PALMDALE,
CALIF. - October 25, 2007 - Delta Scientific, the leading manufacturer of counter-terrorist
vehicle control systems used in the United States and internationally, today
announced that its DSC 501 high security barricade has been tested in the United
Kingdom to stop a 7,500 kg (16,500 pound) vehicle traveling 80 kph (50 mph),
meeting the BSI standard PAS:68 2007, which tests barricades to a standard most
similar to the U.S. State Department's K12 rating. After the crash, the DSC
501 continued to operate with no repairs, thus showing that it can protect facilities
against a "second hit threat" from an accompanying vehicle.
"We were
not surprised at this result because, almost two years ago, the DSC501 had earned
a State Department certification of K54, far exceeding the K12 standard, stopping
and destroying a 29,484 kg (65,000 pound) truck hitting it at 80 kph (50 mph),"
emphasizes Delta Scientific Senior Vice President David Dickinson. "That's
a 5.4 million foot pound impact. Nonetheless, we are pleased to meet and exceed
British standards, which are used by many international agencies in selecting
vehicle control equipment."
Over 2,000
DSC501 high security barricades are in use throughout the world at embassies,
nuclear power plants, DOD facilities and other critical threat locations around
the world. With its shallow foundation and aesthetic design, it has become the
major barrier for high duty, anti-terrorist barricades.
Set in a foundation
only 18 inches (46 cm) deep, the DSC501 is suitable for high water table locations
and areas with corrosive soils. The shallow foundation obviates the concerns
of interference with buried pipes, power lines and fiber optic communication
lines. This foundation also reduces installation complexity, time, materials
and corresponding costs.
When a car
going 60 mph (96 kph) is detected within 90 feet (27.6 m), the DSC501 raises
in only one second, time for the barricade to provide protection. In the lowered
position, the DSC501's barrier ramp is completely flush with the roadway. Buttresses,
counterweights and road plates do not obstruct authorized pedestrian or vehicular
traffic. The DSC501 is raised and lowered to and from the guard position via
hydraulic cylinders driven by Delta's patent-pending hydraulic power unit. This
unit can be configured to operate one or more DSC501 barriers.
The DSC501RL
(Remote Locations) model incorporates a new special locking system that prevents
terrorists from disabling or dismantling it. It was created especially for remote
applications, such as at dams and other out-of-the-way locales. In such locations,
it is kept in the "up" position. With the DSC501RL, the harder a terrorist
works at attempting to immobilize this barrier to get a vehicle through, the
tighter the unit actually locks up.
A debris screen
is also available that reduces visual and physical access to the intra-barrier
area for security and safety purposes. The screen will also deflect explosives,
such as a hand grenade, from being thrown inside the barricade. This debris
screen was tested to over 10,000 cycles with no measurable damage or wear.