How Building Protection Bollards Improve Public Building Aesthetic
It’s an unfortunate reality that terrorist attacks, both in the United States and abroad, have turned motor vehicles into weapons. These attacks have involved cars and trucks barrelling into large crowds, pedestrian areas, and college campuses. Many other targets, such as sports stadiums, community centers, and government buildings, could see a vehicular attack. In order to treat the threat of these attacks seriously, companies and event organizers should consider utilizing building protection bollards.
How Can a Vehicle Be Used as a Weapon?
One way of weaponizing a vehicle is to fill it with explosives and then park it as close to the targeted building as possible. This was the technique used by Timothy McVeigh and his co-conspirators during the attack on the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995. It still has the potential to cause devastation.
However, since 2010, it has become more common for terrorists to forgo the explosives and use vehicles to simply run over civilians. Increased incidents of this nature seem to relate back to an article in a magazine published by al-Qaeda titled “The Ultimate Mowing Machine.” However, not all vehicle attacks of this nature are the work of Muslim extremists. The attack on anti-racist counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017 involved an alleged white nationalist in a sedan.
Self-driving cars is one solution offered to prevent the use of vehicles as a weapon. Though the goal is fewer motor vehicle accidents by eliminating driver error, automated cars have to be highly computerized, which could make them vulnerable to hackers. A terrorist could load a car with explosives and send it to a target by remote control or, more frighteningly, take control of vehicles on the road and drive them into targets, perhaps with terrified passengers still inside.
What Are the Safety Requirements for Safety Bollards?
Review your building and location to determine the best sites for safety bollard installation. In some situations, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires the installation of safety bollards. Work with our team at Delta Scientific to make sure your building protection bollards are not only rated to protect against a vehicle crash but also designed with the safety of your property and nearby pedestrians in mind.
At Delta Scientific, all of our bollards are designed to meet or exceed OSHA safety requirements. Work with our team to identify the proper security bollard for your situation. Be sure you identify proper installation procedures to ensure your bollards provide the protection you need, otherwise a bollard may not sufficiently slow down a vehicle intending to be used in an attack.
What Are the Advantages of High-Security Bollards?
There are many ways to secure a property from the threat of vehicle attacks. While gates and other barriers can be effective, building bollards offer a balance of minimal obstruction and efficient protection.
At only 39.3 inches high and 13.25 inches in diameter, building protection bollards are less obtrusive than many high-security barriers. Nevertheless, they are effective at protecting buildings and pedestrians from vehicle attacks. At a minimum, our security bollards meet certifications set by the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as the State Department.
Another advantage of Delta Scientific bollards is that you can customize them to fit the design aesthetics of your building. Security barriers can sometimes disrupt this aesthetic, which can affect the feelings of people who frequent these areas for work or recreation, causing them to feel threatened or uneasy. High-security bollards from Delta Scientific can preserve a building’s existing aesthetic while providing effective protection against vehicle attacks. We offer cast covers that slip easily over the crash tube in a variety of materials:
- Brushed stainless steel
- Fiberglass
- Aluminum
Our bollards are also available with a rolled bronze plaque featuring your organization’s logo that can be mounted on the body of the bollard. We also offer internal warning lights for our crash-rated bollards. These options continue to blend visibility, professional aesthetic, and high-performance protection. Feel free to discuss these and other customization options with our team to offer the best protection with minimal disruption to your building and the surrounding area.
Do You Need Planning Permission to Install Bollards?
Check with your local municipality for specific instructions on permit requirements for your bollards, as you’ll likely need permission for installation around a public building. In general, building protection bollards may be installed on private property without any prior permission provided in the United States and the United Kingdom.
When in doubt, reach out to ensure you have the proper permissions. Because bollards can be used to obstruct traffic, care should be taken when installing them near areas of traffic, shared property lines, or areas where you may need to occasionally travel with a vehicle. Consider removable or retractable bollards in situations where you need to provide situational access to a road or pedestrian area.
What If Deep Excavation Is Not Possible?
On an existing property, it may not be possible to excavate down to the four feet required for many bollard installations. Local code and physical restraints may make it difficult to identify the best way to install a bollard.
Fortunately, Delta Scientific also offers shallow foundation bollards. These require a foundation of only 12 to 14 inches deep but can stop a 15,000-pound vehicle traveling up to 50 miles per hour. In some instances, the penetration of the vehicle is less than 39 inches, or one meter, from the point of impact. Always consult a local organization or municipality before excavation. Buried utilities must be clearly marked before your excavation and bollard installation process can start.
How Can Delta Scientific Building Protection Bollards Help?
Your building deserves a thorough safety plan to prevent a vehicle accident or terrorist incident. Whether you’re reviewing your existing protective devices or are considering installing bollards for the first, our team at Delta Scientific can help you reach your goals. Contact us to learn more about our building protection bollards. Work with our team to identify ways to secure your building from vehicular danger.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2017/03/22/world/vehicles-as-weapons/index.html
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-08-05/when-a-car-becomes-a-weapon
https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/oklahoma-city-bombing
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!