What is an Expandable Barricade?

What is an Expandable Barricade? An expandable barricade otherwise known as an accordion barricade is an object or structure that creates a barrier or obstacle capable of blocking passage or forces the flow of traffic in a desired direction. Additionally, expandable barricades have the capability of expanding and contracting to different lengths cordoning off restricted areas.

Expanding barricades are quintessential when it comes to blocking off work areas in a quick and easy manner. Rather than moving around a 40 lb 8 foot steel barricade, you can wheel around a 14 – 30 lb expandable barricade to block off sections you don’t want others to have access to.

Different Types Of Expandable Barricades And How They Work

FlexPro Series:

The FlexPro series features a sturdy steel frame with aluminum cross members. This expandable barricade comes in two different lengths depending on the distance you need covered. The FlexPro 110 expands up to 11 ft in length and is available in yellow and black or red and white. FlexPro 160 expands up to 16 ft having the same two color options as the FlexPro110. These OSHA colors are specifically chosen for their high visibility, the yellow indicates caution required and the red danger. When fully contracted a latch keeps the barricade closed, making transport and storage of these expandable barricades easy and efficient.

FlexPro barricades are designed with an interlocking feature, meaning that you can lock multiple barricades together to make a barrier of any length. The FlexPro range also features locking wheels; you can set at any length you want.

FlexMaster Series:

The FlexMaster series comes all in polyethylene making it rust proof.. This series is known for being lightweight, but durable. The FlexMaster series shares many traits with the FlexPro series like their interlocking hook and loop feature, their color combinations, as well as the locking mechanism on their wheels. The FlexMaster also has a model without wheels that is lightweight and fillable with water to further reinforce the structural integrity of the barrier. This series is a more budget friendly alternative to the all metal FlexPro series.

FlexGate:

This series comes in the same two OSHA colors as the previous series, however unlike those series, this model doesn’t come with wheels. Instead, the FlexGate comes with rubber feet to keep the barricade from moving. Its lightweight design removes the need for wheels as you can just carry the barricade when it’s folded up.

Mobile Expandable Barrier

This Expandable Mobile Barrier restricts access to work or cleaning areas and is designed for ease of use, mobility, and storage. The articulating panels can be deployed in straight, curved, or circular configurations. Moreover, the barrier extends to 13 feet in length and compacts to under 12 inches for convenient storage. Weighing only 35 pounds and equipped with two 5-inch diameter wheels for easy mobility. All the while locking straps keep it securely closed when not in use.

Where Do Expandable Barricades Excel?

Now that we have answered the question, what is an expandable barricade? We can review applications best suited to this type of barrier.

Warehouse:

In warehouse environments, the introduction of expandable barricades serves as a practical solution to enhance safety protocols. These barricades effectively section off areas where forklifts or other heavy machinery operate, minimizing the risk of accidents involving both employees and customers. By implementing these measures, warehouse managers can instill a culture of safety and professionalism while optimizing workflow efficiency.

Hardware Stores:

The bustling aisles of hardware super stores must be closed off while scissor lifts or forklifts are in use. As these are public settings ensuring entry to aisles where equipment is in use is barred is vital. Expanding barricades are ideal for this environment as they can completely block off an aisle without the risk of pedestrians climbing over or ducking under the barrier. Expanding barricades can be easily wheeled between aisles so there is no need to purchase a barricade for each aisle. This simple, effective barrier system not only safeguards the well-being of customers and staff but also streamlines logistical operations within the store environment.

Security Gates:

Access control is a key element in crowd management at events. Perimeters are typically secured with static 8’ steel ‘bike rack’ barricades but entry and exit points must be established. Being able to open the perimeter barrier is vital to allow entry and exit of EMS and other first responders and to allow mass egress of the crowd in the event of an emergency. The expanding barricade is ideal for this application. Extending up to 11’ or 16’ feet depending on the model, when retracted they provide a large-scale opening to easy access of vehicles or large numbers of pedestrians. The other feature that makes this barricade the best option as a gate for use in large crowds is that it opens in a linear way rather than a typical swing gate. This means that you do not have to swing the gate into the crowd to open it facilitating fast operation even in densely packed crowds.

Conclusion

In conclusion, by answering: what is an expandable barricade and how they excel, we can better tell how valuable they truly are. Expandable barricades, or accordion barricades, offer a versatile and efficient solution for managing access in a wide range of environments. Their ability to expand and contract allows for quick deployment and easy storage, while their lightweight and mobile design ensures convenient handling. These barricades are indispensable in warehouses for sectioning off areas with machinery in use, in hardware stores for safeguarding customers and staff, and as security gates for preventing unauthorized access and allowing emergency access. Overall, expandable barricades excel in providing safety, convenience, and security wherever they are deployed.

If you want to see more content like this one be sure to check out our Youtube
If you want to see more products like this one, be sure to check out our other Barricades.
If you liked this post be sure to check out our other post on The Versatility of Throw Over Barricade Covers