Why the shape of the steel matters
Different steel products move in different ways. Bars and rebar tend to slide along their length under braking; pipes can also roll sideways. Good bundling and securing deal with the specific way each product wants to move.
The European Commission's best practice guidelines on cargo securing start from this principle: a load must be prevented from sliding, tipping, rolling or shifting, using a combination of blocking, lashing and friction suited to the load.
Rebar
Reinforcing bar is usually supplied in bundles tied with wire or steel bands at intervals along the length, often with a tag identifying the product. For transport:
- Keep bundles tied and intact; loose bars are much harder to secure.
- Lay bundles flat on timber dunnage, which spreads the load and leaves room for lifting slings at site.
- Place bundles against the headboard and close together to limit forward and sideways movement.
- Restrain every bundle with tensioned straps or chains; short bundles must not be left loose between longer ones.
- Use edge protection where straps cross bundle edges, especially on coated bars.
For a step-by-step method, see how to transport rebar safely on a flatbed.
Steel bars and sections
Other steel bars and sections behave much like rebar, but their shapes vary. Flat and square bars stack more stably than round bars; angles and channels can interlock or tip. General principles:
- Bundle like with like, so each bundle has a consistent shape.
- Separate layers with dunnage so bundles do not grind against each other.
- Keep the stack low and stable; avoid tall, narrow stacks that can tip.
- Restrain the load so friction and the headboard together prevent sliding.
Pipes
Pipes add a second problem: rolling. As well as preventing sliding, the load must stop pipes rolling sideways off the deck.
- Stack pipes in stable layers, with wider layers at the bottom.
- Use chocks or wedges on the outer pipes of each layer to block rolling.
- Use dunnage between layers where the pipe type and stacking require it.
- Strap over the load so every pipe is held, and check that small-diameter pipes cannot slip out between straps.
- Protect pipe ends and coatings where needed.
Comparison
| Product | Main movement risk | Key securing measures |
|---|---|---|
| Rebar | Sliding along the length | Tied bundles, dunnage, headboard, straps on every bundle, edge protection |
| Steel bars and sections | Sliding; some shapes tip or interlock | Like-with-like bundles, dunnage between layers, low stable stacks, straps |
| Pipes | Sliding and rolling | Stable layers, chocks or wedges, dunnage, straps over every pipe |
Weight and placement
Steel is dense, so a modest-looking load can be heavy. Place the load so weight is spread correctly across the axles, and keep the vehicle within its legal limit. See UAE weight and axle-load rules.
Checking during the journey
Loads settle, and straps can lose tension, particularly in the first part of a journey and on rough or winding roads. Re-check and re-tension after the first few kilometres and after heavy braking. This matters most on longer runs, such as from Dubai to Fujairah across the Hajar Mountains.
At the destination
Release straps carefully with people clear, because a load can move once restraint is removed. Lift bundles using the space left by the dunnage, and follow the site's lifting plan.
Steel haulage with Nafees Transport
Our steel and rebar haulage service moves steel bars, rebar bundles and pipes, loaded, strapped and secured on trucks and flatbed trailers.
After delivery: storing steel on site
Before the truck leaves, check the delivery against the order – product, size and number of bundles – while the driver is still on site. Good practice does not end there, either. Store steel on dunnage or racks, off the ground, in its bundles and grouped by type and size, so it stays clean, easy to identify and easy to lift again. Keep the storage area clear of traffic routes and away from where it could be struck by plant.
Need materials moved?
Nafees Transport is a Dubai-based transport company that moves construction and industrial materials, steel and rebar across all seven emirates. Send your requirement through the quote form or WhatsApp on +971 54 161 0526, Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 6 PM.
Sources
- European Commission – European Best Practice Guidelines on Cargo Securing for Road Transport (2014)
- Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure – Table of maximum weights and dimensions of heavy vehicles on federal roads (January 2024)
Road rules change. Always check the latest notice from the relevant authority before dispatch.