A building is vulnerable to an attack with a vehicle or to vehicles that can place individuals over a barrier or onto a building. Vehicle deterrence keeps vehicles at a distance from the building. While you can add a moat or retaining wall to a fence to prevent a ram attack, this is impossible at a gate, as authorized vehicles must be able to pass. A barrier does not provide the resistance needed for a high-security area. An extra heavy gate might be an option, but if it truly needs to withstand a ram attack with heavy equipment, consider bollards or roadblockers. But where and how do you best deploy them?

All about Bollards and Roadblockers

Bollards

Bollards are steel anti-ram posts that have been recognizable in the streetscape for years. During the time when many jewelers were robbed, these were frequently used, and this has paid off. We now see innovation in aesthetics in this area; anti-ram posts designed as trash cans or as greenery. This places less emphasis on the risk of a robbery while maintaining effectiveness.

Types of Bollards

Static bollards of this caliber are typically placed about a meter into the ground (concrete), and the portion that protrudes above ground depends on the application.

In addition to static bollards, there are also dynamic, retractable bollards. These are also known as traffic posts. With an electro-hydraulic mechanism, the posts are raised and lowered via the access control system to regulate traffic in areas. We know them from their use in city centers, but they are also widely used at government buildings and industrial sites.

Resistance Classification of Bollards

Bollards are available in various resistance grades. The heavier ‘security’ versions are equipped with a PAS 68 crash test certificate, indicating how the bollard was tested. A code is often used here, for example, V/7,500[N2]/48/90:0/0. This code may seem meaningless at first glance, but it reveals a lot of information:

V: the test method here is with a vehicle (or Vehicle). Variations are D (Design) or P (Pendulum), which are generally only used to test lower resistance classes.
7,500: weight of the vehicle used in the test
[N2]: type of vehicle used in the test. N2 is a light truck or van (bus with a loading platform) up to 7500 kg.
48: indicates the speed at which the bollard was rammed, expressed in kilometers per hour.
90: indicates the angle at which the bollard was rammed. Usually, this is 90˚ or straight on for gates. In the case of retaining walls on highways, the angle may differ.
0/0: the first 0 indicates the number of meters the load-bearing part of the vehicle penetrated beyond the rear of the bollard. The second 0 indicates how many meters of heavy debris (heavier than 25kg) were thrown beyond the bollard during the test.

Applications of Bollards

These heavier ‘high secure’ bollards are widely used at cash centers, political and military sites. Retractable bollards often have an installation depth of 1.70 meters (excluding any foundation). So think carefully about the application; on a floor level, this is often impossible.

A relatively new form of bollards is the traffic post that does not retract into the ground but slides over the ground. Still equipped with a PAS 68 certificate and without thresholds or obstacles that someone could trip over. The great advantage is the shallow installation depth; this is sometimes only 15 cm, which can also be neglected by creating a small threshold in the terrain. This makes it an excellent solution for the aforementioned problem on a floor level and even in temporary situations, where the entire ‘prefab’ construction can be temporarily anchored to a floor.

With bollards, you can flexibly determine the width of your passage. Does it need to be wider than a usual passage? Then simply add an extra post.

Opening and Closing Speed of Bollards

A bollard has an average opening/closing speed of 5-6 seconds. In some cases, an EFO (Emergency Fast Opening) is also available, reducing this to just 3 seconds. This allows emergency services to arrive more quickly.

As you can see, with all the variables, it becomes challenging to determine exactly which bollards you need in relation to your risks. Our experts are knowledgeable about a wide range of Modus Operandi, as well as the possibilities and limitations in technology from abstract to very specific levels. We are happy to advise you.

Roadblockers

In the case of high risk, a roadblocker is a very effective measure to deter vehicles. These wedge-shaped steel constructions with their recognizable signaling function are completely sunk into the floor and provide an obstacle-free passage if necessary, but in the closed position, high secure variants are even capable of stopping a heavy truck of 30 tons traveling at 80 kilometers per hour from ramming the roadblocker. Remarkably, they continue to function afterward to still allow emergency services access to the area behind the roadblocker. We frequently use roadblockers at cash centers, political or military government sites, and in vital infrastructure.

Types of Roadblockers

High Secure Roadblockers typically have an installation depth of about 1.50 meters, but there are also variants that only need to be installed 21.5 cm deep. The so-called ‘Shallow Depth’ roadblocker. Although it scores somewhat lower in the resistance class, it can be the ideal solution for the right situation. Roadblockers are available in widths of 2-6 meters, allowing you to effectively secure a passage of up to 8.4 meters against a ram attack. However, the width and type of roadblocker you use do affect the resistance class.

Resistance Classification of Roadblockers

Roadblockers are available in various resistance grades. The heavier ‘high secure’ versions are equipped with a PAS 68 crash test certificate, indicating how the roadblocker was tested. A code is often used here, for example, V/7,500[N2]/48/90:0/0. This code may seem meaningless at first glance, but it reveals a lot of information:

V: the test method here is with a vehicle (or Vehicle). Variations are D (Design) or P (Pendulum), which are generally only used to test lower resistance classes.
7,500: weight of the vehicle used in the test
[N2]: type of vehicle used in the test. N2 is a light truck or van (bus with a loading platform) up to 7500 kg.
48: indicates the speed at which the roadblocker was rammed, expressed in kilometers per hour.
90: indicates the angle at which the roadblocker was rammed. Usually, this is 90˚ or straight on for gates. In the case of retaining walls on highways, the angle may differ.
0/0: the first 0 indicates the number of meters the load-bearing part of the vehicle penetrated beyond the rear of the roadblocker. The second 0 indicates how many meters of heavy debris (heavier than 25kg) were thrown beyond the roadblocker during the test.

Opening and Closing of Roadblockers

Roadblockers have proven to be a very reliable measure due to their durable construction. They are operated via an access control system, and for many variants, manual operation is also possible in case of a power outage. The standard opening speeds are between 6-8 seconds, but they are also available with an EFO (Emergency Fast Opening), reducing that time to 3 seconds. This allows emergency services to arrive more quickly.

Do you want to know which type of roadblocker is the ideal security measure for your risks?

We are happy to advise you

Retaining Walls and Elevation Differences

Bollards and roadblockers can be effectively combined with concrete retaining walls and elevation differences in the terrain. This way, you achieve a seamless line of vehicle deterrence.

Standards for Bollards and Roadblockers

Standards have been established for crash tests on bollards and roadblockers. We use the standards for vehicle deterrence/crash tests (bollards, roadblockers, and barriers) PAS 68 and PAS 69. ISO/IWA-14-1:2013 is also used here. However, a standardized product says nothing about the quality of your overall deterrence. We ensure that all measures are built in balance and coherence with each other, so you can always provide the resistance and delay that are important for your organization. Do you want to know how we go further where the standard ends? Feel free to contact us.

Resistance Class of Bollards and Roadblockers

In the mentioned standards, a resistance class SR1-SR6 is often used. This provides a good guideline for the resources you use in your site security. However, it is advisable to always consider the purpose in relation to the resources. For example, an adequate stand-off zone between the various structural components is often more valuable than a well-standardized product on its own.

Depending on your risk profile, we determine the layering your site security needs together with you. We then adjust the resistance class per product to suit your situation and match your ambition.

Need more information? Get in touch with us!