IRC Accreditation for Bamboo Crash Barriers
Published
Highway buyers often ask whether Kooch Kavach is approved. The accurate answer is that it is accredited by the Indian Roads Congress on a trial basis, and this article explains what that means.
What IRC accreditation is
The Indian Roads Congress is the body that sets technical standards for roads in India. For new products that are not yet covered by an IRC code, it can accredit a product for use, with conditions, so that field data can be collected. Kooch Kavach's accreditation is ACC-370.
What trial basis means
Accreditation on a trial basis allows the product to be used on projects while its field performance is documented. The accreditation is for a limited period. The renewed accreditation is for two years. It is subject to the EN 1317 H1 containment level. Field reports must be sent to IRC every six months.
This is why every Kooch Kavach installation is monitored and reported on. The reports on NH-930, NH-30 and NH-48, and the VNIT evaluation, are part of that record.
What EN 1317 H1 refers to
EN 1317 is the European standard for road restraint systems. It defines containment levels by the type of vehicle and impact a barrier must hold. H1 is a containment level for barriers on lower speed roads, defined by the standard in terms of a heavy vehicle impact. Accreditation here is subject to that level.
What it is not
IRC's letter is accreditation under the council's process. It is not a product certificate, and IRC's own letter asks that it not be used as one. BSU describes it as what it is: accreditation on a trial basis.
What buyers should do
Buyers considering Kooch Kavach should check the current accreditation with IRC, ask for the field reports from comparable sites, and confirm installation guidance for their traffic conditions. The authority reports advise starting on low to moderate traffic roads and using trained installers.
Where this fits
Accreditation, field reports and independent evaluation each cover a different part of the question "does this work". The overall story is in the Kooch Kavach story.
For project information, see Kooch Kavach: World's First Bamboo Crash Barrier.
1. "World's first" and "first on a National Highway" are included as instructed. No supplied document backs them.
2. Article 5 says the NH-48 section runs along a slope. This comes from the report's "no slope rollover" wording. Please confirm.
3. Article 3 says "seven weeks" (5 October to 24 November 2023). This is calculated, not taken from the reports.
4. Article 1 names NH-44, NH-09 and NH-27 as corridors. Confirm you want all three named.
5. The EN 1317 H1 paragraph in Article 6 is a general description, not from the supplied documents. Cut it if you prefer.