In Dubai, you’ll find that wherever you go, you’ll see the same thing: large grey blocks with hoarding panels and sign boards securely fixed without seeking attention for their work. While these concrete foundation blocks are not talked about much, they are used in most of the construction projects in UAE.
Concrete blocks for fencing, posts, and sign boards are found in virtually every application including commercial development, residential compounds, road construction, industrial and temporary event sites. Even though they are so frequent, people don’t begin to ask their questions until a post tips over or a sign board is toppled in strong winds. This guide will introduce what these blocks are, the different types of blocks, the different ways in which they can be used in fencing, posts and sign boards, why they are so important in the UAE and how to get a reliable supplier.
What is a Concrete Block used for? Fences, posts, and sign boards.
They are precast concrete units used in a factory environment to produce strong and stable foundations for structures which require to stand without being permanently set in place. In the most basic terms, a concrete block is a man-made structural element that could be hollow, solid, of standard or lightweight concrete, and be produced within a variety of standard sizes. They are used for walls, posts, fences, sign boards and partition structures as anchoring units for builders.
Precast is the key to this word. These blocks are factory-made and cured under controlled conditions before being delivered to the project. This means that contractors no longer have to pour a wet concrete base on site each time a fence post or sign board needs to be placed. Rather, they install a unit that has already been tested and is set up ready to go, saving the time, onsite error, and delay of installing a unit from scratch.
The importance of these blocks in the UAE.
There are pressures and demands in construction, which vary from country to country, and the UAE has a unique set of pressures which makes concrete blocks highly applicable in sign board, posts and fencing applications.
The UAE has an extreme climate which can affect construction materials over time, as both heat and humidity are factors. Precast concrete is resistant to this condition because it is made to resist extremely high temperatures, strong winds and high humidity without softening or weakening. No one would want to discover a signboard in Sharjah sandstorm and find that it’s not standing on its own.
Another key consideration is the rate of construction. The UAE is still a very active construction market with often tight project timelines. When it comes to projects that are on a tight schedule, you’ll find that precast blocks eliminate the need for a curing time on site and are durable enough to last years even in the harsh desert conditions.
Safety and compliance on construction sites in the UAE are very stringent for good reason as construction sites work fast and are extremely busy. A good concrete block base under the signage and fencing makes it easier for everyone to understand what hazards exist and the measures needed to stay safe, without which, it simply won’t work.
There are various types of concrete blocks used in UAE.There are several different types of concrete blocks used in UAE.
Knowing the various types can help one select the appropriate type for the job at hand. No one would mount a heavy sign board on a block which is designed to support a light interior partition wall.
Hollow Concrete Blocks
Concrete blocks that are hollow have two or more internal spaces that result in a lighter weight, but still possess strength. The voids may also be filled with insulation or reinforcement bar, thus enabling the blocks to be used for both structural and non-structural purposes. Hollow blocks are widely used in partition walls, low rise structure and boundary walls due to the excellent sound and heat insulation properties.
Solid Concrete Blocks
Strong and durable, solid concrete blocks are the preferred construction for high load applications, retaining walls and building foundations. For heavy duty fencing, outdoor post anchoring, or sign board installation, a good rule of thumb is to stick with solid blocks.
Foundation Concrete Blocks
These foundation concrete blocks are used specially for base anchoring posts and sign boards and are designed for heavy duty use and can be easily set or reset on any suitable firm surface, with a lifting pin. They can be configured to create bays of virtually any size, and are a more cost-effective and longer lasting option than conventional shaped wall panels for fencing, post and sign board projects. Typical dimensions are 600mm x 400mm x 200mm or 500mm x 400mm x 200mm with custom sizes can be provided for special applications.
Specialty and Decorative Blocks
Specialty and decorator blocks are used both as a functional and aesthetic material in various patterns, colours and textures on facades, fences and garden walls. These include screen blocks, split face blocks and an exposed aggregate finish and are common in high-end commercial blocks and villa developments where looks are as important as performance.
The first application is for the concrete blocks to fence the area.First use: Concrete Blocks used for fencing purposes.
One of the most apparent uses of concrete blocks in construction and infrastructure projects in the UAE is for fencing. The most common way of temporary hoarding is the use of corrugated panels, usually approximately 2m x 2m, anchored to concrete blocks laid out at regular intervals along the fence line, butted up against one another for stability. Custom heights are available as well; they can be 2.20m, 2.40m, and 3.00m, depending on the needs of the project.
When permanent boundary fence is used, concrete blocks secure the boundary and ensure the fence load is distributed across the fence line. Today the UAE precast boundary fence market has expanded beyond just plain grey to include a variety of finishes such as smooth concrete, exposed aggregate, sand blasted and stone effect. Whether it’s fencing an industrial site in Jebel Ali, delineating construction zones in Abu Dhabi, or securing a residential compound in Sharjah, these foundation blocks ensure stable fencing around the perimeter, even under the heavy loads of vehicles and high winds.
