Water filled barriers – choosing the right one for your site

At Site HQ we carry four types of Water filled barriers our non-MASH rated barriers (KI 1000, X-Stream, X-Site) and MASH-rated crash barriers (Shield 1). The right choice depends on your required speed rating, site location, and whether road authority approval is needed.

Over the past two decades, we have seen a significant growth in the use of plastic water filled barriers across Australia. These typically orange and white plastic barriers are seen everywhere from construction sites to roadworks and are great safety barrier solution for traffic management, worksites and crash protection.

These barriers are made of UV stabilised polyethylene, making them light, maneuverable and easy to install. Each plastic barrier is usually 2 metres long, with the units connected through either an interlocking or pin system that can be installed at any length, depending on your unique site requirements.  Once the barriers are in place and interlocked, they are then filled with water to create a heavy-duty and difficult to move barricade.

There are a range of different options available, ensuring the perfect solution for every situation. At Site HQ, we offer four types of water filled barriers:

KI 1000

The KI 1000 is a lighter option, commonly used for pedestrian delineation and around slow-moving vehicles. Fitted with reflective tape, these highly visible barriers have two apertures topside for the fitment of hazard lights, pole signage or extended mesh fencing.  The barrier is easy to install with a simple interlocking system that allows the fencing to remain connected while moving through angles up to 120 degrees each way.

While these fences are not crash-rated, the light-weight nature of these products makes them perfect for use in car parks or to protect assets and people in locations such as events or festivals. The lighter build also means the KI 1000 is less expensive than some other products on the market.

Shield 1 Barrier

The Shield 1 Barrier is a MASH TL-1 tested water-filled barrier, tested at 50 km/h. Its patented composite design combines high-strength, modified UV-stabilised polyethylene with a durable steel pin connection system. Australian made and approved by road authorities across the country, the Shield 1 Barrier is road rated for speeds of up to 50 km/h. Its accredited design, strength and durability make it ideal for protecting people and assets on roads and major construction sites.

X-Stream

Our X-Stream Water Filled Barrier is a lightweight and cost-effective solution for creating clearly defined walkways and separating work areas on building sites. Weighing just 20 kg when empty, each barrier is easy to manoeuvre, position and install before being filled with water to provide increased stability. The barrier weighs approximately 205 kg when filled and features a secure interlocking connection system, allowing multiple units to be joined together to create continuous barrier runs.

Each barrier has an effective length of 1900 mm, a height of 900 mm and a width of 500 mm. Designed to be filled to only 25% capacity, the X-Stream provides a practical and economical alternative when a more robust solution than a standard crowd control barrier is required.

X-Site

Our fourth option is the X-Site Water Filled Barrier, a heavy-duty pedestrian zone barrier designed to clearly delineate restricted areas and manage crowd flow. It is an ideal choice for events and construction sites, particularly where controlled road closures are in place and traffic management measures are required.

Each barrier weighs 31 kg when empty, making it relatively easy to manoeuvre and position before being filled with water. Once filled, it weighs approximately 360 kg, providing a stable and highly visible barrier system. The simple interlocking design allows multiple units to be connected quickly to create continuous barrier runs.

Measuring 2200 mm long, 990 mm high and 600 mm wide, the X-Site has a water capacity of 320 litres and is available in orange or white. For greater versatility, it can also be fitted with anti-gawk screens or mesh fence tops to increase height, improve privacy and provide additional separation between pedestrians, worksites and restricted areas.

Benefits of water filled barriers

There are many benefits for using water filled barriers across a variety of locations and purposes. Through our extensive experience and feedback from clients, the Site HQ team has identified four key benefits.

1. Easy to set up

Concrete or steel barriers are usually much longer and heavier, which makes them difficult to move around. These heavy alternatives also typically require additional set up equipment, such as a forklift or crane for positioning. The light weight, shorter and easy to manoeuvre nature of water filled barriers makes them far easier to set up and pack down than the alternatives available on the market.

2. Simple to transport and store

The lightweight build of water filled barriers also makes them easy to transport. Trucks can typically carry five times more water-filled barriers than concrete barriers in one load, as each unit is lighter and smaller.  

3. More versatile

As concrete or steel barriers are heavy and difficult to manage, it can be challenging to set them up in some locations. Water filled barriers are more flexible and can taper around corners or intersections far easier, without needing any additional componentry.  

4. Simple to mold around a project

Water filled barriers can be moved longitudinally, which allows a project team to move the barriers along the section they’re working in to ensure only that section is protected. This eliminates the need to place barriers along the entire length of the work zone, while still offering enough protection. 

With water filled barriers becoming an increasingly popular option across Australia, Site HQ has a growing range of options on offer. Our professional, knowledgeable and experienced team can also provide guidance to help you pick the perfect option for your situation, budget and requirements.

FAQs

To find the perfect solution for your needs or to hear more about our available options, simply reach out to our team today on 1300 748 347.