Anti-Ram Barriers: Enhancing Security for Your Property

When it comes to building security, the design of your perimeter system plays a crucial role. It determines who can enter and exit your property while protecting against potential intruders trying to force their way in. Anti-ram barriers are essential tools in safeguarding your investment from external threats. In this article, we will explore the various types of active and passive perimeter security solutions that can be installed around your property to protect it, your employees, and visitors from unauthorized vehicles.

What Are Anti-Ram Barriers?

The primary purpose of anti-ram vehicle barriers is to protect against vehicle-related threats. They provide two main forms of protection:

1. Crash Tested HVM (Hostile Vehicle Mitigation)

These devices are designed to stop the intrusion of a vehicle into a secured location at all costs. They can be manual or automated. Traditionally, they are used in Class III or Class IV facilities. Anti-ram barriers protect against ram-raiding, where a driver crashes their vehicle into a building to gain access and steal or vandalize. The damage and theft caused by such incidents can be devastating for businesses, which is why many install anti-ram barriers around their properties. While these events often occur at night when the building is unoccupied, they can also happen during the day, putting employees and visitors at risk. Additionally, vehicles may accidentally crash into buildings due to careless or drunk driving, especially if the building is close to the road or at a sharp turn. Certain anti-vehicle barriers can prevent cars from veering off the road and into a building.

2. Perimeter Security Gates & Systems

These can be manual or automated. If automated, they allow access to those with the appropriate access control devices. They act as a visual deterrent and help slow down potential intruders. Many cities have designated areas for pedestrian traffic, including parks, walkways, and roads. To prevent vehicles from accessing these areas—whether by accident or with criminal intent—various barriers can be installed. These range from obvious ones like bollards to more subtle options like trees or reinforced street furniture.

DOD- and DoS-Certified Anti-Ram Solutions

Anti-ram barriers are designed to meet requirements established by the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of State (DOS). These standards are detailed below.

K-Ratings

In the 1980s, the Department of State introduced K-ratings, a crash test certification for gates, fences, bollards, and other barrier types. This rating measured how much stopping power a barrier has relative to the weight and speed of a vehicle colliding with it perpendicularly. A vehicle’s K-rating weight is typically 15,000 pounds. There are three possible K-ratings: - A K4 barrier stops a 15,000-pound vehicle going 30 mph. - A K8 barrier stops a 15,000-pound vehicle going 40 mph. - A K12 barrier stops a 15,000-pound vehicle going 50 mph.

M-Ratings

Since K-ratings were first issued, ASTM International introduced M-ratings, which account for more factors, including a range of vehicle weights, velocities, and penetration distances. Vehicles weighing 15,000 pounds are classified as medium-sized (M) trucks. - An M30 barrier stops a 15,000-pound vehicle going 30 mph. - An M40 barrier stops a 15,000-pound vehicle going 40 mph. - An M50 barrier stops a 15,000-pound vehicle going 50 mph.

Penetration Levels

ASTM also established penetration levels, which measure how far past the barrier a vehicle travels. This rating system ranges from P1 to P4: - P1: The vehicle travels up to 3.3 feet beyond the barrier. - P2: The vehicle travels between 3.31 and 23 feet beyond the barrier. - P3: The vehicle travels between 23.1 and 98.4 feet beyond the barrier. - P4: The vehicle travels more than 98.41 feet beyond the barrier. An example of an ASTM rating is M50-P1, indicating the barrier can stop a 15,000-pound vehicle going 50 mph, with the vehicle traveling no more than 3.3 feet beyond the barrier.

Anti-Ram Barrier Applications

You've likely seen anti-ram barriers—also known as hostile vehicle mitigation barriers—in front of many public venues. Some specific applications include: - Airports - Department of Defense buildings - Department of State buildings - Border patrol locations - Law enforcement buildings - Large retail stores (HVM barriers are not intended for use in a Class II Installation) - Distribution centers and warehouses - Showrooms (HVM Barriers are not intended for use in a Class II Installation) - Schools - Loading docks - Data centers - Utilities/Power stations - Banks

Passive vs Active Anti-Ram Barriers

Anti-ram vehicle barriers can be divided into two categories: passive and active. We'll explain each in detail.

