WO2011009168A1

WO2011009168A1 - Safety barrier

Info

Publication number: WO2011009168A1
Application number: PCT/AU2010/000929
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Clement Preston
Original assignee: John Clement Preston
Priority date: 2009-07-21
Filing date: 2010-07-21
Publication date: 2011-01-27
Also published as: TW201115001A

Abstract

A method of erecting a removable safety barrier on a building under construction, the method comprising the steps of locating one or more barrier supports on an edge structure of the building, the barrier support(s) being arranged to support the safety barrier and include an inner member that locates against an inner side of the edge structure; and casting a cementitious element against the edge structure so that at least a portion of the inner member is embedded in the cast element whereby the inner member is adapted to be released from the hardened cast element by lifting of the barrier support from the edge structure.

Description

Safety Barrier

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to safety barriers. The invention has been developed for, but not exclusively for use as a removable safety barrier or components thereof, during construction or maintenance of buildings. The invention has particular application for use as a safety barrier for buildings with pre-cast forms, which are finished with cast in-situ concrete and the invention is herein described in that context.

However, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the invention may have broader application, and is not limited to that use.

Background of the Invention

Various methods of concrete building construction are known. One method is to use precast concrete elements, which are typically manufactured offsite. The use of precast concrete elements has the advantage of more consistent and higher quality of finish, as the elements are made in a more controlled environment offsite. Furthermore, precast concrete elements can be rapidly erected onsite, without the delays for curing of the concrete. However, a limiting factor to precast concrete is the size and weight to which it can be effectively transported to the worksite and erected.

Another method is to cast concrete elements in-situ, which has the advantages of flexibility of dimensions and size of the concrete, as the shape of the concrete structure is determined by the formwork on site. However, structures made with cast in-situ concrete may require more time to construct, as the concrete needs to cure for structural strength.

A further method is to combine the above two methods with hybrid concrete construction, to mitigate some of the disadvantages of the two methods. This may involve erecting precast concrete parapets and underlying precast concrete slabs, which becomes part of the formwork for the cast in-situ concrete. The cast in-situ concrete is then poured into the formwork, which cures within the precast concrete, thus forming a combined hybrid concrete structure. This method reduces the need for separate removable formwork, as the formwork is part of the concrete structure. At various stages of building construction it is necessary to provide safety barriers to fence off, or restrict access to unsafe areas. In particular barriers are erected around the perimeter of floors of a multi-story building during construction in order to protect workers and objects from falling to the ground below.

Such safety barriers may be temporarily bolted around the perimeter of each floor of the building. This may include bolting to the perimeter of the floor or the precast parapet for buildings using hybrid concrete construction method. For safety reasons, it may be desirable to erect a safety barrier as soon as possible, and before casting of the in-situ concrete.

Bolting fences to floors or parapet involves significant labour, and it may be necessary to drill into concrete close to the edges of the building to apply the bolts, and barrier components. This is disadvantageous as workers need to operate tools close to the edge of the floor for extended periods of time, which is hazardous without a safety barrier. Furthermore, drilling into the concrete may cause propagation of cracks in the concrete and adversely affect the integrity of the concrete structure. Alternatively, to minimise intrusion into the concrete and expedite the time to erect a safety barrier, a self supporting perimeter fence may be erected inboard from the edge of the floor. For example, a perimeter fence erected on the underlying precast concrete slab. However, this will reduce the area of access, and may prevent the worker from working on areas close to the edges of the floor. Furthermore, such a safety barrier may interfere with casting and curing of the in-situ concrete.

Thus it is desirable to provide method of erecting a safety barrier and an associated safety barrier which is less time consuming and easy to construct, without requiring the worker to drill into the concrete. It is also desirable to provide such a barrier that can be used in hybrid concrete construction. Furthermore, it is desirable for the safety barrier to be easily removed when not required. Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, there is provided a method of erecting a removable safety barrier on a building under construction, the method comprising the steps of: locating one or more barrier supports on an edge structure of the building, the barrier support(s) being arranged to support the safety barrier and include an inner member that locates against an inner side of the edge structure; and casting a cementitious element against the edge structure so that at least a portion of the inner member is embedded in the cast element whereby the inner member is adapted to be released from the hardened cast element by lifting of the barrier support from the edge structure.

