Why Use Bollards?

bollards in front of walmart

Q: Why use bollards for perimeter security?

A: Bollards are vertical posts that are secured to the ground to create a physical barrier to protect buildings, pedestrians, and other facilities from vehicular intrusion. Many large retailer are placing bollards in front of entrances and exits to reduce the risk of “crash and grab” intrusions and other unwanted physical breeches.  Bollards also protect customers from injury cashed by vehicles. The above photos show examples of bollard placement at retail and government buildings.

bollard examples - why use bollards?

Bollards can be purchased in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials.

Materials: Steel, Concrete, Aluminum

Shapes: Square, round, triangular

Deployment: Fixed, removeable, electric, self deployable (MinuteMan Bollards)

Sizes: 20″ to 60″

Crash Ratings: Engineered, Tested, Certified, Failed, Non-tested

Crash Ratings for Bollards

Q: What are the crash ratings for bollards?

 

A: The ASTM standards have replaced DoD standards as the most common standard for crash-testing gate or barrier systems. All crash tests will now be tested under the ASTM F2656 standard.

THE 3 FACTORS THAT DETERMINE CRASH RATINGS

Three basic factors determine crash test ratings:

 

  1. The weight of the vehicle
  2. The speed at which the vehicle is traveling
  3. The distance the vehicle travels beyond the barrier

The ASTM ratings are judged by the vehicle’s weight and maximum speed on impact with the barrier or crash gate. The P-rating in these standards is the penetration rating described as how far the vehicle will push past the barrier after impact. These are equivalent to the DoD’s L-ratings. 

 

With penetration ratings, the highest-rated barriers will be able to stop vehicles from penetrating in the shortest distance possible. A P-1 rating is the highest level, which denotes that the barrier can stop a vehicle within 3.3 feet of impact or under, P-2 is second at 3.3 feet – 23 feet. The lowest rating is P-3, which encompasses 23.1 feet to 98.4 feet of penetration. 

ASTM F2656 Barrier Crash Ratings

K-RATINGS: OLD METHOD

The Department of Defense (DOD) crash ratings, also known as K-ratings, have been around since 1985 but have been replaced with the updated M ratings that provide more in depth data data.

M-RATINGS: NEW METHOD

The newer M Rating system takes into account a wider range of vehicle weights, speeds and penetration distances than the previous K Rating.

Using standards from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), ASTM crash ratings are different because they’re based on how far a vehicle’s payload travels beyond a barrier, rather than its front. Like K-ratings, M-ratings are based on vehicle size, speed and travel distance.

M-ratings are also divided into P1, P2, P3 and P4 classifications, based on how far the vehicle traveled beyond the barrier:

  • P1 rating: A vehicle traveled 3.3 feet or less beyond the barrier.
  • P2 rating: A vehicle traveled between 3.31 and 23 feet.
  • P3 rating: A vehicle traveled between 23.1 and 98.4 feet.
  • P4 rating: A vehicle traveled farther than 98.4 feet.

 

Examples of ASTM’s crash barrier ratings:

Vehicle Type Weight – up to. Penetration rating at specific speed. The number refers to vehicle speed in MPH. 
Small Car (SC) 2,430 lbs. / 1102 Kg

SC30 (50 kph)

SC40 (65 kph)

SC50 (80 kph)

SC60 (95 kph)

Full Size Sedan (FS) 4,630 lbs. / 2100 Kg

FS30

FS40

FS50

FS60

Pickup Truck (PU) 5,070 lbs. / 2300 Kg

PU30

PU40

PU50

PU60

Medium Goods Vehicle (M) 15,000 lbs. / 6800 Kg

M30

M40

M50

Heavy Goods Vehicle (H) 65,000 lbs / 26500 Kg

H30

H40

H50

ASTM penetration levels:

P1 Penetration up to 3.3 feet (1 m.)
P2 Penetration up to 23 feet (7 m.)
P3 Penetration up to 98 feet (30 m.)
P4 Penetration greater than 98 feet (30 m.)

Shallow-Mount Vehicle Barrier

 

Q: What is a shallow-mount barrier?

 

A: A shallow mount barrier is any type of vehicle crash barrier that is installed in a shallow footing, thus helping avoid disrupting utilities and other underground obstructions. Shallow mount barriers often require a larger surface footprint to accomplish the desired crash rating, which alleviates the need to excavate too deep. Shallow mount barrier options include drop-arm, bollard, wedge and beam gate barriers.

beam barrier

AutoGate pivot gates make several shallow mount beam/gate barriers that are attracting customers in the defense and government sectors. K12 Defense is authorized to install and maintain shallow-mount barriers globally for most manufacturers. Call (480) 898-1272 for a complete list of shallow-mount vehicle barriers with and without crash test ratings.