Passive

Passive vehicle barriers are fixed in place and do not allow vehicles to enter. They protect an area of the perimeter away from a vehicle access point. Examples include: - Berms - Walls - Ha-ha barriers - Fixed bollards - Fences - Reinforced street furniture - Fixtures - Heavy objects - Trees - Engineered planters (TYMETALs are crash-tested) - Water obstacles - Jersey Barriers

Active

Active vehicle barriers are found at vehicular access control points in a perimeter barrier system. They can also be installed at entrances to parking garages or other specific buildings within a site. They can serve as barriers for vehicle inspection or screening and can be operated to permit the passage of automobiles. Examples include: - Retractable bollards - Rising-wedge barricades - Rotating wedge systems - Crash gates - Crash beams - Surface-mounted plates and wedges

The Different Anti-Ram Solutions

Numerous anti-ram solutions are available on the market. The one you choose will depend on several factors, including what type of building you own and how much at risk you are of an attack. We’ll go over the four most common solutions below.

1. Anti-Ram Bollards

Anti-ram bollards consist of a cylinder and are generally made of steel. They’re installed in the ground in a deep concrete footing for maximum stability. This prevents the passage of vehicles while allowing pedestrians and bike riders to pass through. Bollards can also consist of reinforced concrete and steel sections. Anti-ram bollard systems must be designed to stop a vehicle extremely quickly and avoid leaving an opening for other cars to enter. You can order bollards with directly attached ornamental steel. Other customization options include: - Cast sleeves: Materials include iron, bronze, or aluminum, even concrete. - Anti-rusting capabilities: Bollards can be galvanized, which will protect them against corrosion. - Illumination: Bollards can also feature internal illumination, making them more visible. Keep in mind that typical bollard installation requires penetrating several feet into the ground, which may lead to issues with underground utilities if you're not sure of their location. If these utilities complicate the installation of traditional bollards, you might alternatively use bollards with a shallow foundation below grade to help prevent overturning. If you’re planning on installing bollards, you’ll have to choose between removable and fixed models. Learn more about the advantages and best uses of each below.

Removable Bollards

Bollards can be retracted or removed either mechanically or manually. If you only need access control occasionally, removable bollards make the most sense. These options generally have different locking mechanisms, depending on how much security you require. These bollards can be installed and removed quickly and easily, and they leave a ground cover lid behind, meaning vehicles or pedestrians passing over them won’t be damaged or injured. Removable bollards are great for controlling crowds and vehicles during events or other temporary situations. Just put them in their slots once a parking lot fills up, or use them in the streets to ward vehicles off from events with lots of foot traffic. One type of retractable bollard is a rising bollard, which can control access when necessary—somewhat like security gates. While some are hydraulic powered, TYMETAL bollards are operated manually, which require less depth of excavation, are smaller and less susceptible to corrosion from moisture or debris.

Fixed Bollards

Unlike removable and retractable bollards, fixed bollards provide long-term security and protection. Depending on which model you choose, you can either mount fixed bollards to a surface or embed them. They are usually the best choice for permanent facilities with a relatively high risk of vehicle-based attacks. Examples of such facilities include government buildings, airports, retail stores, warehouses, stadiums, and schools. One of the biggest benefits of these HVM barriers is that the owners or facility operators don’t need to worry about removing them and putting them back. They’re also relatively easy to install. For these reasons, fixed bollards are among the most popular types.

Mixed Arrays

At TYMETAL, we also have a solution where you can incorporate both fixed and removable in one line of bollards where a number of removable bollards are placed in line in the array to allow for vehicle access when needed.