In accordance with this first aspect, a method of erecting a removable safety barrier is provided that is ideally suited for construction techniques where in-situ casting of elements occur, such as that found in hybrid concrete construction. The method uses a simple system of locating supports over edge structures, such as the precast parapet panels in hybrid concrete construction. The stability of the connection at least in part is provided by the length of the support members. By enabling the inner member of the support to become embedded, but still be released from the hardened casting, the length of the inner member is not limited to the gap, if any, provided from the top of the edge structure to the level of the casting. Furthermore an arrangement is provided where the integrity of the casting is not unduly compromised on releasing the support. With this approach the inventor has found that an adequate mounting technique for safety barriers can be provided that does not require edge drilling and fixing by fasteners such as concrete bolts and the like as found in the prior art. To facilitate release of the barrier supports a downwardly directed shoulder may be provided on the barrier supports. These downwardly directed shoulders in use are spaced from the cast element and arranged to provide a lifting point for the respective supports. In this way standard tools such as a crowbar may be used to release the support member from the casting. In addition or alternatively, a releasing agent such as a non-stick coating, a film (such as a polymeric sheath or sock), or a sacrificial block (such as a polymeric block) may also be used to assist in facilitating release of the inner member from the casting. -A-

In a further aspect, there is provided a method of removing a safety barrier on a building under construction, the barrier being supplied on an edge structure of the building and having an inner member that is embedded in an element cast against the edge structure, wherein the method comprises the step of levering the barrier support off the edge structure to release the embedded portion of the inner member from the cast element.

In one form, the one or more barrier supports further comprise at least one coupling that is arranged to receive one or more safety barrier sections so as to enable the barrier support to support those barrier sections on the edge structure. In this way the barrier supports are provided as separate items to the main part of the safety barrier and those safety barrier sections are arranged to be fitted to the barrier supports after those supports are installed on the edge structure. In one form those barrier sections comprise spaced posts that are interconnected by barrier infill, which is typically a wire mesh, but which could also be solid or formed from cable elements or be combination of the foregoing elements. In one form, the coupling comprises a collar that is arranged to receive a post of the barrier section.

In a particular form, one or more of the barrier supports incorporates a plurality of couplings. In one form such a support is arranged to support two or more barrier sections. hi an alternative form, the main part of the safety barrier is integrated with the barrier supports so that they are supplied as single units.

In one form, a stabilising assembly is also provided as part of the barrier support. The purpose of the stabilising assembly is to support the safety barrier at a location spaced from the barrier support. In a particular form, the stabilising assembly engages an upper region of the barrier so as to resist moment loading applied to the barrier caused by pushing against the barrier. In one form of erecting the safety barrier, the supports are installed on the building and then barrier sections of one or more standard sizes are mounted on the supports. The barrier sections are installed sequentially typically working off a corner of the building. In a particular form to enable the safety barrier to be continuous and to fill gaps in the barrier which are less than the length of one barrier section, the sections are arranged to be lapped.

In accordance with this further aspect, a method of erecting a removable safety barrier on a building under construction is provided that provides the steps of: locating a plurality barrier supports on an edge structure of the building, the barrier supports being arranged to support a plurality of the safety barrier sections, lapping a least one barrier section with two spaced adjacent barrier sections that are being supported by respective barrier supports; and securing the at least one lapped section to the spaced adjacent barrier sections and/or the respective barrier supports to form a continuous safety barrier.

In a particular form of this method the at least one lapped barrier section is secured to the two adjacent barrier sections. In one form the edge structure of the building includes a plurality of corners and sections disposed between respective corners and wherein the barrier sections are installed commencing from at least one corner of the edge structure, and wherein the at least one lapped barrier section is arranged to be installed intermediate a section of the edge structure between respective corners of the edge structure.

