Boom barriers
Boom barriers (also known as boom gates), can be conceived of as gates which instead of opening in the horizontal plane, operate by rising and falling. They are typically pivoted on one side and counter weighted to allow smooth, easy manual operation. They can also be motorised and are usually painted in conspicuous colours such as with alternating red and white bands. To further increase their visibility, a second arm can be suspended around 300-400mm below the main arm by metalstraps which gradually revert to the vertical position as the boom is raised.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Access control.
- Access to construction sites.
- Approved document Q.
- Barriers
- CCTV.
- Collective restraint systems.
- Commercial security systems.
- Cycling lane.
- Entry control.
- Fence.
- Hostile architecture.
- Palisade.
- Portcullis.
- Purchasing security gates and barriers.
- Ram raid.
- Scarp.
- Security and the built environment.
- Security glazing.
- Talus.
- Three key ingredients for designing inclusive walking and cycling infrastructure
Featured articles and news
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2025/26
Construction apprentice from Lincoln Mia Owen wins this years title.
Insulation solutions with less waste for a circular economy
Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager, Polyfoam XPS explains.
Recycled waste plastic in construction
Hierarchy, prevention to disposal, plastic types and approaches.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Why talking about prostate cancer matters in construction.
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch up for free, subscribe and share with your network.
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.