The Applied Technical Services (ATS) Family of Companies (FoC) provides engineering consulting services for parking deck barrier cables. Parking decks are, by design, vertical structures. As with any other vertical structure, engineers and architects must take precautions to minimize the danger of falling. This concern especially applies to parking decks; a falling vehicle causes damage not only to the driver and their property but everyone and everything around it. One of the best ways to protect the safety of drivers and pedestrians in a parking deck is to install barrier cable at all ledges.
While other safety barriers exist, namely concrete walls and guard rails, barrier cable systems prove to be more effective, more aesthetically pleasing, and more cost-efficient than current alternatives. ATS helps clients who need barrier cable systems for their parking decks by offering the following solutions.
Consulting
When a client contacts us for consultation on a planned installation or repair of a barrier cable system, we will assign a Professional Engineer (PE) to the project. They will come to the site and assess the environment. They examine the structure for the proper tensioning loads and supplemental supports, as they are required for barrier cable installation or replacement. Their analysis can help clients verify or achieve code compliance in their parking deck.
Design
Our PEs work with owners and managers to identify the needs specific to each parking garage. These experts design the barrier cable systems, including elements such as:
- Dimensions of steel barrier cable
- Coating for steel barrier cable
- Galvanized, Epoxy-Coated, or Plastic-Coated
- Anchorage system
- Embedded, External, or Non-Stressed
Tensioning
To ensure effective barrier systems, the PE will supervise pre-tensioning of the cables to prevent them from sagging. Not only are they aesthetically displeasing, but sagging cables can also allow objects to pass through that are larger than the nominal distance between each strand. Taut cables, treated using our advanced pre-stressing techniques, do not have this shortcoming.
Inspection
Over time, barrier cable systems can become damaged or even fail. Most cables used in parking decks will feature protective coatings to extend their service life, as being exposed to weathering conditions over time (i.e., heat, solar radiation, moisture) causes corrosion and weakens the metal. The Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) recommends parking deck owners and managers perform quarterly or annual maintenance checks for signs of damage. ATS’ experienced PEs perform these regular inspections client parking deck barrier cables to keep these safety features working at maximum performance.
ATS’ Barrier Cable Solutions
The ATS FoC is comprised of testing, inspection, calibration, and engineering firms that serve the varied needs of clients around the globe. We provide world-class consulting engineering capabilities to property developers, managers, owners, and real estate investment firms to ensure the continued safety and reliability of their existing structures. Our squad of technicians, industry professionals, and PEs from several disciplines draw on members’ individual experiences to deliver services of the highest quality.
If your company needs turnkey barrier cable solutions for your parking deck, contact us today!
