Water Filled Barriers
Water filled barriers separate traffic, pedestrians and work areas on construction sites, roadworks and temporary event sites. Most of the HERMEQ range is made in the UK from plastic that is light to carry into position when empty and heavy once filled with water on site, so an interlocked run stays where it is set. The range runs from the compact Buddha Barrier and 1 metre traffic separators to 2 metre heavy duty systems such as the RB2000 and GB2, and crash tested barriers for live roads. Linked into runs, they create safe zones, redirect vehicles and enclose worksites, with light and heavy duty options for each job.
Types of water filled barriers
Unit length and duty decide the choice: short units go down by hand on footways and short runs, while 2 metre and heavy duty units cover long perimeters and roadside work with fewer joints to set out.
Traffic separators and anti-trip barriers
Traffic separators are the 1 metre plastic barriers used to mark out footway diversions, guard excavations and keep pedestrians clear of plant. The Buddha Barrier is a tall separator with an anti-trip base for pedestrian routes, and the 800mm anti-trip water filled barrier is the same profile in plain red or white without the reflective strip. The water fill traffic barrier is a lower anti-trip unit with fork entry for moving stacks on site. The 1 metre heavy duty road barrier carries more ballast where a light separator would be moved by wind or passing contact.
Evo interlocking barriers
The Evo system is a modular family built around one interlock. The Evo 1 barrier is the compact unit for roadside demarcation and short closures, and the Evo 1.5 barrier covers more ground per unit on longer lines. The Evo 80 barrier stands taller for pedestrian segregation, events and active roadworks. All three lock together without gaps, so one run can step between lengths and heights, which suits layouts that change from week to week.
2 metre water filled barriers
A 2 metre barrier halves the number of units and joints in a run, so it suits long perimeters, road closures and event crowd lines. The 2 metre water filled traffic barrier is wind tested and takes a mesh extension to full fence height. The 2m Euro barrier is a long, low unit for long-run traffic control and construction perimeters. The Bison 800mm barrier rotates at each joint for curved and closed layouts and is the economical choice among the 2 metre units.
Heavy duty water filled barriers
Heavy duty barriers are the tall, high capacity units used on major roads, central reservations, demolitions and long-term infrastructure schemes. The RB2000 barrier is the established system for road and event perimeters, with matching gates and extensions. The GB2 barrier is used for central reservations, footpath separation and contractor access routes. The Bison heavy duty barrier suits fast roads and wind exposed coastal sites. Where traffic could strike the line at speed, the crash tested units in the next section are the right choice.
Water filled crash barriers and jersey barriers
Most water filled barriers are delineation barriers: they mark the edge of the works, guide traffic and people, and stop anyone walking or driving into the work area by mistake. Where an errant vehicle could leave the carriageway and reach the workforce at speed, the barrier has to be crash tested, and the test speed is the figure to compare with the traffic passing the works.
The City Wall crash tested barrier is impact tested at 25mph and suits urban streets and slower traffic past utility and infrastructure works. The RB22 crash barrier is TRL certified at 50mph for highway repairs, verge works and lane shifts on live roads. The Defender50 crash barrier is certified to BS EN 1317 N1 at 50mph and was tested with fence panels fitted, for schemes that specify the European standard or need a fenced line with a crash rating.
Plastic water filled jersey barriers do the job of concrete barriers on schemes where installation time matters. They arrive light and stacked, are placed by hand or forklift, filled on site and drained to move, so a crew can set out, shift or remove a run without a crane or heavy haulage. Concrete barriers carry their full weight from delivery and need lifting plant each time they are moved. Other barrier types are in the road barriers range.
Water filled barriers with fence
The barrier type sets the height a fenced run can reach, and the gates have to come from the same system as the barrier.
Mesh fence extensions
Mesh fitted to the 1 metre separators raises a run to as much as 1.8m, depending on the unit, which covers pedestrian routes and footway diversions that need a screen above the barrier. The mesh fence extension slots into the water fill traffic barrier in a galvanised or white powder coated finish, and the Evo 1 mini mesh extension drops straight into the Evo 1. On the 2 metre systems, mesh or hoarding takes a run to full fence height for site perimeters and crowd segregation. The GB2 reaches 2.7m with its fence infill kits, for perimeters that must stand higher than standard temporary fencing.