2. Anti-Ram Gates

Anti-ram gates are barriers that open and close automatically or manually to allow vehicles to enter and exit at high-security places like military installations, correctional facilities, and airports. Examples of anti-ram gate systems include: - **Cantilever slide gate:** If you have enough space on one side to slide the gate open horizontally, the cantilever-style gate may be a good choice. It doesn’t require any overhead supports or ground tracks. A cantilever gate is supported by posts installed on one side of the opening and is usually automated. - **Vertical lift gate:** This gate type is raised to allow vehicle entry or exit. It is a more appropriate choice if you do not have enough room off to a side for a slide gate. Lift gates are generally automated. - **Overhead slide gate:** A track system and overhead beam support this gate, which opens by sliding to one side of the roadway. While the track and beam do create an overhead restriction, the gate can permit bus- and tractor trailer-type vehicles to enter. If you’re concerned about space or width, keep in mind that an overhead slide gate requires less space overall than its cantilever counterpart. These gates are usually automated. - **Swing gate:** This gate is most suitable for openings with limited activity that don’t need automation. While automating a swing gate is a possibility, crash-rated models can only open by swinging out toward the unsecured side. Because these gates only swing out, vehicles will need to be set back an adequate distance to allow the swing gate to open. This distance, along with the amount of time needed for a metal swinging gate to open and close again, is a vital factor to consider.

3. Anti-Ram Fences

Fences can also be designed as anti-ram systems. Anti-ram fences are an ideal solution for properties that require an exceptionally high level of security around their perimeters, either because they’re at a higher risk of an attack or their buildings have extremely sensitive information. A common solution involves cable restraints, which are often placed within the fence at bumper height and can be concealed in planting. Bollards or posts hold the cable restraint in place. The combination of the bollard/post foundations and the resistance of the cable itself ensures a crash rating. Various Crash Rated options are available and determined by your threat assessment conducted at the site. Fences with cable systems allow a considerable amount of deflection before the intruding vehicle is stopped, meaning the vehicle can penetrate the perimeter partially before being stopped. How much deflection occurs depends on the distance between the concrete "deadman." (Our system does not utilize a deadman installation.) Site conditions, combined with your threat assessment, will determine the recommended layout of the Anti-Ram Fence installation.

4. Anti-Ram Beams

Think of a drop-arm crash beam like a much stronger version of a barrier you would see at the entrance to a parking garage. It consists of a crash beam, support and pivot assembly, anchoring and locking mechanisms, and cast-in-place concrete buttresses. Crash-rated beams also feature an exceptionally strong steel cable, which connects to the buttresses when the arm is lowered. The arm is lifted and lowered with a pneumatic or hydraulic system or by hand with the help of a counter-balanced arm. Although you can obtain crash-rated drop beams for your property, they tend to perform less effectively than other active barriers.

Protect Your Business With TYMETAL’s Anti-Ram Security Products

TYMETAL is the United States’ leading manufacturer of security gates, providing commercial security gates, correctional gate systems, and many other types of crash barriers. Since our founding in 1985, we’ve helped thousands of customers keep their properties more secure with our cutting-edge security products, which include: - Telescoping gates - Aluminum cantilever slide/roller gates - Swing gates - Crash fences - Crash beams - Crash-rated security gates - Removable and permanent bollards - Vertical lift gates - Pedestrian gates and turnstiles

Customized Gate Design

In addition to our high-quality pedestrian and vehicle gates, we also offer design services and will provide customized specifications and drawings for your project. We aim to give you the best security solution with the greatest lifetime value. Our most up-to-date specifications and drawings are always there for you to view on our site, and an experienced team of specification experts is available to help you with any of your custom project needs.

New York’s Number One Fabrication Partner

As a complement to our gate designing and manufacturing services, we have recently added metal fabrication services to our offerings. As the best fabrication partner in New York, we work with clients throughout the Northeast and beyond, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. TYMETAL’s metal fabrication services include: - Plasma cutting - Laser cutting - Sand Blasting - Robotic welding - Computer numerical control (CNC) bending - CNC machining - Metal painting - AWS Certified Welders If you have any questions about our products or services or would like to learn more, feel free to reach out. You can fill out our online form or call us at 888-978-GATE (4283).

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