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Amatex in their enthusiasm to open niches within the market  in other less usual sectors relating to the use of treated wood and seeing the increasing need for a vehicle-containing product compatible with its siting in Natural Spaces, then decided to put their considerable expertise and acumen into the design of a unique safety barrier.

The barrier designed, tested and manufactured by Amatex is called UBM (Una Barrera de Madera: A Wooden Barrier).  It was designed on the basis of four principal points:

The barrier is manufactured by combining the advantages of two materials: steel and wood.  The containment is achieved by means of the steel elements, as much in the posts as in the band, of proven effectiveness.  The wood increases the protection of the occupants as it represents the insertion of a soft material which diminishes the effect of the impact and eliminates the cutting edges in both the posts and the band (particularly important in the case of motorcyclists, the body never crashes against the steel or any edge).  The wood provides an unbeatable finish which facilitates the use of the barrier in any surroundings, even in those of greatest natural value.

The wood components are manufactured with “Soria pine” wood of the best quality, dried, manufactured and subjected to treatment in an autoclave.  This combination of techniques guarantees durability against climatic pathogens and agents, superior even to galvanised steel.  The metallic components are all steel which is hot-laminated, of S235 JR type and grade (in accordance with EN 10025) and hot-dip galvanised (according to EN ISO 1461).

The UBM safety barrier is different from other wooden barriers manufactured abroad due to the following characteristics which we consider makes our barrier the most complete one on the market:

Characteristics Ease of installation. The only wood barrier to be sited with shock absorber-separator. Cat’s eyes according to requirements. Its design permits perfect adaptation to areas with a large number of bends. Ease of repair in the event of crashes. Possibility of converting the old metallic barriers into new “UBM” barriers Metallic steel foot with universal wood protector. Minimum maintenance (one coat of water-based varnish leaves the “UBM” barrier looking as good as new for between 4 and 6 years). Safety Wood protectors, without edges, for the posts right to the floor. Reduced distance of the band to the floor, to avoid bodies slipping underneath. Inclination of the protection band which facilitates the redirecting of the vehicle. Rounded borders. Use of separators, which eliminate the possibility of impact of wheels against the posts and subsequent loss of control. Wide, protective band, elevated to a useful height, which reduces the possibility of vehicles going over it. Functional aspects Reflectors incorporated in the band at recommended height and inserted within the design itself of the barrier. Perfect accommodation to stretches with excessive bends, avoiding the polygonal design of round barriers.  The possibility of the vehicle rotating in the event of impact on a winding stretch of road is thereby reduced; such rotation not being reproduced in trials. Modularity.  Possibility of converting conventional metallic barriers into UBM ones keeping the posts in the ground. Special pieces at the start and end of the barrier to achieve the correct inclination of the band. Long durability. Behaviour Progressive absorption of the impact.  To begin with the energy is absorbed by the crushing of the wood, the deformation of the metallic edge of the band and, principally, by the deformation of the steel posts.  When the deformation begins to be significant is when the wood separator comes into play with a dual effect: deformation of the fixing screw/wood, due to the length of the screw, its diameter and the crushing of the wood; breakage of the separator, which starts to work incisively producing, due to its insertion with vertical fibres, the slippage of the fibres  which act as a viscous shock absorber. Aesthetics In the field of aesthetics and integration within the natural environment, although it is a matter of opinion, it presents the best results of all barriers installed within Spain, with a unique, slim design which reduces visual fatigue.  Amatex’s concern for the environment leads it to using wood certified as Sustainable.  The CO2 draining effect of the barrier is also important, when compared with that of the metallic barrier. TRIALS The UBM safety barrier has been tested on the basis of the EN 1317-2:1998 European guidelines on Containment Levels.  Said trials are those recommended in the Circular Order of the Ministry for containment barriers.  During the course of these trials, the following qualifications were obtained: The trials carried out were those required in order to obtain the N1 and N2 levels of the EN 1317-2:1998 guidelines.  The trials took place in the prestigious CIDAUT centre. Trial TB31 (Saloon car of 1300Kg, at 80Km/h and 20º), carried out at CIDAUT with the trial reference number 313-164-BD01.  The result concluded: Level of Containment: N1 Severity Classification: ASI= 0,50.  Class A (ASI<1,0).  Severity index  A provides greater safety to the occupants than B, and is preferable in the same circumstances. Working Width:  W = 1,1m.  Class W4 (W less or equal to 1,3m). Severity of Impact Index:  A, PHD = 14g (Maximum value less or equal to 20g).

Trial TB32 (Saloon car of 1500Kg, at 110 Km/h and 20º), carried out at CIDAUT with the trial reference number 313-049-BE02.  The result concluded: Level of Containment:  N2 (together with TB11) Severity Classification:  ASI= 0,70.  Class A (ASI<1,0).  Severity index  A provides greater safety to the occupants than B, and is preferable in the same circumstances. Working Width:  W = 2,5m.  Class W7 (W less or equal to 1,3m). Severity of Impact Index:  A, PHD = 12g (Maximum value less or equal to 20g).   Trial TB11 (Saloon car of 900Kg, at 100 Km/h and 20º), carried out at CIDAUT with the trial reference number 313-049-BA01.  The result concluded: Level of Containment:  N2 (together with TB32) Severity Classification:  ASI= 0,70.  Class A (ASI<1,0).  Severity index  A provides greater safety to the occupants than B, and is preferable in the same circumstances. Working Width:  W = 1,3m.  Class W4 (W less or equal to 1,3m). Severity of Impact Index:  A, PHD = 10g (Maximum value less or equal to 20g).

It has passed trial TB31 and is adapted to roads of low traffic intensity.  These roads, in general, are of scarce platform width, sinuous lay-out, narrow lane, and low speed.  The working width is very important on these roads, above all in trouble spots, and in our case the behaviour was exceptional: 1,1m (1m the dynamic deflection), forgetting working widths of 1,5 or 2m.  The design of the barrier achieves this value with progressive behaviour which as a result provides excellent values for indicators of damage to occupants ASI, THIV and PHD as defined in the UNE 1317-1, and vehicle VCDI, with 0 value in all its components.  To guarantee maximum safety, trial TB32, required for level N2, was carried out on this same barrier, also with very good results in all facets (dynamic deflection 1,8m, indicators of damage to occupants very similar and VCDI also 0).

It passed trials TB32 and TB11.  It is a barrier designed for roads.  It is a barrier that exhibits excellent behaviour in trial TB32, vehicle of 1500kg at 110 km/h, more enveloping in the event of an accident, but regardless of which has greater working width with lower speeds than the UBM-N1.  All the damage indicators are very good.

In conclusion, Amatex presents two barriers, optimum solutions for all circumstances: UBM-N1 for roads with low intensity of traffic, more rigid but with very progressive deformation, protects the vehicle and its occupants with a very low working width; UBM-N2 more elastic, for roads in general, designed for containment at higher speed with the same protection requirements.  We recommend the specific barrier be used in each situation, making full use of the safety provisions of the UBM barriers.

Note: To guarantee the safety provisions of the barrier as demonstrated in the trials, it is necessary to use controlled materials classified in accordance with their resistance, as this is the only way to maintain the elastic and mechanical properties and therefore the behaviour of the barrier.  This precaution taken with the rest of the materials must also be adhered to with the wood.  Respect for the environment and the use of renewable materials, essential together with their excellent behaviour for use in barriers with wood, demand the use of wood with Certificate of Sustainability.  Cesefor recommends Soria Burgos Pine, the maximum quality with the maximum respect for the environment.