Baltimore, Maryland-based A-Safe Inc., a manufacturer of protective guarding for warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities and other workplace environments, has launched the Alarm Bar, a tubular product that actively responds to impact to protect overhead assets from moving vehicles.

Like other products in the A-Safe range, the Alarm Bar is made from A-Safe’s Memaplex material, the company’s patented blend of eight materials and rubber additives that, practically, absorbs impact without incurring damage. The bar is just over 6ft long (78 ¾ in) and has a diameter of 5⅛ in. These are standard dimensions, although bespoke systems are available if ordered in bulk. The lightweight, 28-lb. Alarm Bar is easily installed, hung from two thin cables towards either end.

A series of high profile companies have already installed Alarm Bars, including Lowes, Michelin, Ford, Tyson Foods, Boston Beer, Walmart, and Nissin Foods.

The product is suited to any facility where there is a restriction on height and damage can be caused by impact.

Importantly, the product is self-powered, with 12-volt battery life providing more than two years of constant power. Audio and visual alarms alert the operator of contact; two 102dB buzzers sound (the equivalent of a car horn 1m away) for 20 seconds after impact and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) display two red flashing indicator strips that span the length of the bar, lasting for 40 seconds.

Paul Barlow, CEO at A-Safe Inc., said: “The product is suited to any facility where there is a restriction on height and potential damage can be caused by impacts in the absence of a robust height warning system. The product safeguards doorframes, loading docks, infrastructure, and overhead walkways, as well as key safety assets such as sprinkler systems and ventilation pipes. It can be installed where no barriers are currently in place or where an existing height restrictor is not active or, in other words, it doesn’t feedback to the user beyond the physical impact.”

Multiple Alarm Bars can cover a wider area.

He added: “It’s a great replacement for applications that are currently using basic painted steel tubes, which are often heavy and require secondary redundant hanging systems in case the primary system fails, or replacement for existing polymer solutions that provide no active alert response upon impact. At just 28 lbs., an Alarm Bar isn’t going to cause significant injury if it were to fall and requires no additional electrical supply.”

An abundance of other product features include shock-absorbing casing, created from the aforementioned memaplex, offering high-strength durability, flexibility, and crack resistance. The bar’s yellow color is UV-stabilized for continued coloration, fade resistance and, thus, long-lasting visibility. It is suited to use in temperatures ranging from +41°F to 122°F. Notably, the Alarm Bar doesn’t swing in wind and resets itself after impact.

Flashing indicator strips combine with audio alarms.

A-Safe is offering the Alarm Bar directly to end users and through its Guardrail range of ‘boxed products’, principally aimed at the reseller / distributor marketplace. Barlow reiterated that the product has fixed dimensions and is not targeted at the custom marketplace, unless a client wanted to purchase, say, 100+ units in a single order. Multiple Alarm Bars can cover a wider area.