crash barriers are made from ultra-tough galvanised steel, which can withstand impact from vehicles of any size and weight. The protective nature of Armco barriers is why they must be manufactured to the highest industry standard.

An Armco barrier is typically made with a standard thickness of 3mm. The corrugated steel material is usually painted to ensure its durability. These types of barrier networks are available in varying heights and lengths which can be produced upon request.

What are the uses of Armco safety barriers?

Traditionally, Armco barriers were introduced as road safety barriers. However, they are also commonly used off-road, both indoors or out, wherever there is a need to protect people and property.

For example:

Buildings of all kinds (inside or outside)
Car parks
Construction sites
Pedestrian walkways
Factories
Warehouses
Airports
Stadiums
Train stations
Perimeter fences to protect properties

The easy installation and Armco barriers allow them to be used as safety crash barriers across a wide variety of settings.

How are Armco Barriers made?

The process of making Armco barriers is fairly straightforward, but every step must be carried out carefully to ensure the barriers effectively prevent accidents and protect people.

Here’s how we make Armco barriers at our manufacturing plant in Yorkshire:

Raw materials

We start by sourcing the highest-quality mild steel for our Armco barriers.

CT Safety Barriers work with some of the best steel suppliers in the UK. Our strong relationship with these suppliers means we get materials at the lowest prices – which allows us to pass the savings on to our customers.

Cutting

Next, the steel sheets are precision cut to the required lengths and shapes, using specialised cutting machines. These machines allow us to customise your Armco barriers to meet specific measurements, so the barrier fits perfectly in your space.

Forming

The cut steel pieces then move on to the forming stage, where they are shaped into the distinctive profile of the Armco barrier.

Roll forming is a technique that involves passing the steel through a rolling machine that gradually moulds the sheet into the desired shape. This process ensures uniformity and precision in the final product.

After shaping, our Armco parts are also pre-stamped with the correctly sized and positioned holes needed for assembly.

Galvanising

Galvanisation is a critical step in the manufacturing process of Armco barriers.

Hot-dip galvanising is the process of coating iron or steel by immersing the steel in a bath of molten zinc at a temperature of around 450 °C.

The zinc prevents oxygen and water from reaching the steel, extending the life of Armco barriers and helping to protect them from corrosion.

Assembly

Following galvanisation, the individual parts of the Armco barriers – including posts and beams – are assembled. This involves welding or bolting the pieces together to create a sturdy and secure barrier.

The assembly phase is crucial in ensuring the integrity and strength of the final product. At CT Safety Barriers, our expert welders are qualified to BS 4872 standards, so you can be sure your barriers are assembled carefully and correctly.

How are Armco barriers installed?

Armco safety barriers can be installed in two ways using our in-house manufactured Armco posts:

Dug In: This process involves digging the Armco barrier into the ground and filling up the hole with concrete or asphalt. This works best when the ground is soft. Anchors can be drilled into the ground by machine or by hand. It’s important that this process is carried out by experts to ensure the utmost reliability for your barrier.
Bolted Down: This process involves driving bolts through pre-drilled holes in your posts into concrete blocks below them. This is a more suitable option for harder ground.

The first step of installation is to ensure that the ground is level and firm so that the barrier can be dug in or bolted down effectively. The base material (concrete or asphalt) needs to be suitable for your application.

The next step is to measure the length and width of your metal barrier before placing your order from a trusted supplier such as CT Safety Barriers.

Read our Armco posts guide for more information.

Looking for an Armco Safety Barrier Supplier?

Look no further than CT Safety Barriers! Armco safety barriers manufactured by CT Safety are designed and built to meet British Safety Standards. Using our own production facilities, we can manufacture safety barriers quickly, ensuring delivery is fast.

We’ve earned our reputation for exceptional customer service through ISO 9001 certification and our commitment to quality is evident in everything we do.

Crash-tested Armco barriers from CT Safety Barriers have been installed at construction sites, along roadways, buildings, etc. throughout the United Kingdom for years. See our completed projects.

Besides Armco barriers, we also manufacture warehouse protection, safety handrails, hoop barriers and bollards. Our production facilities enable us to manufacture and install these safety barriers quickly and precisely, so that you can be sure your site will remain protected even under challenging circumstances.

Contact us, and we will take time to understand your complete safety requirements, help you choose the right Armco barrier system for your needs and handle the entire installation process.