Low Profile Airport Barricades
Low profile barricades, including traffic cones, (weighted or sturdily attached to the surface) are acceptable methods used to identify and define the limits of construction and hazardous areas on airports. Careful consideration must be given to selecting equipment that poses the least danger to aircraft but is sturdy enough to remain in place when subjected to typical winds, prop wash and jet blast. The spacing of barricades must be such that a breach is physically prevented barring a deliberate act. For example, if barricades are intended to exclude aircraft, gaps between barricades must be smaller than the wingspan of the smallest aircraft to be excluded; if barricades are intended to exclude vehicles, gaps between barricades must be smaller than the width of the excluded vehicles, generally 4 feet (1.2 meters). Provision must be made for ARFF access if necessary. If barricades are intended to exclude pedestrians, they must be continuously linked. Continuous linking may be accomplished through the use of ropes, securely attached to prevent FOD.
The intent of the FAA AC 150/5370-2G is for Low Profile Airport Barricades to act as a visual delineator for construction or other hazardous situations ahead. Barricades are not permitted in any active safety area or on the runway side of a runway hold line. Within a runway or taxiway object free area, and on aprons, use orange traffic cones, flashing or steady burning red lights as noted above, highly reflective collapsible barricades marked with diagonal, alternating orange and white stripes; and/or signs to separate all construction/maintenance areas from the movement area. Barricades may be supplemented with alternating orange and white flags at least 20 by 20-inch (50 by 50 cm) square and securely fastened to eliminate FOD. All barricades adjacent to any open runway or taxiway / taxi lane safety area, or apron must be as low as possible to the ground, and no more than 18 inches high, exclusive of supplementary lights and flags. Barricades must be of low mass; easily collapsible upon contact with an aircraft or any of its components; and weighted or sturdily attached to the surface to prevent displacement from prop wash, jet blast, wing vortex, and other surface wind currents.
Low Profile Airport Barricades must have at least 1 light per barricade with the lights spaced no greater than 10ft apart. Barricades are allowed to be spaced no greater than 4 feet apart. When measuring for your project you can use these guidelines.
Airport Barricade Lights
Lights must be red, either steady burning or flashing, and must meet the luminance requirements of the State Highway Department. Batteries powering lights will last longer if lights flash. Lights must be mounted on barricades and spaced at no more than 10 feet (3 meters). Lights must be operated between sunset and sunrise and during periods of low visibility whenever the airport is open for operations. They may be operated by photocell, but this may require that the contractor turn them on manually during periods of low visibility during daytime hours.
Guidelines for determining the number of barricades needed
1 Light per barricade/no spacing – Total distance/7.5ft = Total Barricades/Lights
1 Light per barricade/2 ft spacing – Total distance/10ft – Total Barricades/Lights
2 Lights per barricade/no spacing – Total distance/7.5ft – Total Barricades/Lights x 2
2 Lights per barricade/4 ft spacing – Total distance/12ft – Total Barricades/Lights x 2
The Construction Safety and Phasing Plan will show you the configuration for the barricades and lights.
Taxiway Closure Guidelines
Permanently Closed Taxiways. AC 150/5300-13 Airport Design, notes that it is preferable to remove the pavement, but for pavement that is to remain, place an X at the entrance to both ends of the closed section. Obliterate taxiway centerline markings, including runway leadoff lines, leading to the closed taxiway.
Temporarily Closed Taxiways. Place barricades outside the safety area of intersecting taxiways. For runway/taxiway intersections, place an X at the entrance to the closed taxiway from the runway. If the taxiway will be closed for an extended period, obliterate taxiway centerline markings, including runway leadoff lines and taxiway to taxiway turns, leading to the closed section. Always obliterate runway lead-off lines for high speed exits, regardless of the duration of the closure. If the centerline markings will be reused upon reopening the taxiway, it is preferable to paint over the marking. This will result in less damage to the pavement when the upper layer of paint is ultimately removed.
Air Operations Area – Runway/Taxiway Intersections.
Use highly reflective barricades with lights to close taxiways leading to closed runways. Evaluate all operating factors when determining how to mark temporary closures that can last from 10 to 15 minutes to a much longer period of time. However, even for closures of relatively short duration, close all taxiway/runway intersections with barricades. The use of traffic cones is appropriate for short duration closures.
Air Operations Area – Other.
Beyond runway and taxiway object free areas and aprons, barricades intended for construction vehicles and personnel may be many different shapes and made from various materials, including railroad ties, sawhorses, jersey barriers, or barrels.
Maintenance.
The construction specifications must include a provision requiring the contractor to have a person on call 24 hours a day for emergency maintenance of airport hazard lighting and barricades. The contractor must file the contact person’s information with the airport operator. Lighting should be checked for proper operation at least once per day, preferably at dusk.