In yet a further aspect, the invention is directed to a barrier support for supporting a safety barrier on an underlying structure, the barrier comprising an attachment section that is arranged to be mounted over an upper edge of the underlying structure, the attachment section having an inner member to locate against an inner side of the structure.

In one form, the inner member has a lower portion that in use is arranged to be embedded in a cementitious element cast against the inner side of the underlying structure, wherein the lower portion is configured so that it can be released from the hardened cast element by lifting of the support bracket off the underlying structure. In a particular form the support further comprises a lifting region having a downwardly facing surface to facilitate lifting of the barrier support to release the lower portion of the inner member from the cast element. In one form, the inner member comprises of a plate. In another form, the inner member comprises of one or more bars. Inner members in the form of bars advantageously have a smaller area, thus allowing part of the inner members to extend between and below reinforcement bars in the casting region. Furthermore, as the bars have a relatively thin profile, it allows a greater range for the support bracket to be located and adjusted without interference with the reinforcement bars.

In one form, the attachment section further comprises an outer member arranged to locate against an outer side of the structure. In a particular form, the outer member is longer than the inner member. In use, the outer member is required to resist at least in part outward force applied to the barrier. This is the prevailing force that is required to be accommodated by the barrier and as such the loading that can be accommodated by the outer member is an important performance characteristic of the design. By increasing the length of the member it enables the member to accommodate a greater moment applied the support for a particular loading condition.

In one form, the attachment section is channel shaped and further comprises a base from which the inner and outer members extend, the base in use being arranged to locate on an upper surface of the structure. In a particular arrangement, the support further comprising at least one coupling mounted on the attachment section and arranged to receive a post of the safety barrier. In one form, the support comprises a plurality of couplings.

In one form, the support barrier further comprising a stabilising assembly mounted relative to the attachment section and having a first engagement portion arranged to engage and support the safety barrier in spaced relation from said attachment section. The use of the stabilising assembly is to provide rigidity to the support arrangement and to improve the performance of the support to resist moment loading to the safety barrier.

Accordingly, in a further aspect, the invention is directed to a barrier support for supporting a safety barrier on an underlying structure, the barrier comprising an attachment section that is arranged to be mounted over an upper edge of the underlying structure, and a stabilising assembly mounted relative to the attachment section and having a first member arranged to engage and support the safety barrier in spaced relation from said attachment section.

In a particular arrangement, the stabilising assembly further comprising a second member that is engagable directly or indirectly with the underlying structure in spaced relation from said attachment section. In one form, where the support comprises an inner and outer member that straddles an edge structure of the building, the second member is engagable with the underlying structure through the second member.

In a particular form, the stabilising assembly is formed as a truss. In one form, the assembly extends outboard of the underlying structure. In a further aspect, there is provided a tie for supporting a safety barrier, the tie arranged to interconnect the safety barrier to a fixing location inboard of an underlying structure. In this way, in one form, the stabilising assembly may be arranged to resist assist in increasing the rigidity and performance of the barrier under outward loading whilst the tie can resist inwardly loading. In a particular form, the tie is arranged to interconnect the safety barrier to exposed reinforcing in the building construction.

In yet a further form, the invention is directed to a safety barrier that incorporates a barrier support according to any form described above, and a main barrier part that includes a barrier infill.

In a particular form, a safety barrier comprises a plurality of barrier supports described above, and a plurality of barrier sections, each barrier section having a plurality of spaced posts and a barrier infill disposed between the posts, wherein the posts are supported by respective ones of the barrier supports.

Methods, barrier supports and safety barriers described above are ideally suited for use in high rise construction where the barriers need to be installed quickly and without putting workers at risk. An advantage of the at least one form of the invention is that the barrier can be installed without requiring fixing of the supports by drilling and inserting fasteners into the underlying structure. Rather in at least one form, the supports can be installed by placing the supports over edge structures, making the invention ideally suited to hybrid concrete construction that utilises precast concrete panels as lost edge form.

