What Is Stanchion In Steel Structures?
What Is Stanchion In Steel Structures?
A stanchion in steel structures is an upright bar or post used as part of a support structure. Stanchions are commonly used in industrial safety barriers and guardrails, and are usually joined by retractable belts or ropes.
Steel stanchions can come in various finishes such as powder coated black, polished stainless steel, satin stainless steel, polished brass, and satin brass.
They are also used as grab rails for passengers in public transportation. Safety stanchions are designed and made in bright safety colors such as orange or yellow to increase visibility.
Stanchions typically sit on a heavy circular base that stabilizes the stanchion, and feature a metal ring near the top or attaching ropes.
What Is The Difference Between Stanchion And Column?
The main difference between a stanchion and a column is that a stanchion is an upright bar, post or member (not a column) used for support, while a column is an upright structure designed to support a larger structure.
Stanchions are typically used as part of several supporting a mezzanine, as grab rails for passengers, as vertical members of a stud partition, or as vertical railings around tombs.
Columns are cylindrical or polygonal structures used to support roofs, ceilings, statues, etc., and are composed of base, shaft and capital.
Stanchions can also be used to confine cattle in stalls, while columns can be used to support other structures such as arches. Both words have similar meanings and can be used interchangeably in some cases.
What Material Is Stanchion?
Stanchions are sturdy upright fixtures that provide support for other objects. They can be made of raw carbon steel or hot-dip galvanized steel, and are often used as part of a larger support structure.
Stanchions are commonly used in crowd control, where they are paired with retractable belts, velvet ropes, or plastic chains to guide the flow of foot traffic.
They can also be used to protect the corner of a wall or to mount lighting from a lower elevation.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Stanchion?
Stanchions are an important part of crowd control and queue management. They can be used to facilitate better customer flow, guide customers to their desired end point, and create an orderly queuing environment.
There are many benefits to using stanchions for crowd control, both for businesses and individuals.
- One benefit is that they help create a safe environment by preventing accidents and injuries when people crowd together.
- Stanchions can also help reduce wait times by providing a clear path for people to follow. Additionally, they can provide security without the need for expensive security guards.
- Using longer stanchion belts can also be beneficial. Longer belts allow you to cover more space with fewer posts, saving on storage space and cost.
- Visiontron Prime stanchions have an 10-foot belt which is particularly useful in larger spaces or when needing to cover a long distance.
How Much Space Is Between Stanchions?
The recommended distance between stanchions is 6 feet, with a 7 1/2 foot belt being ideal for spacing them 6 feet apart.
Retractable belt stanchions are typically found in airports, concert stadiums, or retail stores where line and space needs often change.
The chain should be approximately 6 inches longer than the distance between the stanchions. The OSR recommends a minimum of 8 feet between lifeline stanchions.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Using Stanchion?
The main disadvantage of using stanchions is that they can be bulky and heavy, making them difficult to move around.
Additionally, some stanchion bases have a thick, vertical ‘slab’ side which gives the stanchion a heavy look. This can make them less aesthetically pleasing than other types of stanchions.
Stanchions are also not suitable for all environments. For example, plastic stanchions are not suitable for outdoor use as they are not weather-resistant.
Safety stanchions are designed for outdoor use but may not be suitable for all applications due to their bright safety colors.
Finally, while stanchions can be used to create queueing areas and keep crowds safer and more organized, they may not be the most effective solution in all cases.
