User Manual

Revision A (Dated 05/01/13) 5
Deflection Clear Zone
When installing the TrafFix Water-Wall , a clear zone must be made kept on the work zone side of
the barrier to allow for lateral deflection into the work zone. When impacted at the design speed of
31 mph [50 kph] at an impact angle of 25° with a 4500 lbs. [2000 kg] impact vehicle the deflection is
15.5 ft. [4.7 m]. This is the minimum clear zone required in the work zone. This clear zone is at the
test impacted design speed and condition. Additional deflection values can be seen in Figure 5 (or on
pg. 19).
Figure 5: Clear Zone Diagram and Chart Recommendation
Maintenance and Repair
There are no scheduled maintenance requirements for the TrafFix Water-Wall. There should be
periodic checking of the water level to insure that it is filled to the proper level. The TrafFix Water-
Wall is not fully effective unless each section is filled. If the optional water level indicator is
installed, a visual inspection can be made while driving by, otherwise the fill cap should be removed
for inspection.
In a major impact, a severely damaged TrafFix Water-Wall should be removed and replaced. There
may be leaking sections that can be repaired following the steps below. See Figure 6 (or on pg. 20-
21)
Patching leaks (holes or cracks) in the TrafFix Water-Wall plastic should be done on completely dry
surfaces free of dirt and grease. In addition, any paint or added finish beyond the factory smooth
plastic surface should be removed.
Plastic welding and welding patches onto the surface is the most common method for repairing
leaking sections of the TrafFix Water-Wall. A plastic repair kit can be obtained from TrafFix Devices
Inc. The plastic patch is made from the same material as the TrafFix Water-Wall plastic. The
welding rod is made from the same material as the TrafFix Water-Wall plastic material as well. A
small butane or propane torch is used for applying heat to the plastic rod. The rod should be melted
to the patch and the wall surface in order to create a bonding patch. Temperature for bonding the
plastic is 500-550°F [260-290°C]. The torch head should be held ¼-½ inch [0.635-1.27 cm] away