Site Access Barrier FAQs
Looking for information about site access barriers? Below you’ll find answers to common questions about barrier sizes, applications, manual operation, installation, locking and choosing the right barrier for your entrance.
Our manual site access barriers are available in lengths from 3m to 7m, with 0.5m increments across the range. They can be used to control vehicle access at construction sites, compounds, yards, private access roads and other restricted entrances.
If you already know the size you require, you can go directly to the relevant barrier:
- 3m Site Access Barrier
- 3.5m Site Access Barrier
- 4m Site Access Barrier
- 4.5m Site Access Barrier
- 5m Site Access Barrier
- 5.5m Site Access Barrier
- 6m Site Access Barrier
- 6.5m Site Access Barrier
- 7m Site Access Barrier
Alternatively, browse our complete Site Access Barriers range to compare the available sizes.
General Site Access Barrier Questions
What is a site access barrier?
A site access barrier is a physical barrier used to control vehicle movement into or out of a restricted area.
The barrier arm can be lowered across an entrance when vehicle access needs to be restricted and raised when authorised vehicles need to pass.
They are commonly used at construction sites, compounds, industrial premises, yards and private access roads.
What are site access barriers used for?
Site access barriers provide a clearly defined physical control point at a vehicle entrance.
Typical applications include:
- Construction site entrances
- Building site compounds
- Industrial yards
- Storage compounds
- Commercial premises
- Private access roads
- Contractor entrances
- Staff vehicle entrances
- Delivery access points
- Restricted vehicle areas
The appropriate barrier and installation will depend on the dimensions, layout and requirements of the individual access point.
Are site access barriers suitable for construction sites?
Yes. Manual access barriers are particularly useful at construction sites where vehicle movements are controlled by site personnel.
They can be used at the main site entrance, construction compounds, storage areas or other locations where vehicle access needs to be physically controlled.
Can a site access barrier be used on a private road?
A manual barrier can be suitable for private roads and other controlled entrances, subject to the dimensions, installation requirements and intended use of the location.
Are these barriers for vehicles or pedestrians?
These barriers are primarily intended for vehicle access control.
Pedestrian access and safety should be considered separately when planning the layout of an entrance. A vehicle barrier should not be treated as a replacement for appropriate pedestrian access arrangements.
Choosing the Correct Barrier Size
What sizes of site access barrier are available?
Our site access barriers are available in nine lengths:
- 3m Site Access Barrier
- 3.5m Site Access Barrier
- 4m Site Access Barrier
- 4.5m Site Access Barrier
- 5m Site Access Barrier
- 5.5m Site Access Barrier
- 6m Site Access Barrier
- 6.5m Site Access Barrier
- 7m Site Access Barrier
This allows you to select a barrier length appropriate for the width and layout of your access point.
How do I choose the correct site access barrier length?
Start by measuring the entrance or roadway you need to control.
The barrier needs to provide appropriate coverage across the access point while also allowing sufficient space for correct installation and operation.
Don’t automatically choose the longest barrier available. Selecting a size appropriate for the individual entrance is generally the better approach.
If you’re unsure, contact us with the dimensions of your entrance and we can help you identify the most appropriate option.
Which barrier should I choose for a small site entrance?
For narrower vehicle entrances, start by looking at the shorter barriers in the range:
- 3m Site Access Barrier
- 3.5m Site Access Barrier
- 4m Site Access Barrier
The correct size will depend on the actual dimensions of your access point rather than the type of site alone.
Which barrier should I choose for a medium-width entrance?
For access points requiring more coverage, consider:
- 4m Site Access Barrier
- 4.5m Site Access Barrier
- 5m Site Access Barrier
Measure the entrance before ordering so you can select the most appropriate length.
Which barriers are suitable for wider site entrances?
For wider construction compounds, industrial entrances and larger vehicle access points, consider:
- 5.5m Site Access Barrier
- 6m Site Access Barrier
- 6.5m Site Access Barrier
- 7m Site Access Barrier
The 7m model is the longest individual barrier in our standard range.
What is the longest site access barrier available?
Our longest individual site access barrier is the 7m Site Access Barrier.
It is designed for extra-wide entrances where one of the shorter barriers does not provide sufficient coverage.
What if my entrance is wider than 7 metres?
For entrances wider than the coverage available from a single barrier, the most appropriate arrangement will depend on the layout of the site.
In some applications, barriers can be positioned from opposite sides of a wider entrance.
Contact our team with your entrance dimensions if you need help determining the most appropriate configuration.
Manual Barrier Operation
Are your site access barriers manually operated?
