ATG Access launches another market leading innovation to combat more high-security, perimeter protection needs. The company will be unveiling the new product by way of a product demonstration at the Security & Policing Exhibition in Farnborough on the 31st January-2nd February (Stand G16) and at the Counter Terror exhibition, London Olympia 26-27th April (Stand F181).
The new product being launched – the Titan MKII ‘Independence’ is ideal to be used on remote applications where access to any power supply is limited. The product has been successfully tested in accordance with PAS 68 testing programme, arresting a 7500kg truck at 50mph.
This provides the new product with a very high level of protection against vehicle borne attacks. Not only does the product offer a high level of protection, it is also aesthetically pleasing and economical for sites with high security needs but lower budgets.
A variety of different trade organisations have constructed a host of standards and quality measures that are used to benchmark product excellence across the access control industry. The Perimeter Security Suppliers Association accreditation (PSSA) is one of the newest standards to the industry and is specifically designed for products, companies and users of high security perimeter products.
This industry body is the trade association for companies involved in the supply of equipment and services designed to provide the highest levels of physical protection for sites and their perimeters from terrorist or criminal attack.
The PSSA have recently launched a product verification scheme which aims to raise the standard of vehicle barrier systems both nationally and internationally. This is only the first step as the trade association also plans to extend this verification scheme to all perimeter protection systems and even the installation provided by contractors.
The system aims to promote and audit the quality of not only products but the surrounding system and company standards also. This relates to the quality of drawings, electrical control systems and quality standards adhered to throughout the company. This gives the end user reassurance of supplier and product quality.
ATG Access was one of the first of three companies to be confirmed by the PSSA as fully verified by the pioneering scheme. This UK drive to raise industry standards and provide a focal point for the market will benefit British manufacturers internationally.
Multiple product testing schemes exist internationally such as PAS 68, ASTM (American Standard) and the new CWA 16221 which is an European workshop agreement that combines the detail from BSI PAS 68 and PAS 69 providing guidance on test methods for determining vehicle security barrier performance classification.
The standard also includes a series of informative annexes that advise on appropriate product selection, installation and use. Although important, these certifications are still individual product standards whereas the PSSA verification will offer a more holistic product and company accreditation.
Vehicle Barrier system manufacturers based in the UK will soon see the benefit of these standards when tendering for jobs both nationally and internationally. It no longer seems enough for companies to successfully pass an impact test. With the requirement to make the full product PAS 68 designation available to potential customers; not only do products have to pass the impact test, they will now be compared with similar and substitute products to analyse the quality of the product pass.
ATG Access are one of the founding members of the PSSA recently have been one of the first to volunteer themselves to be audited by the trade association, applying to meet the new product verification scheme.
ATG’s continuous commitment to strive and meet the emerging standards within the market place has secured them a variety of high profile jobs across the globe. Recent projects have included contracts in London, Malaysia, Doha, America, Canada, the Netherlands and Thailand to name but a few.
ATG Access is at the forefront of current access control solutions with a world leading research and development programme to constantly innovate perimeter security products; this is at the heart of their business. The company has grown by 30 percent over the last year and is on track to grow a further 20 percent again this year. There is no doubt that this success can partly be attributed to British standards being promoted and held in higher esteem internationally. The access control market is becoming more regulated and the superior products are becoming easier to identify.
Investment and partnership with eminent trade associations and government bodies such as the PSSA, CPNI and the NaCTSO will help British Manufacturers of vehicle protection barriers succeed internationally in the future. The recent terrorist attack in Norway and other soft targets demonstrates that the global terror threat needs to be taken seriously. This indicates that a market-wide push to raise standards is not a ‘flash in the pan.’ Companies who conform and work with trade associations now will most certainly reap the benefits later. Supporting the new industry standards should not be seen as an inconvenient, additional audit but an opportunity to showcase quality and innovative access control products.
Come and visit ATG Access who will be exhibiting at both the Counter Terror Exhibition (stand F181) and Security & Policing Exhibition (stand G16).
For more details on this story or on the product range of ATG Access please contact the marketing department on 01942 407 735 or e-mail: [email protected]. Visit their website at www.atgaccess.com for extensive product information.
