Pros and Cons of Barriers

Which is “greener” is not an open-and-shut case

When specifying the vehicle access control system needed to stop a truck-bomber, errant driver or vehicle that is not authorized to enter your facility, you have to decide among bollards, barriers or barricades. Once you have decided the type you will use, you then must specify which model. Finally, you need to select the type of power unit you are going to deploy as going green is important to many companies and organizations worldwide who are trying to minimize their carbon footprints.

The two most popular choices are the hydraulic and electro-mechanical power units. How do you decide which to use? The following should help.

Plusses and Minuses of Hydraulic

The hydraulic controller is the workhorse of the industry. This unit is typically mounted remotely from the barrier(s) and attached to them by hoses or steel pipes buried underground. It is powered from a local single or three-phase power source.

Buried lines. A big plus is that while hydraulic lines are buried, the motors are kept above ground (“above grade” in contractor parlance); therefore, there are fewer environmental problems than with an electro-mechanical motor, which is placed below ground. With a hydraulic controller, there are no problems of a motor sitting in a pool of water or being swallowed by mud.

Stronger forces. The hydraulic power unit is stronger, with forces generated in the range of 20,000 to 25,000 pounds. An industrial-grade electric motor drives the hydraulic gear pump to produce the hydraulic power unit system pressure. If a normal-sized car ends up on top of the barrier while in operation, the barrier will continue to rise and pick up the vehicle. This is a very effective deterrent at times, when vehicles decide to run the barrier or tailgate the vehicle in front of them.

Reliability. Hydraulic controllers are reliable and there are few maintenance issues when installed properly. The biggest complaint about them comes from environmentalists and organizations with a green initiative. However, petroleum-based oil does not need to be a concern. Instead, customers can simply substitute biodegradable oils, usually derived from cooking oils. In fact, more than 50 hydraulic barrier, barricade, bollard and crash gate designs can be run manually or on FDAapproved vegetable oils.

Temperature. Cold can be a problem with hydraulic power units in locales with frigid weather because oil can become thick; however, this is easily solved at the time of installation by adding heaters to maintain proper oil viscosity. Depending on the hydraulic power unit size and rating, such heaters will range from 60 to 500 watts at 120/240 volts for oil reservoirs. Of course, the hydraulic hoses to the barriers should be run below the frost line, where temperatures are a relatively constant 45 to 55ºF. If desired, the ducts carrying these hoses can be heat traced at the time of installation, as well.

Barrier installations, in areas where the temperatures are frequently above 100ºF, typically are equipped with oil coolers or have their hydraulic power units located inside temperature-controlled equipment rooms.

Plusses and Minuses of Electro-mechanical

There are some unique locations where the application may not lend itself to hydraulic units. As mentioned, for environmental reasons, some locations won’t allow oil or wish to use a bio-degradable substitution. In other cases, the application simply demands a simpler, less complex solution. These locations use the electro-mechanical option.

Variable speeds. With an electro-mechanical unit, the customer can produce variable speeds, having more control over the rapidity of how quickly the ramp or bollard rises. For instance, many users like to initially raise the ramp or bollard quickly and slow down near the end, which is easier on the system. The electricalmechanical unit is also quieter than the hydraulic alternative.

Maintenance. Most security professionals find the electro-mechanical unit minimally easier to maintain, although that slight difference is rarely given for choosing one over the other.

Temperature. Electro-mechanical units handle all temperatures without problems.

Below ground. The biggest negative for electro-mechanical units is that they are buried below ground (“below grade”) because they can become submersed in water or mud, creating a major maintenance problem. Therefore, when selecting an electro-mechanical power unit, it is imperative that the contractor create good drainage at the time of installation. Care should be taken to mount the barrier in an area that is not subject to flooding. Additionally, the roadway should be crowned in the area of the barrier to prevent standing water from draining into the barrier’s foundation frame.

Power usage and draw. Electro-mechanical units require at least 220v/single phase power and draw approximately 20 amps. This is typically 12-15 more amps
of power than what the hydraulic power units draw, bringing into question whether
they are greener than hydraulic units.

When planning to install a bollard, barrier or barricade, don’t treat the choice
of your power unit lightly. If you don’t understand something,
ask; then ask again, if needed. And, always work with a contractor
who is experienced with this type of equipment, asking your
manufacturer for suggestions.

This article originally appeared in the November 2014 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services
  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

  • Report: Nearly 1 in 5 Healthcare Leaders Say Cyberattacks Have Impacted Patient Care

    Omega Systems, a provider of managed IT and security services, today released new research that reveals the growing impact of cybersecurity challenges on leading healthcare organizations and patient safety. According to the 2025 Healthcare IT Landscape Report, 19% of healthcare leaders say a cyberattack has already disrupted patient care, and more than half (52%) believe a fatal cyber-related incident is inevitable within the next five years. Read Now

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities