What Is Barricades?

Barricade (from the French barrique – ‘barrel’) is any object or structure that creates a barrier or obstacle to control, block passage or force the flow of traffic in the desired direction. Adopted as a military term, a barricade denotes any improvised field fortification, such as on city streets during urban warfare.

Barricades also include temporary traffic barricades designed with the goal of dissuading passage into a protected or hazardous area or large slabs of cement whose goal is to prevent forcible passage by a vehicle. Stripes on barricades and panel devices slope downward in the direction traffic must travel.^[2][3]

There are also pedestrian barricades – sometimes called bike rack barricades for their resemblance to a now obsolete form of bicycle stand, or police barriers. They originated in France approximately 50 years ago and are now produced around the world. They were first produced in the U.S. 40 years ago by Friedrichs Mfg^[4] for New Orleans‘s Mardi Gras parades.

Anti-vehicle barriers and blast barriers are sturdy barricades that can respectively counter vehicle and bomb attacks.

Barricades are used for crowd control applications at public events or during exceptionally busy shopping times. Different types of barricade are designed to fit the environment and use cases the organizer decides on.

Bridge Feet

Typically used for outdoor use, where the ground is not perfectly flat. The bridge design of the feet allows for better stability.

Flat Feet

Used on surfaces such as streets, sidewalks, and tarmacs, these barricades are designed for use on flat surfaces.

Heavy Duty Feet

Similar to flat feet, but larger in size and made of heavy duty steel, allowing for more durability and support.

Barricade Gates

These gates swing open like a doorway, allowing for passage of people of goods through a run of barricades.

Expanding Barricades

Designed for indoor use and for use on sites where construction or work is occurring. Easy to move and store these barricades serve as a temporary barricade.