Brief Description of the Drawings

It is convenient to hereinafter describe an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The particularity of the drawings and the related description is to be understood as not limiting the previous broad description of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the safety barrier mounted to a precast concrete structure of a building;

Fig. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the safety barrier of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the support for use in the safety barrier of Fig.1; Fig. 4 is a top view of the support in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the support in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the support in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the support of Fig. 3 incorporating a plastic sheath to assist in release of the support from a casting;

Fig. 8A is a sectioned side view of the safety barrier of Fig. 1 installed onto precast panel before pouring of in-situ concrete;

Fig. 8B is a sectioned side view of the safety barrier of Fig. 1 installed onto precast panel after pouring of in-situ concrete; Fig. 9 is a side view illustrating removal of the support of Fig. 3 from a cast concrete structure;

Fig. 10 is a front view of the support of Fig. 3, illustrating an alternative arrangement for the removal of the support from a cast concrete structure;

Fig. 11 is a side view of the safety barrier of Fig.l showing the barrier section connected to reinforcement by a tie bar;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the safety barrier system of Fig. 11, with the barrier panels of the safety barrier omitted for visual clarity;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the tie bar for the safety barrier of Fig.l;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the safety barrier system with the tie bar connected to the support posts and the panels of the barrier section;

Fig. 15 illustrates the layout of the barrier of Fig. 1 with overlapping barrier sections and an arc comer section;

Fig. 16 illustrates a perspective view of an arc corner section;

Fig. 17 is a detailed perspective view of lapping barrier sections;

Fig. 18 is an alternative view of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 illustrates an alternative support for use with the safety barrier of Fig. 1;

Fig. 20 illustrates the base of Fig. 19 used in a corner section of the safety barrier system;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a support for use in the safety barrier of Fig. 1 in an alternative embodiment;

Fig. 22 is a side view of the support in Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is a sectioned side view of the safety barrier of Fig. 1 with the support in Fig. 21 installed onto precast panel before pouring of in-situ concrete;

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the safety barrier of Fig. 1 with the support in Fig.

21, with the panels of the barrier section, and part of the cast in-situ concrete removed for visual clarity;

Fig. 25 is the perspective view of Fig. 24, with the inner members of the support embedded into the cast in-situ concrete;

Fig. 26 is a side view illustrating removal of the support of Fig. 21 from a cast concrete structure; Fig. 27 is a front view of the support of Fig. 21, illustrating an alternative arrangement for the removal of the support from a cast concrete structure;

Fig. 28 is a perspective view of a support for use in the safety barrier of Fig. 1 in yet another embodiment;

Fig. 29 is a side view of the support in Fig. 28; and

Fig. 30 is a front view of the support in Fig. 28.

Detailed Description

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a safety barrier 1 installed on the upper deck 101 of a high rise building construction 100. The building 100 is being built using a hybrid construction process where precast concrete panels 102 are installed as both an external structure of the building and as permanent formwork for the casting of internal slabs 103 for the building. As such, prior to pouring of the slabs 103, the precast panels 102 extend above the upper deck area being constructed to form a parapet around the building. Whilst Figs. 1 and 2 show the upper deck 101 having had a slab 103 already cast, as will be described in more detail below, the safety barrier 1 is installed on top edge 104 of the precast panels (which form the parapet) so as to protect works during casting of the slab. The barrier 1 is also able to be removed after casting of the slab 103 so as to allow a subsequent level of the building to be constructed.

The safety barrier 1 includes various components including support brackets 3 mounted on the edges 104 of the panels 102, barrier sections 4 that are in turn secured to the support brackets 3, external stabilising assemblies 5 which extend from the support brackets 3 and engage the barrier sections 4 and ties 6 which connect the barrier sections 4 back to starter bars 105 that project from the slab 103.

The support bracket 3 will now be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 6. The bracket 3 comprises of a base plate 35 with a short inner member 37 and outer member 39 extending in the same direction from the base plate 35 at substantially right angles to form an inverted "U" or "J" channel shape. The channel forms an attachment section adapted to hook onto the rectangular top edge 104 of the precast concrete panels. The inner members 37 are, in use, adapted to locate against the inner side of the precast concrete panels. The outer member 39 is adapted to engage the outer surface of the precast concrete panels. Apertures 41 are provided on the base plate 35 and outer members 39, for attaching shims to enable the support bracket 3 to be mounted on various sizes of precast concrete panels. The shims may be made of rubber, to increase friction of the support bracket 3 to the precast concrete panels.

