In today’s uncertain world and the increased threat of terrorism, places we once believed were safe may now not be. Because of this, security and terror prevention are increasingly top-of-mind for many organisations. From Embassies and Government Departments, critical infrastructure, to crowded places seen as an easy target such as town centres and shopping malls, high security precautions at such sites are now more important than ever. Key in managing the physical security of a site is dealing with vehicle access.

Why is Vehicle Access Control important?

Vehicles have been used as an effective tool to damage property and harm people due to a combination of availability, mobility and ease-of-access inherent in the design of most sites.

Vehicle-borne threats range from vandalism to determined and aggressive attacks by criminals or terrorists.

What options are there?

Controlling the point of entry often includes products used in low security applications such as automated gates and automated barrier arms in car parks or commercial properties.

However, when there is a focused threat from a vehicle attack there will be a need for a Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) system. The HVM range offers the highest physical security solutions that help mitigate a significant attack and can form part of your wider anti- terror infrastructure.

Installations include those that protect a business from ram raids to internationallyrated* barriers that protect people and assets in vulnerable or crowded areas.

Road Blockers

High security pop-up wedge Road Blockers offer a solution to attack threat by providing the highest level of protection from vehicle-borne threats. They are also an imposing visual deterrent to would-be attackers.

Built from structural steel and rated as high as the M30/M50 HVM standard, they are able to stop large trucks travelling at up to 80kmh.

Deployment is an impressive 3 seconds, which can be further reduced to 1.5 seconds by adding an emergency option. They are effective barrier with a shallow foundation.

Bollards – Automatic / Retractable

Bollards are one of the most common ways of restricting vehicle access and Automatic Bollards are becoming an increasingly popular access control solution.

When retracted, they are virtually invisible. When deployed, pedestrian access is barely affected while vehicles are effectively excluding from designated areas.

Hampden only offer quality European products, made to exacting EU and US standards* to ensure exceptional performance and reliability. These Bollards are rated to M30 and M50 anti-terrorism standards (see below). Deployment can happen as quickly as 5 seconds, with lowering time around 2 seconds.

Although achieving the same level of protection as the Road Blockers, more are needed within the same area at a deeper excavation. The key advantage is allowing pedestrian access while complimenting architecturally to the application.

Bollards – Static

Static Bollards are permanently fixed to provide a cost-effective way of delivering safety for pedestrians and/or protection from accidental to intentional intrusions.

A range of Bollards is available to suit any application including cost-effective, low security (low impact resistance) solutions through to medium and high-end security levels that are impacted rated to ASTM standards, which can stop a truck!

Automated Tyre Killers (Tyre Spikes)

Tyre spikes are an essential threat prevention tool and are an extremely effective way to incapacitate vehicles almost completely. Highly versatile, they are either automated hydraulically or a manually lever-operated unit version in a range of configurations, including spring-loaded, one-way or two-way, and can be surface-mounted with speed humps or recessed into the concrete.

Mechanical versions are the chosen solution for when a power supply is unavailable or as a cost-effective alternative.

All tyre spikes are best used in conjunction with Automated Barrier Arms to demarcate the threshold and increase its visibility.

They are quick to deploy and while not providing the same level of security as a Road Blockers, they can control a site discreetly and in a less destructive way to demobilise a vehicle when deployed.

The Crash Testing Standard explained

It is important to know what you are getting and at Hampden we use international tested products that you can trust.

British, American and World standards provide a rating system, PAS68, ASTM F2656 and IWA14-1 respectively, which define the resilience of the Bollard or Barrier against vehicle attacks at a given mass and speed.

The more common is the M-designation, which was developed by ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials). The two common standards that Hampden offer are outlined below.

M30: This designation certifies that a 6,800kg truck travelling at 50km/h (30mph) will penetrate no further than 1m through the barrier.

M50: This designation certifies that a 6,800kg truck travelling at 80km/h (50mph) will penetrate no further than 1m through the barrier.

Talk to us about your Vehicle Access Control needs or more

Hampden has the experience you need in creating high security perimeters. With our own in-house design and manufacture capability and a range of imported high-security Vehicle Access Control products, we can deliver a custom-designed solution to protect your site giving you the peace-of-mind you seek.

Depending on your site, there may be at risk of vehicle theft, ram-raid, accidental impact or a planned terrorist attack. Once the right risk level is determined, it is easier to establish which product range is suitable.

To find out more, talk to us today or check out our website with much more of the details and specifications on the products mentioned above.

If you need more, Hampden can address your entire physical security needs of your site drawing on 48 years of experience working on some of the most secure locations New Zealand has to offer.