A crowd control barrier is nothing more than a device for controlling traffic. Portable crowd control posts function as visual barriers and guidance systems. They are easy to configure, reconfigure, relocate, and store away when not needed. Posts should have wide, heavyweight bases for stability. However, like other portable objects, posts can topple over if used improperly.
Portable posts with ropes or retractable belts are not intended to be
pulled, pushed, leaned on, or sat upon. Most people understand this safety issue, but very young children, for example, may not. If not properly supervised, they may play with a rope, belt, or post, causing it to topple over and perhaps cause accidental injury.
If your property hosts many guests with very young children who may not be properly supervised, you may wish to choose an alternative guidance system.
Some alternatives include:
- Horizontal Tubes, Beams, and Panels: Unlike posts, these cannot be pulled over with direct downward pressure.
- Removable Posts: These slide into sockets that are permanently mounted in the floor. They can be easily removed and stored as situations demand. They are most appropriate for areas with established traffic patterns.
- Fixed Posts and Railings: Permanently affixed to the floor, these cannot be moved. They are also best used in areas with established traffic patterns.
Note that both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Uniform Federal Accessibilities Standards (UFAS) regulations (ADA/UFAS 4.4.1) regarding “protruding objects” require the use of compliant stanchions or railings, in which the lowest tape, rope, or rail must not exceed a height of 27″ from the floor when measured 12″ or more away from the vertical post surface. This is to ensure that visually impaired people who employ a cane or guide animal can detect the protruding object without a collision.
Source: Lawrence Metal Products, Inc.