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Wedge barriers, commonly found in high-security areas, are crucial for enforcing security. These active vehicle barriers pivot from the pavement to block unauthorized vehicles. The heavy-duty wedge obstruction is difficult to breach, offering maximum mitigation against hostile vehicles and ensuring robust protection.
Wedge barrier installation is a wise choice for property protection. Check out some options we currently have available at All Security Equipment. Our wedge barriers from HySecurity are tested and certified as durable enough to withstand vehicle impact.
How Wedge Barriers Work to Improve Protection
Wedge barriers typically sit flush with the pavement. Using an access control or manual operation, the wedge barrier operator raises the barrier into a locked position. It forms a sturdy horizontal wedge and blocks oncoming traffic. Deployment is very quick, and the plate or finger wedge is strong enough to stop a forceful crash.
The restrictive design of a wedge barrier makes it a strong first line of defense against potential threats and is effective for the following functions:
- Preventing unauthorized vehicle entry
- Controlling traffic flow in case of emergency
- Protecting pedestrians and properties from accidental vehicle intrusion
- Allowing customized solutions tailored to different security needs
Types of Wedge Barriers
Not all wedge barriers are the same. They come in different forms and can be customized depending on the type of security needed.
The different types of wedge barriers installed in entry points are:
Crash Rated Wedge Barrier
These are used in extremely sensitive facilities like military bases, government facilities, FBI buildings and embassies. Crash-rated wedge barriers are certified by the Department of Defense and are designed to provide the highest level of protection possible.
Portable Wedge Barrier
Portable wedge barrier systems are temporarily installed in any location where security is needed. They are easy to set up and can be used at sporting events, rallies, and other special events.
Surface Mount Wedge Barrier
A surface mount barrier is used in areas where excavation is not possible like where it is shallow and there is no foundation. It is often used with parking surface ramps or in areas that experience drainage problems. A surface mount wedge barrier is also used in light to medium-security areas like parking lots and commercial office spaces.
Shallow Mount Wedge Barrier
Shallow mount wedge barriers require minimum excavation and can also be used where there are shallow foundations. These are the most commonly used types of barriers in many facilities.
Types of Wedge Barriers According to Its Power Source
Wedge barriers can be automatically controlled using access control gate operator systems for remote operation. The finger plate is raised or lowered using two different sources: electric or hydraulic.
- Electric wedge barriers are fully electric and can run at variable speeds which is useful in emergency fast operation. Electric barriers are easy to operate and install. However, they are more expensive than hydraulic barriers.
- Hydraulic wedge barriers use hydraulic pumping units (HPU) buried in underground piping. They may use a single-source or 3-phase source power. Hydraulic barriers are quick to deploy. However, they may not be as effective during cold temperatures unless they are hooked to a heating unit to maintain the oil viscosity inside the unit.
Enhancing the Protective Capacity of Wedge Barriers
Wedge barriers can be used as a standalone unit or in combination with other security products. Gate security systems such as traffic arms, barrier arms, plate barriers, crash-rated bollards or telephone entry systems provide optimum security integration.
Some facilities incorporate high-security fences or K-rated fences for anti-terrorism and force protection. The K rating is the crash rating, which is the fence’s stopping ability when it comes to impacts.
K4-rated fences, K8-rated fences, and K12-rated fences are examples of force protection fences used for enhancing fence security. Chain link fencing and anti-climb fences may also be installed as additional security measures.
Wedge Barriers for Property Safety
A wedge barrier system is important in critical facilities but should not be understated in low-security areas as well. It can be installed on any property for traffic control and to restrict entry to authorized vehicles only.
If you want to explore wedge barrier options and their technical specifications, contact us at All Security Equipment for more details.
