Tall vehicles in low clearance areas can be risky when you find no height limits on roads and parking areas. You can damage your vehicle or hit low structures, parking roofs and tunnels. That’s why height restriction rules and barriers are used.
Today, you will understand what is height restriction and where you will see height limits. We will also explain which types of safety devices you can use to avoid height restriction violation.
Height Restriction Meaning
Height restriction is a rule that informs you about the maximum height allowed for a vehicle or object. You should follow this limit to drive on roads and in parking areas. These rules are enforced to protect road structures such as bridges and tunnels.
If your vehicle is too tall than a set limit, you cannot move your vehicle forward. In this case, you have to choose an alternative route. This rule is helpful for you to avoid damage and keep every road user safe.
Height Restriction Laws
- Height restriction laws are safety rules that tell you the required space above roads so you can pass your vehicle safely. The minimum standard clearance over any public road is around 16 feet 6 inches (5.03 meters).
- But when the clearance is lower than 5.03 m, traffic authorities must place warning signs before and on the structure to alert rivers.
- You will find posted clearance mostly 75 mm less than the actual height. It gives you extra safety space.
- Most road vehicles such as containers & trucks are 4.2 meters tall. For these types of transport, the recommended minimum headroom (free space above a road) is 4.65 meters to give you extra safety gap and room for lighting fixtures.
- Further, you have to check the height of emergency vehicles with local services. Because you need to make sure they have enough space to pass.
- You should also keep extra clearance in mind in case new road layers are added later. When you travel on the road, you must remember that changes in road slope can reduce height restriction for long vehicles.
Car Park Height Restriction
Car park height restriction means the maximum height which is legal for your car if you want to enter a parking area. These rules keep your car safe and also prevent damage to parking buildings. Generally, the height limit for a car park is around 1.9 to 2.5 meters. For multilevel and covered parking areas, you have to follow the height restriction of 2.0 to 2.1 meters.
Car Park Height Restrictors: It is a physical bar that is installed to stop tall vehicles from entering a place. They block unauthorized vehicles entry in parking or low clearance areas.
Height Restriction Barriers Regulations: Standard car park barriers are mostly 2.0 to 2.8 meters high. You must keep them highly visible. Further, you can paint them with reflective colors so the driver can see these barriers easily.
Height Restriction System
Road authorities and transport departments place safety devices to keep you safe and stop your car from hitting low bridges or structures.
Height Restriction Barrier
The physical structure or devices that are installed to control the tallest height of vehicles are called height restriction barriers. Mostly, you will see them at parking garages, toll areas, public buildings, construction sites, industrial warehouses, under bridges, and low clearance zones.
When your vehicle is too tall, the barrier stops your entry. Temporary height restriction barriers are portable safety bars. You can use these devices for a short time at your construction sites, car parks, road works or maintenance areas. Following are major types of height restriction barriers.
Fixed Arm Height Restrictors: They are strong metal bars and stay in a fixed position. That means you can not move them up or down. You should install them at entry points.
Rising Arm Height Restriction Barriers: Rising arm barriers move upward to allow vehicle access. You mostly see them in modern parking areas. Although they make entry easy but also keep height control for safety.
Swing Arm Height Restriction Barriers: You can open swing arm barriers sideways like a door. Hence, you use them in areas with limited overhead space.
Height Restriction Sign/Overhead Signage
Height restriction signs are important traffic signs which are installed to warn you about the maximum overhead height. You will find them in colors like red, white, yellow or black text. They show you height limits in meters or both metric and imperial units. You see these signs on roads, bridges, tunnels and in parking areas.
Low overhead clearance advance warning sign (W13-3): You will notice signs before low structures when clearance is below 4.4 m. Basically, it tells you to check your vehicle height early.
Low overhead clearance-indication on structure or tunnel (W13-4): This sign is placed directly on structures when clearance is below 4.4 m. They show you the exact height limit. You can see the clearance when you approach a low clearance place.
Height Restriction Bar
These are simple and horizontal metal bars that block tall vehicle entry at the entrance. It is a high-visibility suspended bar. This shows maximum height limits in car parks and tunnels.
They are mostly yellow and black. When a tall vehicle hits them, these bars make a sound. This way, they keep you alert to avoid damage to your vehicle and overhead structures.
Over Height Detection System
An over-height detection system (OHDS) is a sensor-based safety device. This system automatically checks your vehicle height before you reach low bridges or tunnels.
Basically, it uses sensors to operate such as lasers or optical beams to detect height. After detection, this device gives you visual or sound warnings about height restriction. So, you can take another route and avoid accidents.
Places with Height Restrictions
Parking Garages: Mostly, you will find height limits in гаражи для парковки for the safety of building ceiling and pipes. To enter and park your vehicle, you must check the height and height rules.
Bridges and Underpasses: Мосты and underpasses have height limits to stop tall vehicles. So you can prevent collisions and damage to structures. This also keeps traffic flow safe.
Tunnels: High restriction rules are implemented in tunnel zones to protect the tunnel roof and interior systems. These limits also prevent lighting systems and ventilation equipment in tunnels.
Industrial Facilities: Industrial facilities use height limits for the safety of machines, storage racks, forklift and workers inside the building. With height restrictors, you can reduce damage caused by tall equipment or vehicles in your factory.
Drive Through Areas: Drive-through areas include restaurants, banks, pharmacies and car service centers. Height restrictions are implemented to protect service windows, roofs plus equipment.
Benefits of Height Restriction
You will get the following advantages when you implement and follow height restriction rules.
- Accidents are minimized
- Vehicle access control
- Traffic flow improvement
- Protect vehicle from damage
- You can increase public safety
- Protection of overhead equipment
- Minimize traffic congestion
- Improve parking lots safety
- Make emergency route accessible
- Construction site safety
- Организация движения транспортных средств
Height Restriction Barrier Manufacturers
There are various companies who design and supply height restriction barriers. You should choose the trusted partner or business who manufactures these barriers according to safety standards and use high quality materials. Below we mention some top height restrictor manufacturers and suppliers.
- Jackwinsafety
- Gramm Barrier Systems Ltd
- Newgate company
- Jacksons fencing
Подвести итог
So, height limit is a useful system to protect roads, parking facilities, buildings and vehicles. Height restriction barrier is an ideal device that you can use to block access to large and unauthorized entries.
We are professional suppliers of height restrictors and signs that you can use in your parking spaces and for road projects. We also provide customized solutions for these barriers, such as width & height according to your property needs. Свяжитесь с нами сейчас!
Часто задаваемые вопросы
How To Measure Vehicle Height?
Firstly, park your vehicle on level ground and make sure the tires are properly inflated. Then, you need to use a metal tape measure to measure the car between ground and the highest point of the vehicle. For ride height, you should start the measurement from the center of the wheel hub to the bottom of the fender.
How Can Drivers Avoid Height Restriction Problems?
As a driver, you must know your vehicle height. You also use navigation tools that show height limits. You must also watch for warning signs on roads or bridges and obey them.
Are Height Restriction Bars Required By Law?
Height restriction bars are not always required by law everywhere. However, they are mostly recommended or required under local safety rules, building codes, and traffic regulations.
