In urban centers, suburban neighborhoods, or even remote rural areas, property safety is always a concern. No matter where you are, threats like violence, crime, and unauthorized access can pose serious risks. Property crimes such as theft, vandalism, and arson cost property owners billions annually in the United States alone.
One often-overlooked risk is vehicle incursions, which occur when a car, truck, or other vehicle collides with a building. These incidents can lead to significant damage to both people and structures. On average, motor vehicles crash into buildings or other structures around 60 times a day in the U.S., regardless of whether the incident was intentional or accidental.
Crash-rated barriers serve multiple purposes, including preventing vehicle incursions, managing traffic flow, and improving overall perimeter security. Let's delve deeper into these crucial devices to better understand how TYMETAL Corp’s crash barriers can help protect people and property from impact damage.
The Importance of Crash-Rated Barriers
Crash-rated barriers are vital for enhancing safety in a variety of environments, especially those prone to vehicle intrusions or criminal attacks. Even locations not directly targeted by terrorism can benefit from these devices, which make pedestrian traffic safer and regulate the movement of vehicles.
These barriers can be installed in numerous settings. Along major highways and roads, they are often permanently or semi-permanently placed to increase road safety. In this context, crash barriers decrease the likelihood of vehicles veering off the road or entering opposing lanes. They can also be deployed at construction sites, access roads, and other critical areas to maximize security or direct vehicle traffic. Designed to absorb some of the impact energy and redirect vehicles when necessary, crash barriers help protect both individuals and property.
Understanding the Role of Crash Barriers in Perimeter Security
Strategically positioning crash barriers helps prevent vehicle intrusions and safeguards sensitive assets and infrastructure. Depending on the environment and the specific security needs of the property, crash barriers can also be used for crowd control and guiding foot traffic. These barriers perform several functions to improve perimeter security:
- Absorb the force of a collision and minimize damage.
- Comply with any relevant security regulations.
- Provide a checkpoint for guards to conduct inspections.
- Control traffic flow to reduce congestion.
- Slow down speeding vehicles and manage crowds during events or gatherings.
- Integrate with other security solutions for comprehensive risk management.
Types of Crash Barriers
Given the wide range of crash barriers available, properties and facilities of all kinds can find systems tailored to their unique requirements. Options include manual or automatic closing crash-rated gates, fencing, beams, and bollards, all of which fall under the following general categories of crash barriers:
Crash Tested Barriers
These barriers have been independently tested and assigned rating designations that show their stopping power based on the speed and weight of the impacting vehicle. They also indicate the expected degree of penetration post-impact.
Crash-Rated Barrier Ratings and Certifications
Following incidents of terrorism involving vehicles ramming through barriers, the U.S. State Department developed a crash barrier rating system.
U.S. State Department Ratings
You might encounter one of three K ratings, each measuring the barrier's stopping power in relation to the speed and weight of the vehicle involved. The three most common K ratings used today are:
- K4: Stops a 15,000-pound vehicle traveling at 30 mph.
- K8: Stops a 15,000-pound vehicle traveling at 40 mph.
- K12: Stops a 15,000-pound vehicle traveling at 50 mph.
ASTM Ratings
After 2003, U.S. standards were updated to reflect stricter security measures abroad. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) took over certifying crash tests. These ratings measure penetration and speed for various vehicle types. Speed ratings are expressed for small passenger cars (SC), full-size sedans (FS), pickup trucks (PU), standard test trucks/medium-duty trucks (M), class 7 cabovers (C7), and heavy goods vehicles (H).
ASTM also provides P ratings indicating penetration in three classifications:
- P1: less than 3.3 feet
- P2: 3.31 to 23 feet
- P3: 23.1 to 98.4 feet
For instance, an M50, P2 crash barrier could stop a medium-duty truck traveling at 50 mph with a penetration distance ranging from 3.3 to 23 feet.
Engineered Crash Barriers
Instead of undergoing formal ASTM crash tests, manufacturers rely on past crash test experiences and engineering principles to calculate anticipated performance and obtain certification from a Professional Engineer. Any crash test rating that doesn't precisely match the "as tested" product is considered "engineered," and the manufacturer must certify that it will perform to the same crash test rating as the original product.
Reinforced Crash Barriers
Reinforced crash barriers are neither crash-tested nor crash-rated. They are simply designed to offer greater crash resistance than standard versions. For example, a manufacturer might add horizontal steel cables to a sliding gate and secure them to support posts or fixed bollards when the gate is closed. While this setup provides enhanced crash protection, the exact level of protection remains undefined.
Benefits of Using Crash-Rated Barriers
Protecting valuable assets and ensuring human safety are among the key advantages of using crash-rated barriers. These essential perimeter security solutions help reduce property damage caused by vehicle incursions and collisions.
Enhanced Security: Preventing Vehicular Attacks
Permanent installations like crash gates and beams, along with portable options like crash bollards, offer excellent security. Many criminals and terrorists are immediately discouraged by the presence of security barricades. Moreover, these devices provide impact protection if someone tries to ram through the barricade, making crash barriers a vital component of a robust perimeter security strategy.
Cost-Effective Perimeter Protection Solutions
At TYMETAL, we recognize our clients' diverse needs, including budgetary constraints. Although crash-rated barriers involve an initial investment, the return on that investment is immeasurable. Think about the cost savings from preventing injuries and protecting properties and assets. Additionally, crash barriers may reduce liabilities, cutting down on accident-related expenses and the costs associated with restoring properties after an incident.
Selecting the Right Crash-Rated Barrier
To fully benefit from installing a crash-rated barrier, it's crucial to choose the right type. No two properties or situations are identical. Therefore, beginning with a thorough site assessment yields the best outcomes. Let's explore the process in more detail:
Assess the Site
Evaluate the intended area, noting the site conditions and expected boundaries. Pay attention to factors like side roads, terrain, landscaping, and utilities. Consider natural deterrents such as hills, swales, rocks, trees, etc. Also, take into account local regulations and policies that may play a role and the expected threat level.
Perform a Threat Assessment
Understanding the site's vulnerabilities and potential threat risk is essential for selecting the right crash barrier. Investigate the areas most susceptible to vehicular attacks. Conduct motion studies to determine potential vehicle paths and note the typical vehicle size and speed according to normal traffic flow.
Consider the Details
Does the area require something permanent like a gate or beam or something removable like crash bollards? Additionally, assess the opening and space on either side to determine the type of system that will fit the area. Finally, use the information from the threat assessment to determine the appropriate crash rating for optimal safety.
Contact TYMETAL for Your Crash Barrier Needs
TYMETAL leads the industry in designing, manufacturing, and servicing high-quality crash-rated barriers. Whether the site is high-security, such as military and defense facilities, or low-to-moderate security, like an educational institution or commercial property, we can help enhance your perimeter security. With decades of experience and a dedicated team committed to providing the best possible customer service, TYMETAL is ready to meet your security needs. Contact us today to learn more about crash-rated solutions.
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