Bollards can help secure high-profile office buildings.The tragic events of 9/11 left many high-profile corporations feeling increasingly vulnerable to attack and seeking an added level of security. Internal measures--such as the addition of security personnel and the demand for identification of those entering the building--were put in place almost immediately. Safeguarding a building from the outside was a more difficult matter. For some organizations, including the New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. and several major banks, security bollards provided part of the solution. Security bollards are posts that are anchored in concrete, creating a shield around a building's exterior and protecting it against the possibility of an attack from an explosive-filled vehicle. They are, however, costly to install and the procedure leading up to installation can be extremely complex. Building owners may consider installing bollards if a new tenant requests additional protection or an existing tenant is identified as a potential target. Placing bollards outside a building on city property requires the "revocable rev·o·ca·ble also re·vok·a·ble adj. That can be revoked: a revocable order; a revocable vote. Adj. 1. consent" of the New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. Department of Transportation, and a number of standards must be met before such consent is given. Bollards can have a significant impact on subsurface utilities Subsurface Utilities are the Utility networks generally laid under the ground surface. The utilities here refers to pipeline networks for water supply, sewage disposal, petrochemical liquid transmission, petrochemical gas transmission or cable networks for power transmission, . If it is determined that they might hinder access to adjacent utilities in an emergency, the utilities may have to be relocated before bollards can be installed. Pedestrian access might also be an issue. Bollards can obstruct the movement of pedestrians. The spacing between them must be at least four feet, and their installation is required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act Americans with Disabilities Act, U.S. civil-rights law, enacted 1990, that forbids discrimination of various sorts against persons with physical or mental handicaps. . Fire Department access to stand pipes along the face of the building is provided by installing removable bollards at critical locations. In addition to the cost of installation, building owners must pay to the city an annual fee of $125 per bollard bol·lard n. 1. Nautical A thick post on a ship or wharf, used for securing ropes and hawsers. 2. Chiefly British One of a series of posts preventing vehicles from entering an area. . Steps to Installation Once the building owner agrees to install bollards, a utility and boundary survey must be performed to determine precisely what is below the ground and where the property line is. This is followed by a preliminary layout of the bollards and a plan for relocating utilities, if required. A security analysis of the building is then performed, aimed at answering such questions as: Would bollards provide the degree of protection that is desired? Are other means of protection A means of protection is some contract or guarantee of security for body or property. It is usually achieved, in a modern state society, by agreeing to some social contract including a monopoly on violence, e.g. , such as hardening building columns, viable alternatives? How vulnerable to severe damage is the building with and without bollards? Coordination with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT NYCDOT New York City Department of Transportation ) may involve other city agencies as well: the Department of Environmental Protection with regard to water and sewer lines; the Fire Department with respect to the location of hydrants and standpipes; and Con Edison about gas and electricity. Even within the NYCDOT, coordination will be required among various units that deal with such issues as street lighting, parking meters, and traffic signals. When an overall concept is developed and all issues associated with it are resolved, an application is submitted to NYCDOT requesting revocable consent for the bollards. If the application is accepted, the security analysis is forwarded to the Police Department, which must agree that there is a high degree of risk and that the risk would be significantly reduced by the proposed improvements. Typically, the NYPD NYPD New York City Police Department (since 1845; New York City, NY, USA) NYPD New York Play Development will require more than just bollards to provide security. It may call for the use of security cameras, evacuation procedures and drills, visitor screening, and blast film on windows. If approved by NYCDOT and NYPD, the plan is submitted to the New York City Art Commission and the City Planning city planning, process of planning for the improvement of urban centers in order to provide healthy and safe living conditions, efficient transport and communication, adequate public facilities, and aesthetic surroundings. Commission. Since the bollards will be located on city property, the Art Commission has a say in aesthetic features such as color and finish. Finally, the Planning Commission provides overall review and approval of the installation on city property. The approval process can take from six to 18 months, depending on such matters as utility conflicts, the amount of public space impacted, and other security measures that might be implemented. Construction can be completed within just a few months after approval is granted. BY TOBY HANSSON, P.E. SENIOR ASSOCIATE VOLLMER ASSOCIATES, LLP LLP - Lower Layer Protocol |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion