Page 26 - Security Today, March 2021
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A Permanent Solutions Temporary barriers serve many customers from a political event to farmers’ market
By Greg Hamm
The trend that has catapulted to the top of the list for vehicle perimeter security is securing temporary events with certified crash equipment that can be installed in only 15 minutes by the customer and simply towed away when the occasion is over – such as protecting farmers’ market shoppers from an errant vehicle or a political event’s spectators from car and truck bombers. Oth- er popular applications for these portable barriers are sporting events and festivals. Security staff can tow them into place on the day the event and provide a safe environment for spectators and employees. At the very apex of this trend is providing a means to defend against terrorist vehicles being used as weapons.
NAVAL AIR STATION-CORPUS CHRISTI’S
KEEPS PROTECTING
On Feb. 14, 2019, a Delta MP5000 portable barrier stopped a stolen Ford Edge crossover SUV at the North Gate of the Naval Air Station - Corpus Christi. The trespasser had driven across the base to escape but crashed into the temporary unit and erupted into flames. The driver was shot and killed.
But that wasn’t the end of the story. Eight months later, on Oct. 7, 2019, the portable barrier again stopped a stolen Dodge Ram pick-up truck at an entrance gate. This stolen car was chased by the local police onto the base. The barrier then impacted the rear of the vehicle, disabling it.
Then, on May 21, 2020, a terrorist tried to speed past a por- table barrier onto the base. The Naval Air Station - Corpus Chris- ti intruder shot at the gate’s base security sailor but struck her bullet-resistant vest. According to the Associated Press, the sailor, who survived, then rolled over and hit the switch that raised the barrier, preventing the terrorist from gaining access to the base.
HOW IT WORKS
The mobile deployable vehicle crash barriers carry an ASTM rat- ing as high as M50, able to stop and disable a 15,000 pound G.V.W. vehicle moving at 50 mph. The mobile, crash barrier can be towed into position by a medium-sized pick-up truck or equivalent and deploys in 15 minutes. Both M30 and M40 rated barriers are also available. It is available in 12-, 16- and 20-foot openings.
Within 15 minutes, the barrier lowers itself into position with built-in hydraulic jacks. The trailer is stored off to the side com- pleting the deployment. To move the barrier, the procedures are simply reversed. Both the operation of the barrier as well as de- ployment and retrieval are push-button controlled.
A standard system includes a battery-operated power unit, re- plenished from either a solar array or multiple local low-voltage sources. Optionally, a hydraulic power unit operated on a locally supplied power or full manual system, or combination, is avail- able. Both the locally powered and battery powered hydraulic pumping unit can be sized to provide pass-through rates suitable for most inspection and identification station requirements.
The barricade operates at rates between 10 to 15 seconds for a full up-down cycle on the standard H4050 12v battery powered HPU. Sustained rates of 40 cycles per hour can be maintained in-
definitely, depending on the recharging methods employed. Delta also offers an upgraded H8050 24v battery powered HPU that allows for cycle rates of 5-7 seconds for a full up/down cycle as well as additional control options and an EFO of 2 seconds. Sus- tained rates on this unit can reach 80 to 100 cycles per hour when plugged into a standard 120/220v power source.
It can be easier to sell or buy portable barriers than permanent barriers. The latter are oftentimes placed into an organization’s real assets budget because they are permanently installed into the ground, becoming part of the property. Such budgets can often create complex purchasing scenarios for a dealer or buyer. However, obtaining por- table barriers is no different than acquiring protective vests for staff or new sets of wrenches for the maintenance department. For one time uses, a lease plan has been created where organizations can simply lease the portable barriers, use them, pack them up and return them.
AT THE ORANGE COUNTY (CALIF.) FAIR
The Orange County Fair (Costa Mesa, Calif.) deploys two portable barriers to protect 1.4 million guests over the event’s 23 day run. In addition, the fair organization also makes the barriers available to a 65,000 attendee pet fair, 45,000 guest tattoo fair and 200 other yearly events that are hosted by the fairgrounds annually.
“The first (portable barrier) was deployed two years ago at our service/employee gate, which also provides access to our fire lane,” said Nick Buffa, director of security and traffic operations, Orange County Fair. “We were concerned with potential vehicle attacks, especially at this gate, which has a 75 meter run-up in which a vehicle can really gain speed. How do you stop that? Plus, we only needed it periodically. After doing nationwide research and reviewing (options), we selected the 16-foot version.”
Of all the compliments Buffa has received from people on his installation, he says that the comment he remembers most was from a 30-year carnival worker who told him, “I’ve never seen a fairground do this for us. I’m always afraid of a car attack.”
Over the last year, Buffa went back to his Board and requested a 20-foot (version) to install at the main gate. Like the other (por- table barrier), it remains in the up-position during fair operations but lies flat at night so that maintenance and service vehicles can easily come and go. He hopes to add more barriers in the future.
“The MP5000 is not the cheapest solution to preventing ve-
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