What type of hazards do properly constructed or natural barricades primarily protect against?

Properly constructed or natural barricades are primarily designed to protect against fragments. This is because fragments can result from explosive events, projectiles, or other hazardous situations where shrapnel threatens personnel and equipment. Barricades serve as barriers that absorb or deflect these fragments, thereby minimizing injury and damage.

While barricades can offer some level of protection from other types of hazards, such as pressure waves or fire hazards, their primary purpose is to mitigate the risk posed by flying debris. For instance, barricades may not be as effective against the expansive shockwave produced by an explosion, nor are they inherently designed to resist or contain fires. They can also provide limited protection from chemical exposure, depending on design, materials, and environmental factors. However, the main focus of barricades is to enhance safety against fragment hazards, making them ideal for use in military and munitions contexts.