The Ultimate Guide to RSJ Posts in Armco Barriers

760 Bolt Down Shock Absorbing Post 127 x 76 RSJ

RSJ posts and beams – which stands for rolled steel joist – are some of the most popular steel structures used in a range of applications today. 

If you’re looking to buy or find out more about RSJ posts, then you’re in the right place. Armco Direct supplies an extensive range of Armco barriers and off-highway crash barrier solutions, in a range of sizes, to suit a wide variety of different industries.

Whether you’re planning or undergoing a construction project or a commercial project, RSJ posts and Armco barriers are an incredible investment that provide robust durability and strength that is unmatched.

For a wide range of premium-quality steel safety solutions to support your project, take advantage of our free Armco Barrier Calculator and explore our products today.

What are RSJ Posts?

Rolled Steel Joist (RSJ) posts are structures made from hot or cold rolled steel. These posts are also known as ‘H posts or ‘I posts owing to their unique H-shaped and I-shaped cross-sections – depending on which type of RSJ post you purchase. 

The distinctive “H” or “I” shape that RSJ posts have are an innovative feature that protects them from extremely heavy impacts, which makes them the perfect solution for areas where large and heavy vehicles could be moving at speed. Both H- and I-shaped RSJ posts are renowned for being very strong and durable, (which also makes them great for use in the construction sector, not just as barriers!)

RSJ posts come in a variety of different sizes that can be used and installed in barriers for a multitude of industries and applications. They can easily be built to different sizes to meet the height requirements for your project specifications.

As well as RSJ posts – which are used for Armco Barriers – you can also get RSJ beams, which are used in a range of different applications, such as construction! Beams and posts have different uses, but they are both designed in the same way and cut from the same mild steel.


Is an RSJ the Same as a Universal Beam (I Beam)?

If you’re wondering whether or not an RSJ is the same as a Universal beam, the answer is yes. RSJ beams are essentially the same as Universal beams, which is just another widely used term for this type of rolled steel beam. 

In other words, Universal columns (beams) and RSJ beams are listed separately in BS4 (the British Standard for Structural Sections) – but they are both rolled steel sections. 

Universal beams are made up of two horizontal plates that are joined by a vertical component known as the web. The horizontal plates are known as flanges. Together, they combine to create an I-section – hence why universal beams are also known as I-beams.

Widely utilised as a fundamental component in steel frameworks and loft steel, universal beams guarantee total structural integrity by strongly and effectively supporting heavy loads.


Where are RSJs posts and beams used?

Since they can be cut to any size using steel tools, and are capable of supporting even the heaviest loads, RSJs can be used in a wide variety of industries and applications. RSJs are especially great for use in Armco barriers. The design and shape of RSJ posts allow them to drastically improve the structural integrity and safety of your Armco barrier systems. 

Looking for a barrier for your industrial projects, manufacturing projects, or even civil engineering projects? Armco Direct can help. We’ll explore more of the different uses of RSJ posts and Armco barriers below.


RSJ posts are great for supporting Armco Barrier Systems

Armco barriers require posts to keep them in place and, like the barriers themselves, they need to be robust and capable of withstanding heavy impacts. You needn’t look any further than RSJ posts if you want the strongest post type to support your safety barrier systems. 

Different-height RSJ posts can benefit various applications, ultimately providing structural integrity and durability. In the event of a crash or high-impact collision, they ensure maximum safety of buildings, structures and pedestrians in the area by maintaining full strength and stability. 

These posts are then combined with our corrugated beams or box beams to create the full Armco barrier structures.

Using RSJ posts will help you maximise the safety of an Armco barrier system, which in turn, increases the overall safety of your worksite or setting. Armco steel barriers and RSJ posts work to prevent the potential damage that could be caused by an out-of-control vehicle or collision – it does this by withstanding and absorbing heavy impacts and force from the vehicle. Learn more on the physics here


RSJ beams provide load-bearing support for building structures

RSJ beams, on the other hand, have a range of uses outside of Armco barriers.

When constructing new buildings or building an extension, building structures can receive load-bearing support from RSJ beams and posts. If you are undergoing a new construction project where the steel structure will serve as the framework of the new building, RSJ beams are an integral solution. Moreover, if you are planning a restoration project that entails extending or changing the structural characteristics of an existing building, RSJ beams will provide unprecedented support and stability.

When constructing a hole in a load-bearing wall, such as a new window or doorway, or when building an extension, they are commonly installed to retain structural integrity and as quality structural components to hold walls or floors. 


What Industries are Steel Barriers Used in?

A number of industries can benefit from RSJ steel posts and RSJ project management due to their ease of installation and versatility. With Armco Direct, they are also galvanised to BS EN 1461 standards, so you can rest assured they meet all British and European standards. The industries that can benefit from RSJ posts include construction, manufacturing, warehouses, transportation and many more. 

In particular, industries which involve heavy vehicles like HGVs – or have moving vehicles on their premises – would benefit from RSJ posts and Armco barriers, since they can protect against strong and heavy impacts.

When a crash barrier is installed, the possibility of injuries occurring is immediately reduced. It enables your employees to carry on with their everyday responsibilities with peace of mind knowing that their safety and well-being have been put at the forefront. It ensures that the right safety precautions are put in place to lower the risk of potential accidents on your premises.


