Page 38 - the SyI Quarterly 15

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Exploring the Benefits of HVM

Barriers: Are Simple Concrete Blocks

Insufficient?

by Alexander Pelletier

When it comes to the security of events or any public areas, the use of anti-hostile vehicle
migration barriers is no longer a rare sight.

It has been for the last decade that these barriers are more and more being selected to protect
neuralgic areas in the public or military field, however, this might raise the question as to how
this is any different than the usage of, for example, Concrete blocks or any other non-certified
barrier.

The factor behind the increasing demand for the protection of neuralgic areas comes from
a streak of recent unfortunate events where vehicles have been used in terroristic attacks
or tragic accidents all around the world. A solution to this problem was that security concept
writers started using jersey elements to protect people from hostile migration.

However, these Concrete blocks, which are neither certified nor provide any protection to the
public which, upon impact, actually turn into projectiles that pose as much of a danger as the
vehicle itself, this has been proven by numerous collision tests, including one conducted by
MDR (Germany), which can be found on YouTube.

Certified mobile barriers are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing security systems
and protocols. They undergo compatibility testing to ensure smooth integration with access
control systems, surveillance technology, and emergency response plans. Non-certified
barriers may lack this compatibility, resulting in operational inefficiencies and potential
vulnerabilities in the security infrastructure. The use of certified barriers ensures a consistent
and comprehensive security approach, enhancing overall safety and protection.

To call an HVM barrier certified, it has to have passed one or more of a number of tests;
examples are the IWA14, PAS68, ASTM, and DIN SPEC. These are just a few of the many tests
out there, showing that the market has evolved more than enough to assure safety in public
areas without the use of uncertified barriers.

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