Delta Scientific announced that Atlanta's new $1.5 billion stadium, home to the NFL Atlanta Falcons football team and MLS Atlanta United soccer club and site of the recent NCAA national college football championship, is protecting fans, personnel and athletes from terrorists and errant drivers from using vehicles as weapons.
Delta Scientific, the manufacturer of counter-terrorist vehicle control systems used in the United States and internationally, announced that Atlanta's new $1.5 billion stadium, home to the NFL Atlanta Falcons football team and MLS Atlanta United soccer club and site of the recent NCAA national college football championship, is protecting fans, personnel and athletes from terrorists and errant drivers from using vehicles as weapons. Installed by Tusco (Cottondale, Ala.), using Delta Scientific perimeter protection products, the new access system includes four DSC501 barriers, five DSC720 bollards, 39 DSC2000 barriers and 59 DSC680 fixed bollards.
"We are very experienced with installing Delta equipment," relates Brent Martina, president, Tusco. "Mercedes-Benz Stadium was very particular about their security needs and protocols and requested a customized sequence of operations for their security equipment. Delta Scientific's products and experienced engineers made them the obvious choice in meeting both the high quality and technical standards required to integrate with the stadium's sophisticated security system. It was crucial to have a reliable team in place as we received a very compressed schedule to get everything complete by the first football game and, therefore, had no room for errors."
DSC501 barriers were used at main entrances where players and VIPs, among others, enter with their cars. The DSC501 is the only K54-certified retractable vehicle barricade in the world. Set in a foundation only 18 inches deep, it will survive and operate after a 5.4-million foot pound impact. That's equivalent to a 65,000-pound truck hitting it at 50 mph. Stopping the truck or car dead in its tracks, the DSC501 protects against a "second hit" risk from a second vehicle. The stadium preferred installing these barricades in a more industrial look, wanting them to be "seen."
Five retractable DSC720 bollards were used at the pedestrian entry areas. This is Delta's highest crash rated bollard, stopping a 15,000 pound vehicle at 50 mph. The bollard will stop and destroy much larger vehicles than those tested at very high velocities. The DSC720 is 35 inches tall and 15 inches wide. At Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the bollards feature brushed stainless steel sleeves.
At the loading docks, 39 of Delta's fastest, smallest and shallowest foundation barricades were implemented. Chosen especially for high speed applications and ease of installation, the cost effective DSC2000 barrier is K12 crash certified with no penetration, meaning it will stop a 15,000 pound vehicle traveling 50 mph dead in its tracks.The ten-inch shallow foundation also reduces installation complexity, time, materials and corresponding costs.
Lastly, 50 DSC680 shallow foundation fixed bollards with stainless steel sleeves protect pedestrian areas. They secure any unprotected locations where vehicle bombers and errant drivers have no obstacles. The system also includes Delta Scientific hydraulic power units and features touchscreen controls.
"Delayed by roof issues, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium challenged us with a condensed schedule to provide one of the world's most secure vehicle access systems," avows Martina. "I'm proud to say that our team completed the work on time and walked away from the project with another pleased client."