Traditional “deep-mount” bollards require excavation and trenching, which can be costly and time-consuming. Furthermore, pipes and utilities below grade may also prevent the installation of deep sub-surface bollards and barriers. 

Unlike other types or classes of bollards, “shallow-mounts” are designed to be installed directly at or close to the surface. Impact protection bollards, which are usually installed three or more feet deep into the substrate, can now be replaced with shallow-mount options which utilize a rebar cage and concrete to offset the depth. Shallow mounts can be installed on a flat plate or ‘biscuit’ that’s connected to another bollard or barriers.  Keep in mind that shallow mount barriers only require a fraction of the required depth, with requirements ranging from 2 feet to 2 inches! Contact K12 today for more information.

Surface Mount Tire Spike Barrier

Q: What is a surface mount tire spike barrier?

 

A: Surface mount tire spike or tire shredder barriers are designed to arrest wrong way drivers and keep unauthorized vehicles from entering a secure area or parking lot. A surface mount tire or vehicle spike barrier uses teeth to puncture tires and deter gate runners and other vehicular threats. Often called tire shredders or tiger teeth barriers, these barriers can be either surface mounted (which avoids trenching and disturbing utilities), or flush mount (below ground) which creates a smoother driving surface for better traffic flow.

tire spike surface mount barrier

Manual, one-way spike systems utilize a spring loaded surface mechanism to deter vehicles from driving the wrong way or entering unauthorized areas. More sophisticated systems are mounted in the ground and require electric or hydraulic activation. Customers seeking a robust surface mount tire spike barrier can contact K12 Defense for pricing and availability. K12 Defense is also certified to repair and install a wide range of configurations and models from many manufacturers. CALL (480) 898-1272 for a no obligation estimate.

Surface Mount Drop-Arm Barriers

Q: What is a surface mount drop-arm barrier?

A: A surface mount drop-arm barrier is similar to a beam barrier in that it is attached to the surface of the roadway and usually does not require much trenching or subsurface ground work. Surface mount drop-arm barriers are for above ground protection with an arm that lifts from vertical to horizontal. Drop arm barriers also provide a solution where there is a limited amount of space on either side of the roadway. In some configurations, surface mount drop-arm barriers can swing horizontally to open and close off roadways.

Basic Traffic Arm Barrier
M50-crash-arm
M50 Crash Tested Drop Arm

 

Drop arm or swing barriers can also be purchased in a variety of lengths, helping to avoid digging into the roadway and disturbing underground utilities. K12 Defense manufactures and has been installing surface mount drop-arm barriers across the country and globe for military, government and private industry to protect roadways and increase perimeter security.

 

Those desiring to move away from a hydraulic drop-arm barrier configuration, can have their barrier(s) converted to electric with a  K12 Defense electro-mechanical retrofit, which will leave the barrier crash rating intact and remove the mess and hassle of dealing with hydraulic leaks and breaks. Contact K12 Defense for all you surface mount drop-arm barrier needs. CALL (480) 898-1272

Surface Mount Beam Barrier

 

Q: What is a surface mount beam barrier?

 

A surface mount beam barrier is made of reinforced steel and works much like a foundation beam barrier that uses vertical or horizontal actuation to move the beam into place for stopping traffic. Surface mount beam barriers are mounted to a subsurface foundation to keep them secure, and are ideal for government facilities, military bases, airports, and public facilities requiring crash protection at vulnerable locations.  Most surface mount beam barriers move up and down, but alternative options move horizontal such as on a gate or fence. Surface mount beam barriers are most often used for controlling traffic and protecting vulnerable roadways from breaches. Customers requiring repairs to an existing surface mounted beam barrier can contact K12 Defense to explore options for repair, electro-mechanical retrofit or replacement.

beam-gate-barrier
swing-beam-barrier-surface-mount

K12 Defense Consultants are certified resellers / installers for AutoGate crash beam barriers and Barrier1 Pivot beam surface mount barriers. Both manufacturer M50 crash tested beam barriers that are highly effective at stopping large trucks and attack vehicles. (see crash rating guidelines below).

Surface Mount Wedge Barriers

Q: What is a surface mount wedge barrier? 