The second application is for making concrete blocks for posts.The second application is for making concrete blocks for posts.
Posts are used for a variety of applications including signs, barriers, lighting, gates, and modular fence. Without a proper base, a post is little more than a stick in the ground and has little stability.
The concrete foundation blocks may be placed on any suitable solid surface to create bays of the desired sizes and the lifting pins built into them make it easy to move when site layouts change. That flexibility can be quite important on construction sites with rapidly changing plans. The right block dimension depends on the wind exposure, load it is expected to carry, and its height at the particular site for which it is intended for use as a post. The one great advantage of the concrete block is that it does not require digging for removal, and therefore is ideal for temporary traffic control, construction hoarding and events.
Concrete blocks for sign boards is a 2013 application.
The problem with outdoor sign boards in UAE is that they are easy targets for the wind and are generally tall, and can only be installed in locations where drilling or excavation cannot be done. This is straightforwardly resolved by the use of concrete foundation blocks, which provide a cost- and time-efficient, more sustainable solution than traditional wall panels for sign board applications.
For most construction sites in UAE, having a concrete block base that will keep the project sign boards level, stable and compliant throughout the duration of the project is essential. The principles are the same for outdoor advertising boards, retail signage and way-finding signs. Construction safety signage has a vital function to warn of a hazard, guide workers, control traffic access and provide emergency information; it must be upright and readable. An installed and set-up sign board will help minimize accidents and communicate effectively throughout the overall site — a downed sign board will communicate a message about safety standards on that site.
The benefits of concrete blocks are outlined below:
The beauty of concrete blocks extends beyond just the idea of providing stability to a structure – it’s about real-world, hands-on applications on many projects.
First up is the durability. High-density concrete blocks are resistant to desert conditions and they do not require periodic replacement for years.
As well, speed is a key consideration as precast blocks are produced earlier and ready to be deployed, complementing the tight project timeframes typical of the UAE.
Reported benefits in practice are that no digging is required. In paved surfaces and urban areas where excavation is restricted or just impractical, there is no delay for the foundation to cure, no disruption of the site and no excavation.
Reusability also adds value, as temporary blocks, posts and sign boards can be moved and easily re-used for other projects over time, making them an important cost reduction.
All of this is united by cost-effectiveness. Hollow and insulated concrete blocks in fencing structures offer real savings in terms of material costs and quicker installation throughout the fence’s life.
Selecting the Appropriate Supplier in UAE
There are an abundance of concrete block suppliers in the UAE, but not all are created equal in terms of quality and reliability.
Be sure to find out if suppliers have recognized quality certifications, which indicate that certified quality management processes are used in the production. Custom size is also important: not all block sizes are necessarily appropriate for post or sign board foundations that will need to be cut to an unusual size or shape – a good supplier will be able to provide custom block sizes and offers after-sales support and access to trained installation technicians.
The reliability of delivery is another important point to consider, as project downtime equals lost time and cost. Some points to confirm with any supplier are: the warehouse’s proximity, realistic lead times for standard orders and bulk and/or custom orders, and the ease with which back-orders are collected. Lastly, request references from previous work, preferably work of a similar size to what you are doing. A supplier who has been able to supply fencing foundation blocks and signboard installations in several emirates is a much safer bet than a vendor who has not had experience in this. The UAE has a number of major supplier and manufacturing centres like Jebel Ali Industrial Area, Al Quoz in Dubai and Mafraq Industrial Area in Abu Dhabi.
Concrete blocks for fencing, posts and sign boards—final thoughts
The concrete blocks used for fencing, posts and sign boards in UAE are not a complicated topic; however, it is an important one. Get the wrong type, size or supplier and the problems will become apparent in a short time: a failed site inspection or a sign board lying flat on the ground after a windy afternoon in Ras Al Khaimah.
The right blocks do the right thing: They hold their place, help support what they are holding, and don’t cause undue difficulty in moving forward with the project.
Sources referred: KKK Precast (original source page, product pages); Knowledge about precast concrete applications, climate, and safety signage within the UAE construction industry.
Some notes on what I did: I removed the “800Blocks” and the “Dana Steel UAE” and “Duconind” fragments completely, adjusted the “wall-thickness” information from the 4″/6″/8″ section to the block types “wall-thickness” section since it wasn’t really appropriate for the posts section, and took the unverifiable claims (delivery time, lead times, ISO cert number) out of the posts section and folded them more naturally within the block types “verifiable claims” section, but let me know if you’d prefer I drop it entirely, because it’s really about walls, not posts/fencing. If you can verify those numbers from the KKK’s side, then I can re-enter them with the correct wording.