E3335 (version 25)

1.1 This guide is intended to be used by facility owners, military commanders, security personnel, planners, specifiers, designers, and engineers in the selection and application of vehicle security barrier systems for entry control facilities (ECFs), access control points (ACPs), or other locations at the perimeter of protected areas through which vehicles may pass.

1.1.1 Vehicle barriers are primarily used as one of many elements that define perimeters that require a final denial barrier to be provided for certain restricted areas. In this guide, the focus is on the design, selection, installation, and application of vehicle security barriers.

1.1.2 Technical information considered generally known or readily available in existing references (such as, U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Unified Facility Criteria (UFC), military handbooks, and technical manuals) is not included.

1.2 Vehicle security barriers are categorized as either active or passive.

1.2.1 Active and passive barriers can be fixed or movable depending on how they are made, operated, or used. Some commercial barriers are dual classified when they meet the requirements for both categories (for example, fixed-active, portable-passive).

1.3 For DoD installations, this guide should be used in conjunction and coordination with UFC 4-020-01, UFC 4-022-01, and UFC 4-022-03 to guide the user through a selection process for establishing a protective barrier system around installations and designated restricted areas within the installation.

1.4 For facility applications other than DoD, it may be necessary to investigate owner requirements, applicable code restrictions, or other pertinent resources to ensure that barrier selection and application meets owner needs.

1.5 The primary issues to be considered during the selection and application of a vehicle barrier include:

1.5.1 Threat Analysis—Refer to UFC 4-020-01 or other appropriate threat assessment guidance applicable to the particular installation or site for procedures to assist with quantifying and qualifying all potential threats, including the “moving” vehicle bomb threat, necessary for the determination of the appropriate vehicle barrier for a given location.

1.5.2 Performance—An appropriate/acceptable level of protection (both for personnel and property) and operating capabilities should be defined by the installation commander or owner.

1.5.3 Access Control Measures—Physical controls, operating procedures, and hardware and software features used in various combinations to allow, detect, or prevent access.

1.5.4 Requirements—This standard is a guide, so specific requirements for vehicle barriers to be used will be determined during the selection and application process that is performed by the user of this guide. Appropriate standoff distance to maintain a level of protection compatible with operational needs; barrier systems to stop the threat vehicle; barrier reliability and maintainability; safety, sabotage and malfunction protection; and cost effectiveness should be considered during selection, design, and application of vehicle barrier systems.

1.5.5 Liabilities and potential liability effects on the decision to protect assets against the effects of a terrorist act.

1.5.6 Cost—Security expenditures are based on the value of the asset to be protected and the importance of the asset. For protection against vehicle bombs, the potential loss of human life generally drives the cost of security, overriding the value of the property to be protected.

1.5.7 Environmental and Resilience—Vehicle barriers are generally located in exterior environments and are exposed to conditions and substances that cannot be fully controlled, so the barrier materials must be suitable for installation in the presence of such conditions. For example, critical metal parts may corrode over time, so critical components should be either manufactured of material that will not corrode or they should be protected from such corrosive effects to ensure adequate service life. When designing or specifying vehicle barrier systems, designers and specifiers should consult available information regarding suitability of the materials being considered for use and the environment that the materials will be exposed. Additional information regarding corrosion suitability of selected materials can be found from a number of sources, such as American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and others.

1.5.8 Anticipated Collision Damage, Repair or Replacement Times—Damage from an explosive event is not considered to be practical to anticipate prior to an event due to the uncertain and highly variable nature of such an occurrence, and explosive damage analysis is beyond the scope of this guide. However, there may be information available to estimate effects of a vehicle impact to the barrier, and the amount of time and costs that may be needed to repair or replace a barrier in the event that it is damaged from such impact. In the event that a vehicle barrier is damaged by impact from a vehicle, the estimated repair or replacement cost and time predicted to make such repairs or replacement should be considered in the barrier selection decisions.

1.6 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.