Product in focus: Lo-Ro water filled barriers

A plastic road barrier with MASH TL-2 deflection

The Lo-Ro is a relatively new addition to the Australian barrier market, offering a MASH test level rating of MASH TL-2 protection. It provides excellent protection for posted speed zones up to 70km/hr and is the ideal barrier to hire to ensure you comply with 2022’s updated MASH regulations.

The Lo-Ro is a plastic water-filled barrier that offers best-in-class deflection, shorter clear zones and a shorter minimum length. Its lower profile height provides increased visibility for motorists in urban areas, thereby increasing safety for both your workers and for the public.

MASH stands for “Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware.” MASH guidelines are the preferred testing method that sets the standards for crash testing road barriers in Australia and New Zealand. Prior to being licensed for use, road barrier systems must undergo rigorous MASH testing to ensure their safety. This testing assures that road barriers can be used in real-life crash situations, diverting errant vehicles in a precise direction.

Benefits of the Lo-Ro waterfilled MASH tested barriers

TL-1 and TL-2 deflection

The Lo-Ro is designed for applications where low deflection is critical. These safety barriers have been rigorously and successfully tested for both MASH TL-1 and TL-2, meaning it has multi-speed deflection and is suitable for posted speed limits up to 70km/hr.

Approved across Australia for 70km/hr zones

The Lo-Ro is fully approved by Austroads and compliant with AS/NZS 3845. Many state road authorities have individually approved the Lo-Ro in mash barrier testing for speed zones up to 70km/hr, including NSW RMS, QLD TMR and VicRoads.

Shorter clear zones

When you hire the Lo-Ro barriers, you can take advantage of the convenience of shorter clear zones without compromising on safety. The stout design of this type of water-filled barrier reduces the clear zone requirement, which provides an additional margin of safety for workers on construction sites.

A clear zone is defined as a roadside area that is free of potential hazards, and where an out-of-control vehicle can traverse safely. The width of a clear zone is measured from the edge of the relative to the edge of the travelled way – so the Lo-Ro is a perfect solution for inner-city projects or roadwork sites that are short on space, without the luxury of traditional wide clear zones.

Easy installation

The Lo-Ro safety barrier has a stout design for maximum stability and durability and when full of water it weighs over 700kg. With three galvanized steel cables and strong interlocking knuckles between modules, it minimises penetration into the work zone. Plus, due to the shorter minimum length, fewer barriers are required which saves you money and installation time.

The Lo-Ro is also compatible with the SLED attenuator.

Advice on barrier hire

Many road authorities are adopting MASH as the nominal standard for road safety hardware (barriers) starting from 1st January 2022.

Make sure you’ve got the right barriers in place – get in touch with Orange Hire for advice on the right barriers to hire for your next project.

For more information about our complete range of shoring services and equipment, visit your nearest branch, email [email protected], or call our friendly team of experts at 1800 UR HIRE.