Yes. Our site access barriers are manually operated.
This makes them suitable for locations where site personnel control vehicle access and an electrically powered automatic barrier system is not required.
Are the barriers gas assisted?
Our gas-assisted manual barriers use dampers to assist with raising and lowering the barrier arm, making regular manual operation more straightforward.
Check the individual product specification for the barrier length you are considering for model-specific details.
Do manual site access barriers require electricity?
A manual barrier does not require an electrical supply for normal manual raising and lowering.
This can make manual barriers particularly useful on construction sites, compounds and other locations where an automated access-control system is unnecessary.
Can the barrier be locked?
Our site access barriers can be secured in the raised and lowered positions.
This allows the barrier to remain open when vehicle access is permitted and secured across the entrance when access needs to be restricted.
Check the individual product page for the locking equipment supplied with your chosen model.
Can the barrier be left open?
Where the product configuration allows it, the barrier can be secured in its raised position when the entrance needs to remain open.
This can be useful during periods of regular authorised vehicle movement.
Installation and Fixing
What fixing options are available?
Our site access barriers are available with bolt-down and root-fixed (concrete-in) installation options.
The appropriate option depends on the surface, location and requirements of the installation.
What is a bolt-down site access barrier?
A bolt-down barrier has a pedestal designed to be secured to a suitable prepared surface using appropriate fixings.
This can provide a practical installation method where a suitable base is already available.
What is a root-fixed site access barrier?
A root-fixed barrier is designed to be installed into a suitable concrete foundation.
This is sometimes referred to as a concrete-in barrier.
The appropriate installation method should be selected according to the site conditions and intended application.
Are fixing bolts included?
Fixings are supplied with applicable barrier configurations. Refer to the individual product page for the exact fixing specification supplied with the barrier you are ordering.
Barrier Arm Support
What is an end rest?
An end rest supports the free end of the barrier arm when the barrier is lowered across the entrance.
Our standard barrier configurations are available with a lockable end rest.
What is a Pogo Tip Support?
A Pogo Tip Support provides support toward the end of the barrier arm and rises with the arm when the barrier is opened.
It provides an alternative to using a separate fixed end rest on the opposite side of the entrance.
Should I choose an end rest or Pogo Tip Support?
The most appropriate option depends on the layout and requirements of your entrance.
A fixed end rest provides a defined support point when the barrier is lowered. A Pogo Tip Support rises with the barrier arm and can be useful where a separate fixed support on the opposite side of the entrance is not preferred.
Barrier Colours and Visibility
What colours are the site access barriers available in?
The standard finish across our range is red and white.
Alternative colour combinations are also available on applicable models, including:
- Yellow / Black
- Blue / White
- Green / White
Check the individual barrier product page for the colour options available for your chosen size.
Why are barrier arms supplied in contrasting colours?
Contrasting colours help make the barrier arm clearly visible across the vehicle entrance.
Visibility is particularly important at construction sites, yards and other locations where vehicles regularly approach the controlled access point.
Buying a Site Access Barrier
Can I buy a site access barrier online?
Yes. You can select the required barrier length and available configuration options through our website.
Start by browsing the complete Site Access Barriers range or choose one of the individual sizes listed below.
Which site access barrier should I buy?
The first consideration should be the width and layout of the entrance.
Our range includes:
3m Site Access Barrier – for access points requiring a shorter barrier arm.
3.5m Site Access Barrier – provides an additional 0.5m of coverage over the 3m model.
4m Site Access Barrier – a useful option for medium-width vehicle access points.
4.5m Site Access Barrier – provides additional coverage where a 4m arm is too short.
5m Site Access Barrier – designed for wider site and compound entrances.
5.5m Site Access Barrier – provides additional coverage for wider vehicle access points.
6m Site Access Barrier – suited to large construction compounds and wide entrances.
6.5m Site Access Barrier – designed for extra-wide access points where a 6m arm is insufficient.
7m Site Access Barrier – the longest individual barrier in our standard range.
Always measure your entrance before selecting a barrier.
Where can I compare all the available barrier sizes?
Visit our Site Access Barriers category to compare the complete range of 3m to 7m barriers, including current prices and available product options.
Still Not Sure Which Site Access Barrier You Need?
Choosing the correct barrier starts with knowing the dimensions and layout of the entrance you need to control.
If you’re unsure whether you require a 3m, 4m, 5m, 6m, 7m or intermediate-length barrier, contact our team with the approximate width of your access point.
We can help you identify the most appropriate barrier from our 3m to 7m Site Access Barrier range.