Frequently Asked Questions

Plastic barricades are designed to last a long time, reducing waste. They’re made from durable plastics like HDPE, MDPE, and LLDPE, which can be recycled many times. When they reach the end of their life, they can be turned into new products. Using recyclable plastic also helps reduce the need for new raw materials, making it a more eco-friendly choice than single-use or less durable barriers.

Read about the different types of polyethylene plastics and their sustainability here.

Each one of our barricades is designed to last a minimum of eight years with proper care. Our plastic barricades are designed to withstand the test of time, even in harsh weather conditions.

The biggest factor that affects a plastic barricade’s lifespan is sunlight. Over time, ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can fade colors and weaken the plastic. To help slow this process, we add UV stabilizers during manufacturing. These help protect the material and keep the barricades stronger for longer!

We also recommend proper care and storage. When not in use, store them out of direct sunlight. If you use water for ballast, be sure to empty and dry them before storing. And if you lose a fill cap or drain plug, don’t worry – we have replacements available.

Yes, absolutely! Find our recycling guide here.

Yes, OTW barricades are manufactured to be ballast-capable! We recommend water ballasting as per the instructions for your specific barricade choice, but sand is also an option. (Don’t forget to empty your barricades before placing them in long-term storage to help keep them in good shape!)

We love to see our barricades in action both indoors and out! They are made of sturdy, durable high-density polyethylene (HDPE), medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) that is gentle on most indoor floors but will withstand extreme weather of all kinds when used outside.

Yes, we can provide both discounts and wholesale pricing when you work directly with an OTW expert.

Yes, to comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, we designed our 10” Low-Profile and 24” Mid-Profile Airport Barricades to be frangible – meaning they’re made to break or give way easily if hit. This is an important safety feature required by the FAA.

Frangibility is a requirement outlined in FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/5370-2G, “Operational Safety on Airports During Construction.” This guidance states that barricades used on airfields must be frangible to help enhance safety for aircraft, pilots, and airport personnel during construction.

While no barricade can eliminate the risk of damage entirely, frangible designs are intended to minimize the potential for more severe consequences – especially compared to heavier, non-breakaway materials. As always, actual results may vary depending on aircraft type, speed, angle of contact, and other circumstances.

It’s best practice not to move any OTW airport barricades once they’re filled or ballasted.

Our 10″ Low-Profile Airport Barricade can be moved a short distance with a forklift when filled, but it’s not recommended. Doing this too often can cause the plastic to bow or sag slightly, and it may also damage the reflective sheeting. Please note that this kind of damage is not covered by warranty.

For our 24″ Mid-Profile Airport Barricade, moving it when filled is strongly discouraged and will void the warranty.

These barricades weigh hundreds of pounds when filled. Lifting them while full puts a lot of stress on certain parts of the plastic. Even if you can’t see the damage right away, it can weaken internal supports and lead to bulging, leaks, or cracks – even after just one move.

For best results, always place the barricade in its final location before filling and emptying before moving them. This helps keep the barricade strong, safe, and long-lasting.

OTW also carries airport hazard lights, hazard flags, rotating LED beacons, powered Runway Closure Markers (RCM), and temporary vinyl runway and taxiway closure markers. All of our products are designed to meet or exceed FAA guidelines, supporting a safe environment for planes, construction workers, passengers, and ground crew.

Yes, our 10” Low-Profile Airport Barricade is designed to support up to two hazard flags and two airport hazard lights (AHL) with no additional hardware necessary. Our 24” Mid-Profile Airport Barricade can support one hazard light with a simple adapter.

Most commonly, OTW airport barricades are found on the airside (the area around active planes, runways, and taxiways) of an airport to direct aircraft away from active construction sites. You may also find OTW LCD or Jersey barricades on both air and landside to cordon off construction sites in progress.

But they’re not just for airports! Our 10” Low-Profile and 24” Mid-Profile Airport Barricades have many creative uses beyond aviation. Customers have used them at indoor and outdoor go-kart tracks, in parking lots and garages, and for new driver training courses.

Water is the most common ballast for our barricades. It’s easy to fill and drain, making it great for temporary or seasonal use.

For more permanent uses, you can also use sand or pea gravel. These materials are heavier than water and provide extra stability.

• Water weighs about 62 pounds per cubic foot.
• Sand or pea gravel weighs around 95 – 100 pounds per cubic foot.

Keep in mind, however, that sand and gravel are much harder to remove from the barricade once filled.

In short, no, we do not recommend moving OTW traffic or construction barricades after they are filled with water or sand. Doing so can damage the barricade and will void the warranty.

When filled, these barricades weigh hundreds of pounds. Lifting them while full puts too much stress on certain parts of the plastic. Even if you can’t see it right away, this stress can weaken the internal supports and can lead to bulging, leaks, or cracks, even after just one move.

