Jonathan Goss, pictured, managing director of integrated perimeter security and street furniture manufacturer, Townscape Products, discusses how security and design can combine to provide subtle, yet robust, protection for airports.
Due to evolving terror threats and a duty of care, the required level of security of public buildings and areas has increased significantly over the past decade. As a result there has been a need for products to be developed to help protect both the fabric and surroundings of public buildings such as airports and stadiums.
London Heathrow handled 48.2 million passengers in the first eight months of 2013, serving about 191,200 passengers daily, making it Britain’s busiest airport. Gatwick was the second busiest with 24 million passengers and Manchester ranked third with 13.5 million passengers . These high numbers of passengers travelling through any one airport at a time can create a potential target for terrorists in vehicles carrying explosives.
With the requirement for security of airports from criminal and terrorist attacks on the increase, facilities managers are stepping up on anti-terrorist protection for their buildings. The question is how can transport facilities managers protect their people and property discreetly and sympathetically to the local environment?
For counter terror purposes vehicle defence systems must have two roles, they should allow access to pedestrians, but also stop unwanted vehicles.
We also need security which can be achieved in an aesthetically pleasing manner. A security system should complement the design of the building and be hardly noticeable to the people using it, whilst still being a strong deterrent to vehicle-borne attacks.
The PAS 68 standard
PAS 68 is the UK’s standard and the security industry’s benchmark for hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) equipment, and is the specification against which perimeter security equipment is tested as part of the on-going research to prevent vehicle born explosive device attacks.
Integrated PAS 68 HVM systems are now being implemented at many airports and tourist attractions around the UK. The Counter Terror (CT) Block, from Townscape, is one such hostile vehicle perimeter protection system which various airports are already incorporating into terminal refurbishments and existing infrastructure.
The PAS 68 CT Block is a reinforced concrete blocker which has been designed and manufactured to immobilise a 7.5 tonne vehicle. The CT Block means attractive defence lines can be installed around a building to make it safe against vehicle incursion. Each CT block weighs 2.2 tonnes and only needs to be recessed 100mm below ground. This solution is easy and quick to install and therefore ideal for buildings and places which are retrofitting perimeter security. CT Blocks can be cleverly utilised as seating, they can be timber clad to create planters, and have light elements added for an attractive landscaping effect.
HVM in action
Designers and facilities managers at Manchester Airport Group have used the CT Block perimeter protection method at its main terminal entrances to protect potentially vulnerable targets. The CT Blocks were manufactured from a unique reconstituted stone mix using specially selected aggregates. Additional quartz Cornish fines were added to the mix to enhance the final finish of the exposed natural stone. The CT Blocks were then positioned at seating level onto the busy pedestrian plazas at the front of the airport terminal, adjacent to the vehicle drop off points.
The CT Blocks combined the elements of form and function perfectly and collectively convey a visual deterrent while adding an attractive feature to the open plaza in front of the main terminal buildings.
Manchester Airport Group also positioned the vehicle defence system to create a new passenger drop off area designed to improve customer transit times, direct travellers movements and enhance the whole airport experience.
Integrating security
Facilities managers have a duty of care over the safety of their passengers and various methods are already in place at most aviation facilities such as CCTV, barriers, railing and safety glass. However, the threat of terrorism is everywhere and all busy transport facilities need to be aware of its forms and do everything in their power to prevent it. Street furniture elements, such as bollards, barriers and even planters need to meet the robust PAS 68 standard, that’s why Townscape has developed PAS 68 solutions across its entire counter terror product range. An integrated HVM approach is the only way to ensure a high level of protection from vehicle incursions.
A transport hub such as Manchester Airport is a great example of how design and security can work together. This method has also been successfully implemented in many other major airports in the UK, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Cardiff, Belfast and Bournemouth.
By blending security measures into the architectural landscape of these public spaces it has been possible to cleverly create a safe environment for visitors with a robust security system which actually enhances the visitor experience.
Visit www.townscapeproducts.co.uk or call Townscape on 01623 440267.
About Townscape Products Limited
Townscape Products was established in 1974 and is a UK manufacturer and supplier of vehicle defence products and street furniture. Townscape manufactures and supplies products including CT Blocks, CT Bollards, CT Barriers and CT Planters, as well as seats, planters, litter bins, tree grids and guards, cycle racks and shelters, barriers, rails and paving from its street furniture range. The street furniture can be made from steel, stainless steel, aluminium, cast iron, concrete, Performa-cast polymer, and timber.
Website: www.townscapeproducts.co.uk.