Where in These Industries are RSJ Barriers Particularly Effective?

Steel posts and Armco barriers can be used in the following applications:

  • Factories
  • Industrial premises
  • Car parks
  • Warehouses
  • Construction sites
  • Civil engineering projects
  • Service yards
  • Loading bays

When personnel and visitors are wandering around your site – be it a service yard or loading bay – steel posts support your barriers and keep the potentially dangerous places clearly visible, decreasing the likelihood that an accident will occur.

Armco steel posts are the most viable investment for ensuring the highest levels of safety in your warehouse, factory, or commercial space, thanks to their exceptional strength and integrity. 


FAQs

Still have a few questions about RSJ posts or beams? Here, we have answered some of our most frequently asked questions – or, if you haven’t found what you are looking for, don’t hesitate to get in touch to speak to a member of the team today about your query. 


Which steel beam is strongest?

Once you have your Armco barrier RSJ posts, you’ll need to look at beams.

The box beam is typically your best option if you’re searching for something that is significantly stronger and more useful than the conventional corrugated Armco barriers. Due to their structure and 5mm thickness, they are the strongest of our Armco steel beams, and can withstand much higher impact forces. 

Open box beams are capable of resisting extreme impact and higher forces than just about any other beam. Due to their galvanisation, which extends their longevity and increases their ability to withstand harsh circumstances and strong impact, box beam crash barriers are very durable and long-lasting.

High-grade galvanised steel is used to manufacture each box beam barrier, making them appropriate for installation in both indoor and outdoor settings. The protective zinc coating works to protect the steel from corrosion and weather damage.

An open box beam is a robust system that was first designed for use on roads, bridge approaches, and other constructions of the same kind. Since they are arguably more sturdy and have a more modern design, box beams are perfect for spaces like car parks where appearance and function are essential.

This is the perfect steel beam option for environments like factories or service yards where it’s crucial to protect workers, pedestrians, or valuable machinery from collisions with large vehicles like HGVs and forklifts.


What type of steel is best for beams and RSJ posts?

Here at Armco Direct, we know that the only answer to this question is galvanised steel. All of the products that we provide at Armco Direct are made from the highest quality, 100% recyclable, galvanised steel – and it’s for good reason. Our steel products are galvanised to the BS EN1461 standard and come with an 85-year lifetime guarantee. 

Galvanised steel is so tough that it can stop and withstand the impact of a moving heavy vehicle. That’s why we use it for our crash and collision barriers. It has so many benefits that we’ll need an extra pair of hands to count them on! It’s extremely tough, durable, versatile, and lasts for decades on end without any signs of corrosion or damage – what’s not to love about galvanised steel?

By using galvanised steel, it ensures that all of our products perform at the highest level in their aim to protect people, buildings, equipment and everything else from the harsh impact forces inflicted by an off-highway car crash or vehicle collision. It can also be cut easily for multiple purposes and sizes. There is no better steel for achieving this.


What does RSJ stand for?

RSJ stands for rolled steel joist. Rolled steel joist beams and rolled steel joist posts (RSJs) are typically made from mild steel – created by rolling hot or cold steel in structural steel fabricators. As well as hot rolling and cold rolling, they can also be formed by extrusion. 


What steel is an RSJ made of?

Mild steel is typically used to make rolled steel joists, also known as RSJs. That said, it can also be made from other materials, such as aluminium. They can be extruded, hot-rolled, or cold-rolled into shape – and then, with Armco Direct’s barriers especially, galvanised to meet British and European standards. 


Where Can I Buy Steel Beams From Online?

At Armco Direct, we can provide steel products for all manner of projects. Our beams and barriers can be customised to suit a wide range of off-highway applications and structural steel requirements. 

All our products are manufactured from solid steel – which are then galvanised to BS EN 1461 standards to provide corrosion-resistant properties. Due to the quality of standardisation, you can rest assured that you will only ever receive premium quality products. 

But don’t just take our word for it – our company profile has had a 5* Google Rating for over 12 years. 


How to Buy Steel Beams and RSJ Posts from Armco Direct

To order your steel barriers from Armco Direct, all you’ll need is the length, the desired height, whether you require bolt down or dig in posts, how many times it will change direction, and how many end terminals you require. Simply pop this information into our easy to use online calculator – along with your contact details – and you’ll receive a tailored quotation with accurate prices for steel beams straight to your inbox. 

If you are unsure about any of these elements, or require more direct advice from our experienced team, get in touch with our friendly sales team today. A member of our skilled team will be more than happy to talk through your personal requirements, company type, property type, and so on, before recommending the ideal steel beams and posts for your project. 

Once your order is confirmed, we will provide you with a selection of convenient delivery options and delivery times to suit you and your needs. Your dedicated delivery driver and delivery vehicles will transport your order directly to site within 48 hours of the sale, for a quality delivery service you can trust. 


Choose Armco Direct for Armco Barriers You Can Rely On

The easiest way to get started is to use our free, no-obligation online calculator. It only takes around 2 minutes to fill out, and we’ll send you a bespoke quotation within 2 hours. After that, you can have the peace of mind that your Armco barriers will be on site within 48 hours. 

If you have any further questions, queries, or simply would prefer to speak to one of our experts, give us a call on 01530 839 955 or fill out our online enquiry form, and a member of the team will be happy to assist and advise on your next steps.