Product Overview

The RS168 Retention Socket from IPL group is an intelligent foundation solution specifically designed for the installation and maintenance of Ø168mm (6.6in) posts, including signs, traffic signals, and lighting columns. Essential to sustainable infrastructure design, it adds value through improved asset management and performance, reduced operational costs, and delivers environmental, health, and safety benefits. These sockets are designed and tested to international standards, approved and used throughout the world, and feature a high-strength, reusable design that survives vehicle impact, eliminating repeat excavation, disruption, and expense. The RS168 is product tested and load rated to EN124 B125.

Key Benefits

• Improved Asset Management: Provides an intelligent foundation solution for easy installation and maintenance of posts, leading to improved asset management and performance.
• Reduced Operational Costs: Eliminates repeat excavation, disruption, and expense associated with traditional post installation and replacement.
• Enhanced Safety & Environment: Delivers environmental, health, and safety benefits by supporting health and safety work practices and promoting environmental policies and targets.
• High-Strength & Reusable: Designed and tested to international standards, its high-strength, reusable design survives vehicle impact, allowing for reuse and reducing waste.
• Versatile Application: Suitable for knock-down and access-control locations, facilitating passive safety design to EN12767.
• Flexible Installation: Easy to handle, adjust, and install on site, with shallow foundation options for congested sites. Can be shortened on site if depth cannot be achieved.
• Simplifies Management: Simplifies project, contractor, and site management, assisting maintenance and seasonal schedules.
• Facilitates Electrical Cabling: Designed to facilitate electrical cabling at ground level.

Applications

The RS168 Retention Socket is designed for the installation of Ø168mm (6.6in) posts in various applications, including:

• Signs.
• Traffic signals.
• Lighting columns.
• Knock-down and access-control locations.
• Congested sites requiring shallow foundations.

Features & Construction

• Designed and tested to international standards.
• High-strength, reusable design.
• Facilitates Passive Safety design to EN12767.
• Foundation size and specification to EN40 & BD94/07.
• Product tested and load rated to EN124 B125.
• Facilitates electrical cabling at ground level.
• Available in common industry sizes and post installation depths.

Customisation Options

• Available in common industry sizes and post installation depths.
• Base options include: standard (flat), duck-foot bend, and tee bends for cable access/shallow foundation.
• Can be shortened on site if depth for RS socket cannot be achieved.
• RS engineered sockets can be made to size, specification and installation requirements.
• RS stump pole and RS post installer available as options.
• Non-standard foundation depths & base types per specification.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Value	Source
Post Diameter Supported	Ø168mm (6.6in)	4
Load Rating	EN124 B125	4
Material	Mixed (see Detailed Material Specification below)	23
Available Models & Dimensions
Ref No.	Base Type	A (mm)	B (mm)	C (Socket Depth) (mm)	D (Post Insertion Depth) (mm)	Weight (kg)
RS168x300sf	shallow foundation	340	215	300	210	28.5
RS168x300	standard [flat]	340	215	300	300	23
RS168x450	standard [flat]	340	215	450	450	24.2
RS168x600	standard [flat]	340	215	600	600	25.5
RS168x600d	duck foot bend	340	215	600	380	32.4
RS168x600t	tee bend	340	215	600	380	33.5
RS168x750	standard [flat]	340	215	750	750	27
RS168x750df	duck foot bend	340	215	750	530	34
RS168x750t	tee bend	340	215	750	530	36
RS168x900	standard [flat]	340	215	900	900	29.5
RS168x900df	duck foot bend	340	215	900	680	36
RS168x900t	tee bend	340	215	900	680	38.5

Detailed Material Specification

• Head, Plug, Locking Lid: Cast Steel (EN10340 GS240 Grade)
• Body: PE - Polyethylene Twin Wall
• Flat Base: Cast Steel (EN10340 GS240 Grade)
• Duck Foot Bend: Ductile Iron (BS2789 500-7)
• Tee Bend: Ductile Iron (BS2789 500-7)
• Setscrews: M16 A2 Stainless Steel
• Assembly Screws: M12 A2 Stainless Steel
• Finish: Galvanised

Installation & Maintenance

• Installation: The RS socket should be set into concrete generally in accordance with International Standards or good Codes of Practice for post installation.
  • Prepare hole at least 75mm deeper than the overall height of the RS socket. If depth for RS socket cannot be achieved, the unit can be shortened on site.
  • Compact at least 75mm of MOT type 1 granular material in base of hole for drainage.
  • Position RS socket in the centre of the hole. For cabled installations, connect ducting from a remote chamber to the swivel bend on the socket, leaving a draw cord in the base of the RS socket bend.
  • Remove locking lid, loosen the two M16 locking set-screws, and remove the pedestrian plug.
  • Install a levelling post (stump pole) in the RS socket, fasten the locking set-screws, and replace the locking chamber lid.
  • Surround with the required amount of concrete (ST4 mix or stronger), using the stump pole to achieve a vertical level.
  • Once concrete has been compacted and has begun to cure, carefully remove the stump pole and lock the pedestrian plug in place.
  • Replace the locking chamber lid and secure in position. Finish footway with the required surface when concrete has cured.
  Refer to the RS socket installation guide for EN40-3-1:2000 foundation guidelines. For detailed foundation sizing on specific site conditions, contact your supplier.
• Maintenance: The high-strength, reusable design minimizes maintenance needs. Its ability to survive vehicle impact and facilitate easy removal/replacement reduces disruption and expense. Supports maintenance and seasonal schedules. Technical drawings for all sockets are available from IPL group.