ADVICE & OPINION
PROTECT FORCE
FMJ AIMS TO SUPPORT TECHNICAL EXPERTISE IN THE FM MARKET
Hostile Vehicle Management (HVM) is a critical consideration for FMs looking to
protect their property and more importantly their people, says Richard Winstanley
of Bft Automation
While the terror attacks of the
last five years, both home and
abroad, have been displaced in the
headlines by the latest pandemic
threat, facilities managers must
continue to make this a primary
focus of their security strategy.
The terror threat in the UK remains
‘Substantial’, meaning an attack is
likely.
Sadly, hostile vehicles are now
a necessary consideration for any
facilities, property and security manager
working to protect their assets and
more importantly, their people. A recent
consultation in the historic city of Bath,
frames a number of considerations that
FMs need to make when designing their
HVM strategy.
World Heritage Site Bath is rich in
historic and cultural buildings – the
beautifully preserved roman baths
sit alongside pristine Georgian
architecture, providing a huge attraction
for tourists, not least since Netflix aired
its global hit Bridgerton.
Bath undertook a consultation on
how best to protect the city, in the case
of physical threat and asked for views
on a proposal by the Council & Police
to provide appropriately improved
16 APRIL 2021
security whilst continuing to allow the
city’s businesses and service providers
a viable, level of vehicle access. The
questions this raised are relevant across
the board and should be part of wider
discussions around HVM.
PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY
PROTECTION?
It is important to be clear about whether
the HVM is temporary - perhaps for an
event - or (as in Bath’s case) permanent
fixture to protect a city or property at all
times. Temporary measures are oΠen
best resolved with surface mounted
products, but more permanent features
would usually require ground works,
including foundations into the ground
where they are placed.
There are numerous permanent
solutions which range from automatic
bollards, static columns and barriers.
And the aesthetic can be designed to
suit the location. A permanent static
barrier, for example, could appear as a
planter, or a bench clad in a material
that will blend with surroundings. This
is an important consideration in a
city like Bath which prides itself on its
appearance and architectural heritage.
It’s worth noting, however, that
concrete blocks, planters, Jersey
Barriers and low concrete walls
are all able to secure access points
e’ ectively but they’re di’ icult to
install and move. AΠer installation,
they can no longer be moved without
the use of a crane and specialised
personnel which will result in higher
costs and more time.
What’s more, if rammed by a truck
travelling at more than 30 mph,
conventional barriers will slow the
vehicle, but could still be displaced
beyond the point of impact and may
still strike any persons present in the
immediate vicinity.
The simplest and most versatile
solution is to install anti-terrorism
bollards, both fixed and retractable.
These can adapt to the needs of the
local administration by preserving the
appearance of the environment, while
providing safety in the case of impact
at speeds of up to 50 mph.
BALANCING ACT
Online HVM resource centre ‘HVM Hub’
talks of the need to avoid a “fortress
mentality”, particularly in city centres.
In tourist centres, the atmosphere
needs to remain welcoming for
visitors and residents alike. However,
there must be a balance between
suitable protection and creating a
system that is not obvious to those
wishing to exploit weaknesses in the
city’s security.
Think protection, safety, aesthetics.
While barriers are designed to keep
hostile vehicles out, we must also
consider the need to allow emergency
vehicles in, should the need arise.
This is where a solution such as
retractable bollards will come into
play, with vehicle access control built
in for emergency and operational
vehicles. This solution o’ ers flexibility
to accommodate temporary changes in
tra’ ic flow or events.
SITE ASSESSMENT AND
MANAGEMENT
At the outset of the process, FMs will
need to conduct a full site assessment
– an investigation of the local
environment, the potential blast stando
’ perimeter, any tra’ ic management in
place and parking considerations. This
applies whether the FM is managing a
single building or working as part of a
team to protect a town precinct.
There are a number of stakeholders
who will need to be involved – in
the case of Bath it’s a full public
consultation. At the very minimum,
a smaller scale project will need
to involve the property occupants,
management, security team and
specialist installers to fully understand
their needs and priorities.
TRAFFIC FLOW
To supplement the installation of any
kind of physical barrier – whether this
is to protect a warehouse, a hospital or
a cultural centre – consider how tra’ ic
currently flows around the location and
whether this can be reviewed to keep
vehicles further away from the property.
Vehicles approaching the property
will need an area of ‘run up’ in order to
build up speed. If this is denied to them,
by the very nature of the road layout,
the risk to life and of damage caused to
property is reduced.
Considerations for HVM are an
essential part of any e’ ective security
strategy. Facilities managers will play
an important role in shaping these
strategies in the near and longer term.
By considering the needs of the present,
while keeping an eye to the future, FMs
can take every precaution to protect
their property and people from threat.
FAST FACTS