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What K-rated vehicle restraint options are available today in the high security industry?

Since 9/11, the high security industry has exploded. Particularly in the fencing, gates, cable restraint, fixed barrier and access control industries. There are truly limitless options. However, to get you started in the right direction, we have listed a few of the most popular installations utilized today.

Vehicle Barriers

Vehicle barriers are categorized as being either passive or active. Passive and active barriers can be movable or fixed, depending on how they are operated, used or made. Some commercial barriers are dual-classified, when they meet the requirements for both categories (e.g., portable passive, fixed-active, etc.) There is no industry-wide standard terminology for vehicle barriers. For this UFC, the following definitions will be used.

Passive Barrier Systems

A passive barrier is considered passive because it has no moving parts. Passive barrier effectiveness relies on its ability to absorb energy and transmit the energy to its foundation. Bollards, ditches, guardrails, highway medians, reinforced fences, posts and tires are examples of passive barriers.

Active Barrier Systems

An active barrier requires some action, either by equipment, personnel, or both, to grant or deny entry of a vehicle. The system has to have some form of moving parts. Active barrier systems include gates, bollards, barricades, beams, and active tire shredders.

Fixed Barrier Systems

A fixed barrier is permanently installed or requires heavy equipment to disassemble or move. Examples include hydraulically-operated rotation or retracting systems, pits, and concrete or steel barriers. Fixed barrier systems can be either passive or active.

Portable Barrier Systems

A portable barrier system can be moved and relocated from place to place. This may still require heavy equipment to assist in the transfer. Hydraulically operated, sled-type, barricade systems, highway medians, or filled 55-gallon drums that are not set in foundations are typical examples. Portable barrier systems can be either passive or active.

Hydraulic Pop-Up Barriers

Hydraulic pop-up barriers are large immovable barriers that generally run the length of the drive. The barriers are at or below ground level and are designed to rise quickly in order to divert a vehicular threat traveling at very high speeds. Once given a signal to rise, hydraulic pistons quickly raise the large steel road surface. These barriers can be easily installed on a temporary basis in under fifteen minutes.

Cable Restraint Systems

Cable restraint systems are typically ¾” to 1 ¼” diameter cables installed at height intended to stop and capture a vehicle. These systems may be either certified or uncertified. Certified systems carry a K-Rating which boils down to how far a vehicle of specific weight and size traveling at a specific speed will stop once the vehicle has run into the cables. The cables are strewn between posts to keep the system at a specific height. At specified lengths, the cables are terminated with the use of a deadman system.

Hydraulic Bollards

Hydraulic crash bollards are steel bollards that can be recessed to ground level and rise up in under three seconds to stop a vehicular threat traveling at high speeds. Bollards are easily operated as they are able to work in tandem with a simple three button station or sophisticated security system. Hydraulic bollards protect the United States embassies and federal facilities throughout the United States and abroad.

Crash Barrier Gates

Crash barrier gates are designed to stop both foot traffic and vehicular threats traveling at high speeds. these gates are popular with airports in order to prevent anyone or anything approaching the grounded aircrafts. These gates require an electrical gate operator to move the gate at a speed of two feet per second to meet FAA requirements.

Barrier Arm Gates

Much like a parking arm gate, barrier arm gates raise and lower with a large tubular steel boom that has a cable assembly running through the tube. Once in the closed position, the cable automatically is looped over a large steel saddle horn. These particular barrier arms are designed to stop a vehicular threat traveling at an excessive speed. These gate arms are available for electrical /mechanical or manual operation.

High Security Prison Gates

Prison fencing must be extra tall, void of any gaps that allow penetration, and absolutely fool proof. Operated from a remote site, a high security prison gate—with its unique locking column and fully enclosed track and chain assemblies—cannot be foiled by hands-on intervention.

Gate Automation

From fingerprint scannerss, retina scans, anti-passback, three strikes and tail gating, today’s gate automation devices go above and beyond. With the use of a personal PC and telephone entry device, you can not only decided if people can access your perimeter, but how often they can have access and at what time of the day. The options are limitless.

Concertina Wire

The severe form of the commonly known “razor wire,” concertina wire is used at almost every nuclear power plant and correctional facility throughout the United States. In a variety of diameters and types, this wire is finding its way into the private sector as an impenetrable threat. Once used only in prisons, today’s criminals are unprepared to deal with this threat. However, consideration must be given to public safety prior to installation.