Gantries and Hoardings (incl. gates) 

References:  R Record keeping requirement | E An engineering/certification requirement | P A permit to work requirement | S A safe work method statement (SWMS) / written plan


Note: This section is to be read in conjunction with:


Definitions


Class A Hoarding - a structural frame of timber or steel, clad with water-resistant structural plywood sheets which separates the project from the public.


Figure 1: Example cross-section of a Class A hoarding incorporating a traffic barrier or a concrete counterweight 

Figure 2: Example cross-section of a Class A hoarding incorporating a ground fixing 

Figure 3: Example cross-section of a Class A hoarding incorporating a post fixed into a concrete footing

Class B hoarding / gantry – modular, impermeable, free-standing hoarding system that incorporates an overhead platform that is used to provide protection from falling objects.

Temporary fence – a moveable mesh or chain link fencing which separates the project from the public.

Figure 4: Example elevation and cross-section of a Temporary Fence 

Potential Hazards

Potential hazards associated with hoardings include, but are not limited to:

  • Falls
  • Falling objects
  • Security of the workplace
  • Obstruction of public areas
  • Fire and impeding access to emergency service equipment. 
  • Structural collapse
  • Insufficient design loads for potential impacts
  • Inground services


Design and Planning

Considerations must be given to the following:


Gates

  • Location and specifications
  • Type (hinged, sliding)
  • Method of securing the gate to reduce the risk of the gate falling off tracks or hinges.
  • Suitability/condition were inheriting pre-existing gates.
  • Risk of traffic collision, vehicular footpath crossing


Class A hoardings, Class B hoardings / gantries and temporary fences

  • Proprietary fittings/systems/hardware and other materials
  • Height
  • Foundation requirements and ground conditions and/or ground level changes
  • Location and proximity to excavations
  • Types of anchors and structural bracing requirements
  • Access requirements and pre-existing obstacles (signs, trees, etc.)
  • Services (overhead or underground)
  • Adjacent structures
  • Location and set out of concrete pump lines.
  • Flammability of the hoarding and signage
  • Storage of materials or hazardous substances
  • Access to emergency equipment in the building or adjoining buildings (e.g., Hydrant Booster Valves, Fire control panels, etc.)
  • Suitability/condition were inheriting pre-existing hoardings / gantries or fencing.
  • Planned proximity of stored materials, which could increase the likelihood of intruders gaining entry to site
  • Emergency services access
  • Lighting (lux) levels for pedestrian walkways (Class B/gantry only)
  • Locations of counterweights
  • Wind loading.

 

E Class A hoardings must be:

  • Designed by a Qualified Person (Engineer)
  • Designed in accordance with local council requirements.
  • Detailed on up-to-date drawings/plans.
  • Reviewed for suitability/ condition where they are pre-existing.
  • QLD – Designed in accordance with clause 315F of the WHS regulation.


E Class ‘B’ hoardings / gantries must be:

  • Designed by a Qualified Person (Engineer)
  • Designed in accordance with local council requirements.
  • Detailed on up to date drawings/plans.
  • Reviewed for suitability/ condition where they are pre-existing.
  • QLD – Designed in accordance with clause 315K of the WHS regulation.


E Changes to the design or installed class B hoarding / gantries must be authorised and signed-off by a Qualified Person (Engineer).


  • E Be designed to withstand wind loads to AS 1170.2 with counterweights as necessary to prevent overturning
  • E VIC - Be designed to withstand a lateral line load of 075 kN/m applied at a height of 1m from the base and suitably guarded by barriers to prevent vehicular impact for hoarding adjoining excavations
  • E Together with its supports, be designed with a uniformly distributed live load of not less than
  • WA 7 kPa
  • NSW, QLD, VIC 10 kPa


E Temporary fencing must be:

  • Installed with mesh infill panels that are a minimum 1800mm high.
  • Designed with counterweights to prevent overturning as specified in AS/NZS 1170.2 for wind loading.
  • Installed with bracing in accordance with manufacture or Qualified Person’s (engineers) instructions


E Vehicular gates (hinged / sliding) for Class A / B hoardings must be:

  • Designed by a Qualified Person (Engineer)
  • Detailed on up-to-date drawings/plans.
  • Where pre-existing, reviewed for suitability/ condition.


Operational


R Local council requirements must be reviewed and verified prior to erecting gantries, hoardings (class A, B) or perimeter fencing. 


R Class A hoardings and Class B hoardings / gantries in vehicular gates must be:


R Temporary fencing must:

  • Be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements. 
  • Be inspected as per Plant and Equipment Inspection Schedule
  • Be securely clamped or fixed together and braced or counterweighted to withstand expected/prevailing wind loads.
  • Where base plates / counterweights /supports extend into pedestrian accessways, they shall be clearly marked/identified with visual warnings.


Legal and Other Requirements

  • AS4687.1 Temporary fencing and hoardings, Part 1: General requirements
  • AS4687.2 Temporary fencing and hoardings, Part 2: Temporary fencing and temporary pedestrian barriers
  • AS4687.3 Temporary fencing and hoardings, Part 3: Temporary hoardings
  • AS1170.0 Structural design actions Part 0: General principals
  • AS1170.1 Structural design actions Part 1: Permanent, imposed and other actions
  • AS1170.2 Structural design actions Part 2: Wind actions
  • AS 2423 Coated steel wire fencing products for terrestrial, aquatic and general use.
  • AS 1163 Cold-formed structural steel hollow sections
  • Local council requirements



Document Control

  • Version 1 August 2019 – New Standard
  • Version 2 November 2023 – New requirements have been incorporated into the design, planning, installation, and inspection requirements for vehicular gates (hinged / sliding) as a response to an incident in NSW, class A hoardings, class B hoardings/gantries, and temporary fences.