The new vehicle bollard system provides defence against attack from vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) and is highly effective in providing robust perimeter protection that can be quickly installed around security-sensitive Government and commercial sites, airports and other transport hubs (and at crowded places such as shopping centres, sports arenas and visitor attractions).
The ‘National Security Strategy of the United Kingdom: Security in an Interdependent World’ highlights the very real need to safeguard public and property from an evolving terrorist threat. The strategy reinforces the need to “protect the United Kingdom and its interests, enabling its people to go about their daily lives freely and with confidence in a more secure, stable, just and prosperous world”: providing a comprehensive framework that Britain will adopt to meet the security challenges of today’s world.
Dual core system elements
The Bi-Steel bollard system consists of two elements. First, a foundation unit comprising a reduced depth Bi-Steel panel, with an extended steel stabilising arm to provide maximum impact resistance. Second, the vertical steel bollard itself, which is fixed into a slot in the Bi-Steel panel. The system has been successfully tested in accordance with PAS 68:2007 (the classification system for the performance of vehicle security barriers and their supporting foundations when subjected to a single horizontal impact).
The unique feature of the Bi-Steel bollard system is that it has been designed to be installed in an extremely narrow and shallow foundation trench. This requires less than 40% of the groundwork excavation compared with a PAS 68 reinforced concrete foundation, meaning that the need for end users’ installers to reroute local under-surface utilities is minimised. This considerably reduces the time taken to install the Bi-Steel bollard system, thereby minimising disruption and enhancing cost-effectiveness.
Installation into the narrow, shallow trench is quick and easy. First of all, the Bi-Steel foundation unit is lowered into position, levelled and concreted in, then the bollard is inserted into a slot in the Bi-Steel panel and grouted. The whole operation can be carried out far more quickly than traditional methods.
Different styles of bollard
The Bi-Steel bollard foundation units can accept different styles of bollard, ranging from modern steel cylindrical bollards to more old fashioned rectangular bollards suited to streetscapes where traditional architecture is predominant. These visual and architectural considerations enable subtle protection that blends aesthetically with the local environment.
The first installation of the new system took place recently in central London where it is helping to provide perimeter protection at a location where the very highest levels of security are in place.
More about Bi-Steel and Corus
Bii-Steel is a Corus-patented steel/concrete material that comprises two steel plates connected together by friction welded bars to form panels. These panels are filled with ready-mixed concrete to create a high performance construction that offers unrivalled blast resistance.
Corus is Europe’s second largest steel producer with annual revenues of over GB pound 11 billion and a crude steel production of about 20 million tonnes. With main steelmaking operations primarily in the UK and the Netherlands, Corus provides innovative solutions to the construction, automotive, packaging, mechanical engineering and other markets worldwide.
Corus is a subsidiary of Tata Steel, the world’s sixth largest steel producer. With the recent acquisition of Corus, the combined enterprise has an aggregate crude steel production capacity of around 28.1 million tonnes with approximately 82,700 employees across the four continents.
