Barrier Customer Service
- What will my forms be made of?
- How long are the forms?
- Can I get forms made to my job specifications?
- How are barrier forms aligned, anchored and secured in place?
- Can I have my forms painted?
- Does MFC make precast barrier forms?
- Does MFC make transition barrier forms?
- Are forms available for rent?
- Should I use form release or oil prior to using my forms?
- How do I transport forms from job to job?
- Lead-time - How long will it take to make my forms?
- How will my forms be packaged and shipped?
- What equipment will I need to unload and handle my forms?
Median barrier and bridge parapet forms are typically constructed with face skins made of 3/16” thick steel with reinforcing gussets constructed of ¼” thick steel.
Forms are normally made in 10 ft lengths. Shorter sections can be made to accommodate hand setting or for forming a radius such as those commonly found on bridge decks.
Yes, MFC manufactures all forms to meet customer provided specifications. Send us your job specifications to receive an accurate quote.
MFC offers many options for helping with aligning and securing forms in place. Forms are typically supplied with holes in both the top and bottom treads of the form to facilitate anchoring and holding forms. Top spacers can be used to keep top of forms consistently held to spec. Usually, 2-4 are required per 10 ft. Turnbuckle form aligners are also available. Aligners will help put forms in spec since they offer both horizontal and diagonal adjustment. Tie holes and tie pockets are available so contractors can use any number of tie methods to hold front and back forms from spreading. Finally, moment arms (yokes) are available to facilitate “gang stripping” of up to 20’ of formwork at a time. These arms can also be made to offer a “no spread / no tie” system.
NOTE: It is the contractor’s responsibility to have forms securely anchored and or tied to prevent them from moving or shifting during concrete placement.
Yes, all forms are supplied unpainted since most contractors choose not to have them painted. However, a powder coat finish can be applied at a nominal cost.
Our forms are currently manufactured for "cast-in-place" applications. Precast Barrier to be introduced Summer/Fall 2018.
Transition Barrier Forms to be introduced Summer/Fall 2018.
MFC does not rent barrier forms. However, we do have distributors that do rent them. Please contact us for a referral.
Yes, it is necessary to use a quality form release with each pour to provide easier stripping and clean up of forms.
Many contractors build a crate or cradle to place forms in to transport from job to job.
Lead-times can vary depending on plant availability. Click HERE to e-mail our sales team or call the office direct at 414-964-4550 to speak with a sales person. We will do all we can to accommodate your project timeline. The lead-time will begin once a sign-off drawing has been approved and a deposit check has been received. See terms information listed below.
Forms are “nested” together and banded with steel strapping. Bundles of forms are usually less than 2,000 lbs. Many form orders will be shipped on a flatbed carrier. We require all carriers to tarp their shipments before leaving our facility.
MFC will supply an estimated freight quote at the time of order. However, depending on availability of trucks and the fluctuations in fuel prices at the time of shipment, we cannot guarantee the actual shipping charges. Customers are always welcome to arrange their own freight pick-up. We ask that customers arrange all shipments with our shipping office before picking up freight.
Customers will need to have equipment available to offload forms. Forms shipped on flatbeds will normally require the use of forks to remove them from the truck. Equipment should have lifting capacity of a minimum of 3,000 lbs.
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Median Barrier / Bridge Parapet
SET-UP PROCEDURES
( using form aligners / turnbuckles )
- Make sure all faces of formwork are clean of rust and debris. Excessive rust will show in the finished product.
- Set front contour form using aligner assemblies to hold form to job specifications (shimming may need to be used if grade / surface is not level). Front form will need to be held down to prevent it from lifting/floating during the pour. Here is a list a few commonly used methods to prevent forms from lifting.
- Anchor forms through base holes provided.
- Use wood or metal kicker outside of base (see drawing)
- Tie down through center of forms from top spacer to rebar (see drawing)
- Set back form in place using top spacers to hold top to correct thickness. Standard top spacers have guide pins to hold forms in place during the setting process. The base of the back form is typically anchored to deck/grade or falsework.
- Use ties to prevent forms from spreading near the base. Reference ACI 347 for lateral and uplift pressures to help determine tie size and spacing. It is the contractor’s responsibility to use correct tie size and spacing. Listed below is some commonly used tie hardware.
- Coil Taper Ties
- Coil rod with sleeve
- Snap ties
- Spray barrier forms with clean form release agent to facilitate stripping.