A: A surface mount wedge barrier, when in the up position, forms a wedge shape to block oncoming traffic from entering or exiting a desired location. Surface mount wedge barriers either mount to the surface of the roadway or can be lowered into position with a trailer (often referred to as a mobile wedge barrier).  Surface mounted wedge barriers are very effective for stopping gate runners and locking down entry/exit points against terrorist attacks. Mobile wedge barriers set on the surface of the roadway are quick to install. Mobile surface mount wedge barriers are often used in parking structure ramps or areas with sub-surface drainage problems where an inground barrier would be problematic. 

These surface mount barricades are lowered to allow passage of authorized vehicles and are available in widths up to 20 feet. Ideal for providing high security vehicle access control for airports, corporate offices, banks, city and federal government offices, museums, oil refineries, factories and railway stations where vehicle access control is paramount. 

Customers seeking repairs to existing surface mount wedge barriers can contact K12 Defense Solutions for options, including upgrades to electric actuators and/or removal of hydraulic components prone to costly breakdowns. Call (480) 898-1272 for more information.

Surface Mount Bollards

Q: What is a surface mount bollard? 
A: Surface mount bollards are pipes with a base plate that are mounted to the roadway asphalt or concrete surface. Typically used in parking lots and building entrances, these bollards are not designed to stop vehicles or avoid ant-ram incidents. Surface mount bollards are used for architectural purposes or to act as a visual (not physical) deterrent for vehicles. 
surface mount bollards
SURFACE MOUNT BOLLARDS
surface mount bollards

Facility or property managers requiring a more robust barrier, designed to physically stop a vehicle from breaching unauthorized areas, should consider a crash rated fixed bollard or MinuteMan retractable bollard barrier system.

Removable Bollard Barriers

Q: What is a removable bollard barrier? 
A: A removable bollard barrier is a post, typically made of steel, that can be removed for traffic ingress and egress. Crash rated removable bollard barriers are very heavy and typically require a forklift for removal. More convenient removable bollard configurations are available that retract into the ground. These barriers thus avoid the need for electricity, hydraulics or machinery. The MinuteMan manually retractable bollard barrier system is a patented retractable barrier that requires no electricity or machinery for deployment. Available in a variety of configurations, MinuteMan Bollards are deployable in seconds with the push of a finger.

1200-MRB Manually Retractable Bollards

The Minuteman 2-bollard array is a unique, patented, vehicular barrier system that is precisely counterbalanced and fully deployable in less than a minute with the push of a finger. Each bollard weighs over 350 lbs and can be moved into the up or down position in seconds without the assistance of forklifts or machinery. Bollards are positioned 4 feet apart (on center) and 34.5” above grade (with sleeve). This flush, in-ground, rebar reinforced barrier system, is hot dipped galvanized and 100% manually deployable – No tripping hazards, no holes to cover, no power or controls required. Includes pre-fabricated and threaded rebar kit for use at time of installation. Optional sump pump and decorate sleeves available upon request. With a robust locking mechanism, bollards are always secure in the up or down position. Sealed bearings and effective drainage, assure minimal maintenance.

manually retractable bollards
MinuteMan In-Ground Retractable Bollards
traffic bollards manual deployment

Enforcer Anti-Ram Mobile Barrier

The Enforcer Anti-Ram Mobile Barrier (1350RVB) is a 10 foot Jersey style barrier made of reinforced steel and is 100% manually deployable with retractable wheels (no forklift or machinery required). Once in place, wheels can be raised within seconds, to secure barrier @ desired location. With its adjustable drop deck (tilt) trailer and 3 degree slope, barriers can be easily loaded and unloaded by one or two people. 

The Enforcer rolling vehicular barrier is the most affordable (per linear foot) anti-ram defender on the market. As a result, it’s ideal for events and road closures. Designed for emergency response and access control – providing crash barrier protection for people, construction zones and facilities. Barriers can be locked together in long sections, or separated to create walkways and drive paths for pedestrians. 

Each trailer can hold up to 6 Enforcer barriers, providing 60 feet of rapidly deployable continuous protection. The 1350RVB barrier weighs approximately 1350 lbs each. Enforcer can be moved by one person, including opening and closing of lanes or repositioning on the roadway. Each barrier is 37″ tall and 10′ long.

rolling mobile crash barrier
enforcer mobile rolling barrier
The Enforcer Anti-Ram Mobile Barrier / 1350 Pounds of Reinforced American Steel. Trailer package includes 26' drop deck trailer and six (6) Enforcer Mobile Crash Barriers. Rapid Deployment - Effortless Setup! Call (480) 898-1272.