Shoulders 43 are provided on the base plate 35 and inner member 37. They may be constructed of a length of square bar with a right angle bend, which is welded to the base plate 35 and inner member 37. The shoulders protrude from the base plate 35 and inner members 37 at a first lifting region 45, and second lifting region 47. The shoulders 43 also provide increase rigidity to the angle of the base plate 35 and inner member 37.

A pair of tubes 31 extending from the base plate 35, provide couplings for mounting the lower portion of a support post 13 of a barrier section 4. The tubes 31 are reinforced by plates 53, 55, 57 welded to the tubes 31 and base plate 35.

A clip 33 is provided above the pair of tubes 31 and is supported by a truss 65 to form a stabilising assembly 5. The clip 33 comprises of fixed plate 61 and floating plate 63, held by a bolt and nut. In use, the bolt and nut are tightened so the fixed and floating plates 61 and 63 clamp onto a pair of support posts 13 at an intermediate portion of the support post, spaced away from the attachment section.

The truss 65 on the support bracket 3 comprises of a two triangle truss, arranged to locate on the outboard side of the precast concrete panel when in use. The truss is arranged to counteract the moment arm produced when a force is applied to the barrier section 4, with the force directed outboard of the building.

Fig. 7 illustrates the support bracket 3 with a polymeric sheath 80 surrounding the inner member 37. The sheath may be coated internally or externally with a mold release agent, to reduce friction and cohesion between the sheath and the inner member 37.

Alternatively, the inner member 37 may be encapsulated by another suitable sacrificial material, such as a polymeric block. In another embodiment, the inner member 37 may be coated with a releasing agent, such as a non-stick coating.

To erect the safety barrier system 1, the operator mounts a plurality of support bracket 3 over the parapet 7, by slipping the inner 37 and outer 39 members of the support bracket 3 over the sides of the parapet 7, and allowing the base plate 35 to rest on parapet 7. The inner members 37, which are adapted to be embedded in a cast element is located on the inner side of the parapet. If required, shims may be added to ensure a snug fit of the support bracket 3 to the parapet 7. The operator then couples the barrier sections 4 to the support bracket 3, by slipping the support posts 13 into aperture 51 of the support bracket 3. The operator mounts further barrier sections 4 to the plurality of support brackets 3 as required. Once the required barrier sections 4 are in place, the operator then secures the clips 33 to the support posts 13. Thus the barrier sections 4 are supported at the coupling at tubes 31 and by the stabilising assembly 5 at clips 33. At this stage, the safety barrier system 1 is in an installed state as illustrated in Fig. 8A, and is functional as a safety barrier.

Fig. 8A also shows the state of the safety barrier system 1 in use before pouring of in-situ concrete for form a slab 103. In this case, the preformed concrete parapet 7 and underlying slab 8, are first installed. The safety barrier 1 , is then installed as described above. Importantly, the safety barrier system 1 is installed before further preparatory work proceeds, adding to the safety of operators on the constructions site. After the safety barrier 1 is erected, the operators may proceed to install reinforcement bars ("rebar"), and pour the in-situ concrete as required.

Fig. 8B illustrates the in-situ concrete 9, parapet 7 and underlying 8 forming the slab 103. After the in-situ concrete 9 has set, and further construction tasks are complete, the operator may disassemble the safety barrier system 1 by loosening the clips 33 and removing the barrier sections 4. To remove the support brackets 3, the operator may lift the support bracket 3 vertically from the slab 103. A preinstalled plastic sheath 80, described above may reduce cohesion and friction between the support brackets 3 and the concrete structure to assist in the removal of the support bracket 3. Referring to Fig. 9, if a support bracket 3 cannot be removed by hand, a crowbar 85 may be used to lever the support bracket 3, by engaging the first lifting region 45. Alternatively, the operator may use the crowbar 85 at the second lifting region 47 to assist in the removal of the support bracket 3 as illustrated in Fig. 10.

Figs. 11-14 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention, where the safety barrier system 1, may be further supported by using a tie bar 6 to link barrier sections 4 to fixing locations on the building structures, such as starter bar 105.

Fig. 13 illustrates the tie bar 6. The tie bar 6 comprises of a central shaft 95, a barrier clip 97, and rebar fasteners 99. The barrier clip 97 comprises a fixed plate 301 attached to the shaft 95, and a floating plate 303, the plates 301 303 connected by a nut and bolt 305, and adapted to clamp the barrier sections 4. The barrier clip 97 may clamp the barrier sections 4 at the support posts 13 or the panel sections 11. The rebar fasteners 99, comprise of a first and second hollow tubular section 307 308 welded together at right angles, and fastening bolts 309 for each respective section.

To install the tie bar 6, the fastening bolts 309 are loosened so that the tubular sections 307 are slidingly fit along the shaft 95. The tie bar 6 is then positioned into place by slipping the tubular sections 308 over rebar 91, so that the rebar 91 passes through the tubular sections 308. The barrier clip 97, is then attached to the support posts 13 or panel sections 11 of the barrier sections 4 as illustrated in Fig. 14. Whilst supporting the shaft

95 such that it remains substantially parallel to the floor, the fastening bolts 309 are tightened to fix the tie bar 6 into position.

Fig. 15 is top plan view of a system of safety barriers 1 on a building floor. When installing the safety barriers around the perimeter of a building, the support brackets 3 and barrier sections 4 are first erected on all the corners 121. Subsequent support brackets 3 and barrier sections 4 are erected from the corners 121 along the perimeter of the fence until barrier sections 4 extending from two corners 121 produce a gap 123 narrower than the length of a barrier section 4. To maintain continuity in the safety barrier system 1, an overlapping barrier section 125, is installed to bridge the gap 123. If required, tie bars 6 are then installed to provide additional rigidity to the safety barrier system 1. If appropriate, rounded arc comers 127 may be formed by creating an arc of barrier sections 4 around corners as illustrated in Fig. 16. Alternatively, barrier sections 4 in the arc may be supported by using a footing block as a base.

Figs. 17 and 18 illustrates overlapping barrier section 125 to bridge a gap 123. Barrier sections 4, extending from the corners 121 are supported by the support brackets 3. To support the overlapping barrier section 125, a plurality of clips 131 are used to fasten the overlapping barrier section 125 to the supported barrier sections 4. The clips 131, comprise of a pair of plates and a nut and bolt, adapted to provide a clamping action between the plates. The clips 131 clamp the panel sections 11, of the barrier section 4 and overlapping barrier section 125 together.

Figs. 19 and 20 illustrate the corners 121 of an embodiment of the safety barrier system 1. A base 141, is provided, comprising of a pair of tubes 143, extending vertically from a base plate 145. As illustrated in Figs. 19 and 20, the base 141 supports the barrier section 4, and is adapted to receive two barrier sections 4 at various degrees from one another. When using the base 141 at the corners 121, the base 141 may rest on the parapet 7 without fastening. Optionally, the base 141 may be secured to the parapet 7 or floor via apertures 147. Figs. 21 to 27 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the support bracket 203. The support bracket 203, comprises a pair of short inner bars 237, where the inner bars 237 are made of square bar bent at rights angles and attached to base plate 35. The inner bars 237 are similar to the shoulders 43 described in the first embodiment, albeit with a longer vertical section of the shoulders forming the inner bars 237 of the support bracket 203.

Similar to the first embodiment, the pair of inner bars 237, base plate 35 and outer member 39 provides an attachment section in the form of an inverted "U" or "J" shape channel. The inner bars 237 are also adapted to embed into a cementitious element cast against the inner side of the precast concrete panels. Leverage lugs 244 are attached to the inner bars 237, to provide first lifting regions 245. A second lifting region 247 is provided on the horizontal portion of the square bar, similar to the second lifting region 47 of the first embodiment.

