Anti Ram Raid Bollards
INTRODUCTION
In response to the escalating threat from terrorism and violent theft, particularly ram-raid attacks, the British Standards Institute (BSI) developed two Publicly Available Specifications (PAS):
PAS 68 – Impact Test Specification for Vehicle Security Barrier Systems
PAS 69 – Guidance for the Selection, Installation, and Use of Vehicle Security Barrier Systems
These specifications are now the benchmark for tested, certified vehicle security barriers (VSBs), such as bollards, road blockers, and high-strength gates, installed to protect vulnerable building access points.
PAS 68: Impact test specifications for vehicle security barrier systems
This specifies a performance classification for vehicle security barriers (VSB) and their foundations when subjected to a horizontal impact. When tested, the VSB system shall bring the vehicle to rest, or redirect an impacting vehicle on the approach side of the barrier.
PAS 68 involves the physical impact testing of perimeter security products at varying speeds with different vehicle types. This ranges from medium size saloon cars to large trucks, measuring the penetration of the load carrying part of the vehicle beyond the barrier. The existence of PAS 68 enables business and organizations to specify assured levels of protection against hostile vehicles, at a level that is in proportion with the risk of attack at their specific site.
Further details relating to PAS 68, including the method of vehicle impact testing and the performance classification codes employed can be found in the document referenced at the end of this Technical Bulletin.
PAS 69: Guidance for the selection, installation and use of vehicle security barrier systems
This document complements PAS 68 providing guidance on the selection, installation, foundations and use of PAS 68 tested security products, taking into account site specific conditions. PAS 69 suggests a maximum gap of 1.2m between the installed, upright faces of successive security products, to ensure that vehicles are prevented from encroaching freely between the barriers.
Whist the main focus of PAS 68 & 69 is on high risk/strategic installations and the threat from terrorism; they nevertheless are commonly employed in deciding on the level of protection required against the risk of ram raid theft.
The guidance within PAS 69 concerning the selection of vehicle barrier systems including, amongst other methods, fixed or retraceable bollards, can be an involved process, which includes classifying the hostile vehicle in terms of type, vehicle weight and impact speed, in order that the desired level of protection proportionate to the risk is achieved. It is not envisaged that Consultants will normally be involved in the specification process, but that this is undertaken by the specialist manufacturers/suppliers of the equipment in conjunction with the Insured.
SURVEY EXPECTATIONS
Risk Engineers should actively evaluate premises for ram-raid exposure, particularly where the following risk indicators exist:
A. High-Risk Occupancies
Retailers (especially jewellery, designer fashion, electronics)
Warehouses of high-theft-attractiveness goods
Motor trade (luxury/vintage vehicles)
ATM installations
B. Risk Evaluation Criteria
Value and attractiveness of contents (including EML)
Geographic vulnerability and crime history
Physical access and frontage characteristics
Anticipated property damage and business interruption
Trigger Threshold:
Unless governed by specific Client Service Instructions, a requirement for anti-ram raid bollards would normally come into contention when dealing with extreme or high hazard commodities as defined elsewhere (Technical Procedure – Specifying Intruder Alarms refers), with a Theft EML >£50,000. However, this is not intended to be prescriptive, but rather is indicated as a guide on which Consultants should make a judgement based on the prevailing circumstances.
Where an ATM is installed, the risk of a ram-raid and subsequent property damage and disruption may be such that anti-ram-raid protection may be required, notwithstanding the fact that the that the ATM and its contents are not included in the policy cover.
Recommended Wording for Risk Improvements
In the event that protection is required, the following revised risk improvement wording is to be employed:
“Subject to Local Authority planning permission (where necessary), the (indicate the feature of the premises requiring protection – e.g., the glazed frontage) is to be protected by anti-ram raid bollards certified to BSI PAS 68: Impact test specification for vehicle security barrier systems, and selected and installed in accordance with BSI PAS 69: Guidance for the selection, installation and use of vehicle security barrier systems”.
Product and Supplier Guidance
To meet PAS 68 and 69 standards, bollards and barriers should be sourced from specialist manufacturers who are members of the Perimeter Security Suppliers Association (PSSA):
ATG Access Ltd. - www.atgaccess.com
Frontier Pitts Ltd. - www.frontierpitts.com
Heald Ltd. - www.heald.uk.com
Marshalls Mono Ltd. (Street Furniture Division) - www.marshalls.co.uk
Inevitably, this approach will exclude a significant number of cheaper grade, untested products, but this is unavoidable. As a rough guide, the cost for the supply and installation of a three-bollard system employing certified products for typical retail premises is circa £3,000 which is around twice the cost of a similar system using heavy duty, but nonetheless, non-certified products which, whilst acting as a deterrent, may not thwart a determined attack. This is consistent with normal RiskSTOP policy of promoting “approved products and services” where they exist.
Existing Installations – Due Diligence
Where bollards or barriers are already installed:
Attempt to verify PAS 68 certification, although this may be challenging unless installed under formal client instruction.
Consider photographic evidence or manufacturer details to assist in identification.
FURTHER REFERENCE
A leading manufacturer of vehicle security barriers, Frontier Pitts Ltd., has published an excellent guide on PAS 68 and impact testing.
SUMMARY
The growing risk of ram-raid attacks and terrorism has led to the development of BSI PAS 68 and PAS 69 as the recognised standards for vehicle security barrier systems. These standards provide a robust, evidence-based framework for the impact testing, selection, and installation of bollards, road blockers, and similar barriers.
While primarily designed for strategic or high-security sites, PAS-certified systems are increasingly relevant to commercial premises with elevated theft exposures, particularly where high-value goods or ATMs are present. Insurance risk engineers should be alerted to ram-raid vulnerabilities and consider recommending certified anti-ram protection where the Theft EML exceeds £50,000, or where site-specific risks warrant enhanced security measures.
Where protection is deemed necessary, equipment must:
Be PAS 68 certified, and
Installed in accordance with PAS 69 by a qualified supplier, ideally a member of the Perimeter Security Suppliers Association (PSSA).
Though certified solutions come at a higher cost, they offer a substantially greater level of protection and align with RiskSTOP's overarching principle of promoting tested and approved security products. Where uncertified bollards exist, every effort should be made to verify their effectiveness and upgrade if necessary.
By integrating this guidance into the site risk assessment process, Consultants contribute directly to the prevention of major theft losses, property damage, and business interruption, reinforcing the value of proactive physical risk control.