Car Park Barriers FAQs

Car park barriers are specially engineered barriers, designed to withstand impact loads from vehicles during parking.  They are typically installed along the perimeter edge of car park structures and other areas where there is a drop to a lower level e.g. split level areas and ramps.

Barriers shall be provided to prevent vehicles from running over the edge of a raised platform or deck of a multi-storey car park including the perimeter of all decks above ground level. They are required wherever the drop from the edge of the deck to a lower level exceeds 600mm.

(Reference AS/NZS 2890.1)

Car Park Barriers shall comply with the following requirements:

1. They shall be designed structurally for the loading requirements of AS/NZS 1170.1.

2. If at the end of a parking space, they shall be at least 1.3m high so that drivers of cars backing into the space can see the barrier above the rear of the car. Note the upper portion of such a barrier may be a light structure provided for sighting purposes only.

3. They shall not be made from brickwork, unreinforced concrete or other materials likely to shatter on impact.

(Reference AS/NZS 2890.1)

The horizontal imposed action on barriers required to withstand the accidental impact from vehicles during parking shall be taken as follows;

1. For light traffic areas (Type F)

2. Barriers – 30kN

3. Barriers at the end of straight ramps exceeding 20m in length and intended for downward travel – 240kN

1. For barriers in medium-traffic areas (Type G) – 40kN

The impact force shall be distributed over a 1.5m length at any position along the barrier and shall be assumed to act 0.5m above floor level for light traffic areas and at 1.0m for medium traffic areas.

(Reference AS/NZS 1170.1)

When selecting a car park barrier, it is recommended that you consider the following:

• Has the car park barrier been full-scale crash tested?

• Can the barrier be configured with handrails, providing pedestrian fall protection?

• Will vehicle impacts cause damage to the concrete deck?

• Will damage to the barrier be easy to repair?

The RHINO-STOP® range of car park barriers has been designed by Safe Direction® to provide the following features:

• Crash tested to evaluate compliance with Australian standards. Most of the crash testing has been performed on the edge of elevated concrete slabs.

• Energy-absorbing baseplate design reduces the potential for damage to the anchor bolts and concrete deck.

• Fully modular systems with fewer anchor bolts.

• Can be configured with handrail attachments to provide pedestrian fall protection.

• Hot-dip galvanised components.

A car park barrier prevents vehicles from running over the edge of a raised platform or deck of a multi-storey car park including the perimeter of all decks above ground level. They may also protect pedestrians, buildings, plant & equipment.

Car park barriers are manufactured from durable, hot dip galvanised steel with the option of powder coating.

The height of most car park barriers is up to 1300mm, combining vehicle impact resistance and pedestrian fall protection.