Organizations across both public and private sectors frequently employ a multi-layered strategy for physical security, incorporating several perimeter barriers to thwart unauthorized access.
A key component of these barriers is anti-ram vehicle barriers, which are crucial for preventing high-speed vehicles from penetrating secure areas, potentially causing harm to property and individuals.
Understanding Anti-Ram Vehicle Barriers
In contrast, passive barriers do not have movable parts and completely block vehicle access, such as fixed bollards
Anti-ram barriers are specifically designed to halt vehicles traveling at high speeds, thereby preventing potential damage to structures or harm to people in areas such as pedestrian zones. These barriers can be categorized as either active or passive; active barriers feature movable components which allow authorized vehicles to pass, with beam barricades being a typical example.
In contrast, passive barriers do not have movable parts and completely block vehicle access, such as fixed bollards. Nevertheless, certain bollards are moveable and function as active barriers.
Crash Ratings Explained
Crash ratings serve as a measure of a barrier's efficacy in stopping speeding vehicles. Delta Scientific manufactures anti-ram barriers that adhere to the ASTM F2656 standard, which requires the barrier to halt vehicles weighing up to 15,000 pounds. According to this standard, anti-ram barriers receive both an M-rating and a P-rating.
The M-rating indicates the speed at which the barrier effectively stops a vehicle of that weight: an M30 rating indicates effectiveness at 30 miles per hour, M40 at 40 miles per hour, with M50 being the highest rating, effective at 50 miles per hour. The P-rating denotes the amount of vehicle penetration past the barrier post-impact. A P1 rating means less than one foot of penetration, while P2 is given if penetration is between one to four feet. No P-rating is awarded if penetration exceeds four feet.
The Necessity of Anti-Ram Vehicle Barriers
The use of vehicle ramming as an attack method has gained popularity due to its potential to inflict widespread
The use of vehicle ramming as an attack method has gained popularity due to its potential to inflict widespread harm with minimal expertise required beyond operating a vehicle.
Such attacks can have devastating consequences, especially if a vehicle crashes into a densely populated area or a building. Hence, anti-ram barriers play a vital protective role in such scenarios.
Deployment of Anti-Ram Barriers
These barriers are frequently installed at high-security locations like law enforcement agencies, government or military bases, airports, and border entry points. Additionally, facilities that represent softer targets, such as sports stadiums, parking structures, and educational institutions, could also enhance their security measures with anti-ram vehicle barriers.
The selection and implementation of vehicle-ramming mitigation strategies should be carefully customized to match the operational requirements of each individual facility.
Many organizations in the public and private sectors have adopted a tiered approach to physical security. Where there is a tiered approach, there are several perimeter barriers in place to prevent access by unauthorized personnel.
Anti-ram barriers are examples of these perimeter barriers. If they are unfamiliar with physical security concepts, they offer this introduction to anti-ram vehicle barriers.
What is an anti-ram vehicle barrier?
An anti-ram barrier is one that can stop a vehicle traveling at high speeds so that it doesn’t crash into buildings or pedestrian areas, which can result in property damage, injuries, and even loss of life.
Anti-ram vehicle barriers can be either active or passive. An active barrier has moveable parts that can allow authorized vehicles to pass. A beam barricade is an example of an active barrier. Other barriers are passive, meaning that they have no moveable parts and don’t allow access to any vehicles. Fixed bollards are an example of a passive barrier, but keep in mind that there are also moveable bollards that present active barriers.
What are crash ratings?
Crash ratings are a way of assessing and communicating how effective a barrier is at stopping a speeding vehicle. At Delta Scientific, they make anti-ram barriers that meet the ASTM F2656 standard. To meet this standard, a barrier has to be effective at stopping a vehicle weighing up to 15,000 pounds.
According to the ASTM standard, anti-ram vehicle barriers receive both an M-rating and a P-rating. The M-rating reflects the speed at which the barrier is effective at stopping a 15,000-pound vehicle. A vehicle with an M30 rating is effective at stopping a vehicle traveling at 30 miles per hour, while an M40 rating is effective at stopping a vehicle traveling at 40 miles per hour. The highest M-rating available is M50, which is effective at stopping a vehicle traveling up to 50 miles per hour.
The P-rating reflects how much of the vehicle extends past the barrier after it has stopped. The barrier receives a P1 rating if the body of the vehicle extends less than one foot past it. If the vehicle penetrates between one foot and four feet past the barrier, the barrier receives a P2 rating. If the penetration is greater than four feet, the barrier has failed the penetration test and doesn’t receive a P-rating.
Why are anti-ram vehicle barriers necessary?
Vehicle ramming attacks are increasingly popular with people who wish to cause harm to others on a large scale. The effects of such an attack can be devastating, especially if the vehicle crashes into a building or a large crowd of people.
The perpetrator of such an attack also doesn’t need a lot of specialized knowledge or training. The ability to acquire and operate a vehicle is all that is necessary.
Where are anti-ram vehicle barriers used?
Anti-ram vehicle barriers are common at facilities that require high levels of security, such as law enforcement facilities, government or military installations, airports, or entry points at borders. However, venues that present a soft target for terroristic attacks, such as stadiums, parking garages, or schools, could potentially benefit from anti-ram vehicle barriers as well.
Vehicle-ramming mitigation has to be tailored to the functional and operational needs of the facility. Contact them to start customizing a solution for your unique security challenges.