Pedestrian and vehicle gates
Each gate is made to connect to one barrier system, so the barrier is chosen first. RB2000 runs take the RB2000 pedestrian gate for site staff and the 5m RB2000 vehicle gate for plant and deliveries. RB22 runs take the RB22 walkthrough pedestrian gate for open access. Where entry is limited to authorised staff, the RB22 DigiNox lockable gate adds a digital lock.
Water filled bases for temporary fencing
Where the perimeter is built from temporary mesh fence panels, often called Heras panels, a water filled base holds them in place of standard fence feet. The water filled fence stabiliser takes mesh panels and crowd control barriers. The Aqua Base fencing stabiliser is a red and white pair that slots together under a panel, with bolt and chain fixings against theft. The slot block fence base has a narrow footprint for inner city work, and the water filled Rota Block links in pairs for the most ballast on open ground.
Water filled barriers for roadworks, sites and events
Roadworks and street works
On the highway, red and white units mark the edge of the works clearly for approaching drivers. On a footway diversion, anti-trip separators give pedestrians a continuous, level edge to follow along a narrowed or temporary path. The barriers form the line itself, with traffic cones for the approach taper and temporary road signs for advance warning, and the wider traffic management equipment range covers lamps, frames and covers for the same job.
Construction sites and excavations
Around an open excavation, separators are set back from the edge so the run stands on firm ground and leaves room for spoil and the gang working the dig. Long site perimeters suit 2 metre or heavy duty units with mesh, which close off the site and keep site traffic apart from the public in one line.
Events and crowd segregation
At events, 2 metre units with mesh form crowd lines, queue routes and back of house perimeters, and a water filled base suits sections built from fence panels already on hand.
Water filled barrier sizes and weights
Length sets how quickly a run goes down, height sets what the barrier separates, and filled weight sets how much wind and contact the line holds.
Length and height
Units run from compact 1 metre separators to 2 metre lengths, in low and full height profiles. Shorter, lower units suit footways and tight layouts with frequent turns, while 2 metre units at full height suit long straight perimeters and roadside lines.
Filled weight and wind exposure
Filled weights run from under 30kg for the lightest 1 metre separators to 600kg for the heaviest crash barrier, and the heavy units carry MIRA wind test ratings up to 78mph. Sheltered streets and site interiors take light separators, while open ground, coastal sites and exposed roadside works call for 2 metre heavy duty units. Mesh or hoarding catches the wind, so a fenced run needs a heavier barrier than the same line left open.
Water or sand ballast
The Evo barriers and the 2m Euro barrier are listed for sand or water. Water drains out for a quick move and suits works that relocate, while sand gives a heavier fill for a long-term line but has to be dug or tipped out before the unit can move. The rest of the range is designed for water ballast.
Stacking and handling
Most of the range stacks when empty, which keeps transport and storage compact between jobs. The 1 metre units are light enough to carry and place by hand, and the 2 metre heavy duty units have forklift channels for loading and positioning. The 1 metre separators and the 2 metre water filled traffic barrier are available on next day delivery.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are water filled barriers made from?
The range is moulded from polyethylene plastics, HDPE or MDPE depending on the unit, with UV stabilised grades on most models to resist sunlight and weathering. Most units are recyclable at the end of their working life. The plastic keeps an empty barrier light enough to handle, and the water added on site gives it its working weight.
How do you fill and empty a water filled barrier?
Most barriers have a fill port on top and a drain plug or valve near the base. Set the run out and connect the units while they are empty, then fill each one in its final position from a hose, bowser or tanker. To move or remove the run, open the drain and let the water out before lifting.
Can different water filled barriers be linked in one run?
Barriers link when they share a connection system. The Buddha Barrier and the 800mm anti-trip barrier use the same S-Clip joint, most 2 metre units use hook and eye joints, and the RB22 uses steel pins with its own angle sections. The City Wall connects into RB22, RB2000 and GB2 runs, so a crash tested section can sit within a longer heavy duty line.
Do water filled barriers need anchoring?
No. They are freestanding and held by the weight of the water, with no drilling, posts or ground fixings. Interlocked units act as one line, which spreads wind load and contact along the run.
Are water filled barriers Chapter 8 compliant?
Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual sets the rules for signing and guarding temporary works on roads, including barrier colour and visibility. The Bison heavy duty barrier and the Bison 800mm barrier carry Chapter 8 compliant reflective strips. The traffic management plan for each job sets what the barrier line on that road needs.