For best results, always place the barricade in its final location before filling. This helps keep it strong, safe, and long-lasting.

Find our ballast guide here.

Yes! Our OTW42 LCD Barricade has been crash-tested and approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for use as a longitudinal channelizing barricade.

In 2007, it passed the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350 test level 3-71 criteria, which evaluates how work zone traffic control devices perform when hit by a passenger car at 100 km/h. The FHWA issued acceptance memo WZ-255 confirming its approval for use on the National Highway System.

It’s essential to understand that these barricades are designed as channelizers to guide vehicles safely through work zones, rather than as barriers that contain or redirect crashes, such as a guardrail or concrete barrier. This distinction is very important, so if you’re not sure, give us a call and we’ll gladly review your project requirements with you and help you source exactly what you need.

Generally speaking, you will often find several different types of plastic barricades at construction sites and in traffic zones. Longitudinal channelizing devices (LCDs) are common for channelizing lanes and directing traffic, as are drums or barrels and vertical delineators. LCD or Jersey barricades are also used as hazard indicators or perimeter security at many sites.

For those who use OTW barricades, the Billboard Barricade is also an excellent choice for temporary perimeters for a quick job or as a hazard indicator (don’t forget to include signage!).

The possibilities are nearly endless when determining where a Billboard Barricade can be used. We’ve had customers use them to define spaces in their gym, create mini soccer fields, delineate walkways throughout an event, and block off VIP areas, just to name a few.

Yes! Molded from ultraviolet (UV) resistant HDPE (high-density polyethylene), the Billboard Barricade is the perfect candidate for crowd control management, indoors and out.

The Billboard Barricade is designed to last a minimum of eight years with proper care.

The biggest factor that affects a plastic barricade’s lifespan is sunlight. Over time, ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can fade colors and weaken the plastic. To help slow this process, we add UV stabilizers during manufacturing. These help protect the material and keep the barricades stronger for longer!

Yes, a thoughtfully designed inlay is the perfect place to attach custom signage to your new Billboard Barricades. We can print custom signage on corrugated plastic (Coroplast) or expanded PVC (Sintra), which are both durable and weather-resistant.

We can preinstall custom signage (when ordered through OTW) before shipment, but if you choose to order signage on its own, each sign can be installed with four tap bolts (¼” diameter x ½” length) and four flat fender washers (¼” inner diameter, 1 ¼” out diameter) per side (8 total per barricade).

Our team has over 25 years of experience in the event industry, and we regularly take part in large events like the Utah Arts Fest, Farmers Market Ogden, the Living Traditions Festival, and more.

Most OTW customers rent our barricades for the duration of their event or project and return them afterward. Oftentimes, this is anywhere from a day to a week-long period. Longer rental timelines may be determined on a case-by-case basis.

We will coordinate standard freight shipping or will call options for local rentals.  Our fulfillment team has extensive experience helping all types of customers with their deliveries and can provide tailored support to meet your unique event requirements.

Limited local white-glove delivery may also be available. Give us a call and we’ll go over all the options!

Yes, local rental barricade orders can be picked up via will-call from our warehouse between 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on business days with prior coordination.

Local orders are delivered in the same manner as other shipped orders. Local pickup is always available, from 9 AM to 12 PM on business days, with prior coordination.

Our processing time is typically 2-3 business days, and domestic shipping generally takes 5-10 business days once fulfilled, depending on your location and specific order. We do everything in our power to get your order to you as efficiently as possible, but unexpected delays due to weather, carrier issues, or manufacturing issues may occur.  Our fulfillment team is always ready to assist when needed and has experience shipping all over the world!

We work hard to ensure that every customer is satisfied with their order, but we know that sometimes things happen. Please reach out to your sales rep or orders@otwsafety.com so that we can determine the best solution.

Most carriers will notify you of the delivery window. It is highly recommended to have a forklift available to facilitate a safe and expedited delivery. If a forklift is unavailable, please have appropriate help ready to unload. Carriers forced to wait to be unloaded will charge detention fees so please be prepared for your delivery!

Once unloaded, your shipment must be inspected thoroughly, and any damage MUST be noted on the carrier BOL (Bill of Lading) before the carrier leaves. If damage is found after the carrier departs, take several pictures or videos and notify your OTW sales rep, or call us, right away.  Additional information may be requested to facilitate a damage claim with the carrier and your support is greatly appreciated.

Yes, OTW offers a one-year manufacturing warranty on Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) products. This includes any manufacturing defects in workmanship or materials, but does not cover improper use, accidents, or regular wear and tear (including discoloration from sun exposure).

Yes, minor cracks and dings can be repaired with fine steel mesh and plastic polyethylene fill. We offer repair kits to help prolong the life of your barricades.

Find a tutorial here.