Fig. 23 illustrates the support bracket 203, installed over precast concrete parapet 7. When installed, a portion of the inner bars 237 extend to a position below reinforcement bars 281.

Fig. 24 illustrates the installed support bracket 203, with part of the cast in-situ concrete and the panel of the barrier section 4 removed for clarity. By providing inner bars 237 with a slimmer profile, the pair of inner bars 237 may be adjustably positioned between reinforcement bars 281 in the in-situ concrete casting region. Advantageously, this reduces the chance of the reinforcement bars 281 from interfering with the installation of the support bracket 203. If the inner bars 237 interfere with the reinforcement bars 281 whilst using a particular spacing of the support brackets 203, different length barrier sections 4 may be used, thereby changing the location of the support bracket 203, such that the inner bars 237 may pass between the reinforcement bars 281.

Fig. 25 illustrates the installed support bracket 203, with the slab 103, formed from the precast and cast in-situ concrete. Figs. 26 and 27 illustrates using a crow bar 85 to lever the support bracket 203 from the concrete structure. This may be achieved by engaging the first lifting region 245 or second lifting region 247.

Fig. 28 to 30 illustrates yet another embodiment of the support bracket. Similar to the previous embodiment, the support bracket 303 is provided with a pair of short inner bars 237, a base plate 35, and a pair of tubes 31 to form a coupling. The support bracket 303 comprises a spine comprising of two shafts 365. The lower portion of the spine forms outer member 339, to which outer member plates 340 are attached. The outer member plates 340 are provided with apertures 41, for attachment of shims for adjustment to various sizes of precast concrete panels. The outer member 339, outer member plates 340, inner bars 237 and base plate 35 form an attachment section, substantially in the form of an inverted "U" or "J" shaped channel as described in previous embodiments.

The upper portion 364 of the shafts 365 supports clip 33 to form a stabilising assembly 5. A truss is not required in this embodiment. This provides a simplified structure for the support bracket 303, which may result in lower weight, ease of manufacture and lower production costs.

The support bracket 303 in this embodiment may be installed and removed as described in the previous embodiments. In particular, the inner bars 237 are adapted to embed into a cementitious element cast against the inner side of the precast concrete panels. Furthermore, the the support bracket 303 may be levered from the support structure by engaging the first 245 or second lifting region 247.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method of erecting a removable safety barrier on a building under construction, the method comprising the steps of:

locating one or more barrier supports on an edge structure of the building, the barrier support(s) being arranged to support the safety barrier and include an inner member that locates against an inner side of the edge structure; and

casting a cementitious element against the edge structure so that at least a portion of the inner member is embedded in the cast element whereby the inner member is adapted to be released from the hardened cast element by lifting of the barrier support from the edge structure.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the edge structure comprises one or more precast concrete panels and the one or more barrier supports locate over a top edge of the one or more precast concrete panels.

3. A method according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each barrier support comprises a downwardly directed shoulder, which in use is spaced from the cast element and is arranged to provide a lifting point for the barrier support.

4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the one or more barrier supports further comprise at least one coupling that is arranged to receive one or more safety barrier sections so as to enable the barrier support to support those barrier sections on the edge structure.

5. A method according to any preceding claim further comprising the step of:

supporting the safety barrier at a location spaced from the barrier support by a support assembly that is connected to said barrier support.

6. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the inner member comprises a plate.

7. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the inner member comprises one or more bars.

8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of reinforcements project from the building construction, the method further comprising the step of locating the barrier support such that at least one or more portions of the inner member locates between and below said reinforcements.

9. A method of removing a safety barrier on a building under construction, the barrier being supplied on an edge structure of the building and having an inner member that is embedded in an element cast against the edge structure, wherein the method comprises the step of levering the barrier support off the edge structure to release the embedded portion of the inner member from the cast element.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the safety barrier is erected by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A method of erecting a removable safety barrier on a building under construction, the method comprising the steps of:

locating a plurality barrier supports on an edge structure of the building, the barrier supports being arranged to support a plurality of the safety barrier sections, lapping at least one barrier section with two spaced adjacent barrier sections that are being supported by respective barrier supports; and

securing the at least one lapped section to the spaced adjacent barrier sections and/or the respective barrier supports to form a continuous safety barrier.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein each of the barrier supports further comprises at least one coupling that is arranged to receive a corresponding engaging portion of a safety barrier section so as to enable the barrier supports to support those barrier sections on the edge structure.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein one or more of the barriers supports comprise a plurality of couplings so that a plurality of barrier sections are able to be mounted to said barrier support.

14. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the at least one lapped barrier section is secured to the two adjacent barrier sections.

15. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the edge structure of the building includes a plurality of corners and sections disposed between respective corners and wherein the barrier sections are installed commencing from at least one corner of the edge structure, and wherein the at least one lapped barrier section is arranged to be installed intermediate a section of the edge structure between respective corners of the edge structure.

16. A barrier support for supporting a safety barrier on an underlying structure, the barrier comprising an attachment section that is arranged to be mounted over an upper edge of the underlying structure, the attachment section having an inner member to locate against an inner side of the structure.

17. A barrier support according to claim 16, wherein the inner member has a lower portion that in use is arranged to be embedded in a cementitious element cast against the inner side of the underlying structure, wherein the lower portion is configured so that it can be released from the hardened cast element by lifting of the support bracket off the underlying structure.

18. A barrier support according to claim 17, further comprising a lifting region having a downwardly facing surface to facilitate lifting of the barrier support to release the lower portion of the inner member from the cast element

19. A barrier support according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the inner member comprises of a plate.

20. A barrier support according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the inner member comprises of one or more bars.

21. A barrier support according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein a plurality of reinforcements project from the underlying structure, wherein at least one or more portions of the inner member is arranged to locate between said reinforcements.

22. A barrier support according to any one of claims 16 to 21 wherein the attachment section further comprises an outer member arranged to locate against an outer side of the structure.

23. A barrier support according to claim 22 wherein the outer member is longer than the inner member.

24. A barrier support according to any one of claims 16 to 23, wherein the attachment section is channel shaped and further comprises a base from which the inner and outer members extend, the base in use being arranged to locate on an upper surface of the structure.

25. A barrier support according to any one of claims 16 to 24, further comprising at least one coupling mounted on the attachment section and arranged to receive a post of the safety barrier.

26. A barrier support according to claim 25, wherein the support comprises a plurality of couplings.

27. A barrier support according to any one of claims 16 to 26, further comprising a stabilising assembly mounted relative to the attachment section and having a first engagement portion arranged to engage and support the safety barrier in spaced relation from said attachment section.

28. A barrier support for supporting a safety barrier on an underlying structure, the barrier comprising an attachment section that is arranged to be mounted over an upper edge of the underlying structure, and a stabilising assembly mounted relative to the attachment section and having a first member arranged to engage and support the safety barrier in spaced relation from said attachment section.

29. A barrier support according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the stabilising assembly further comprising a second member that is engagable directly or indirectly with the underlying structure in spaced relation from said attachment section.

30. A barrier support according to claim 29, when dependent on claim 27, wherein the second member is engagable with the underlying structure through the second member.

31. A barrier support according to any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein the stabilising assembly is formed as a truss.

32. A barrier support according to any one of claims 27 to 31, wherein the stabilising assembly is arranged to extends outboard of the underlying structure.

33. A tie for supporting a safety barrier, the tie arranged to interconnect the safety barrier to a fixing location inboard of an underlying structure.

34. A tie for supporting a safety barrier according to claim 33, wherein the tie is arranged to interconnect the safety barrier to exposed reinforcing in building construction.

35. A barrier support according to claims 17 to 32, further comprising of a tie according to claim 33 or 34.

36. A safety barrier for a building under construction, the barrier comprising a plurality of barrier supports according to any one of claims 17 to 32 and 34, and a plurality of barrier sections, each barrier section having a plurality of spaced posts and a barrier infill disposed between the posts, wherein the posts are supported by respective ones of the barrier supports.

37. A method of erecting a removable safety barrier substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

38. A barrier support substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

39. A safety barrier substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.