Vehicle Barrier FAQ

What is an Anti-Terrorism Crash Barrier System?

A barrier meant to stop, disable, or destroy vehicles intentionally driven into the perimeter of a protected area. These barriers may be active (movable at the push of a button) or static (permanently in a vehicle-stopping posture) and be located at gate entrances or along perimeters between vehicle access points.

Are Crash Barriers ever attacked?

Several notable attacks in the past few years involving airports, military, and oil refinery installations have been stopped partially or completely by vehicle barriers designed to deter a terroristic attack. Other instances of malicious intent involving disgruntled employees, drunk drivers, etc. have been stopped by crash barriers as well. Many smaller instances of non-terroristic attacks have been stopped which were a threat to the facilities protected even though there was no terroristic intent. Some areas with large perimeters and significant traffic are hit annually or more often due to uncontrolled vehicles that may not be intentional attacks, they are still dangerous due to their unpredictability.

What Type of Crash-Rated System Do You Need?

AVB= Active Vehicle Barrier

1. Utilized for active vehicle entrances, sally ports, unmanned entrances
2. Wedges, bollards, sliding, rising or pivoting horizontal beams, integrated into gates etc.
3. Hydraulically, electrically, pneumatically, or manually operated
4. May be surface-mounted, shallow-mounted, or standard depth installation

What does it take to install a Crash-Rate Barrier?

We can help you select, procure, design, install, and maintain your vehicle barriers, regardless of your situation and location(s). There are a tremendous variety of systems currently on the market with new companies and products being introduced constantly. Sloan Security Group keeps a close watch on these new technologies and can help you select from amongst all of the options available. Our experience designing and installing a vehicle barriers across North America at a wide range of facilities including chemical/oil/gas, port, airport, and military facilities helps us to analyze your individual situation and ascertain which barrier solution will be most secure, cost-effective, and maintenance free solution for your situation.

Can Guard Rails be used as a Crash Barrier?

Guard rails are crash rated but not for a perpendicular attack. Guard-rails (cable, steel, and concrete jersey-type) are only tested at a 15 degree approach angle commonly found in traffic situations. These systems typically fail when hit intentionally by vehicles.

What is the difference between a Crash-Rated and Crash-Engineered system?

This is an important question that must be answered before you get too far into your selection process. The definitions of these terms is found below and ensures that you have a good base understanding before you go further.

What are Standard Crash-Rated Barriers?

Barriers which have been certified by a rating agency as having passed a full field crash test where a particular barrier is certified to stop the attack of a particular vehicle traveling at a certain speed within a strict set of guidelines. This rating does not serve as a guarantee but only as evidence of capabilities.

What are Modified Crash-Rated Barriers?

Crash-Rated Barriers which need to be changed in some minor way to fit a particular site’s characteristics. The changes to the barriers should be carefully analyzed to ensure that the barrier’s effectiveness will not be affected by the changes.

What are Crash-Engineered Barriers?

Barriers which have been engineered by a particular entity to stop the attack of a particular vehicle traveling at a certain speed within a strict set of guidelines. No field testing has been performed on these barriers however. These barriers are less favorable and should only be utilized when there is no equivalent Standard or Modified Crash-Rated Barrier available.

Why are Crash-Rated and Crash-Engineered Barriers important?

• Both crash-rated and crash-engineered and crash-rated barriers are engineered but even with modeling programs and extensive engineering expense, crash tests often fail.
• There are companies that may have one or two products that are crash-rated but offer a dozen or more “crash-rated products”
• Companies must be pushed to explain precisely what, if any, engineering or crash testing has been performed to give the buyer a clear view of what they are getting for their investment