Anti-terror vehicle barriers for sites that cannot risk a forced entry
A boom barrier stops an honest driver. It does not stop a determined one. When the vehicle itself is the threat — a ram-raid on a bank, an unauthorised entry into a refinery, a forced exit from a toll lane — you need a barrier built to absorb impact, not to signal it.
MMB Technologies supplies, installs and maintains road blockers, tyre killers and hydraulic bollards across Pakistan. We handle the civil work, the hydraulics, the control system and the integration with your existing gates, barriers and CCTV, and we support the installation afterwards.
The three systems, and what each one is for
These products are often confused with each other. They solve different problems, and most sites need a combination rather than one of them.
| System | What it does | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Road blocker | A heavy steel plate rises from the road surface to block the full lane width | Banks, embassies, government buildings, army and police installations, refineries |
| Tyre killer (spike barrier) | Angled spikes stop movement in one direction while allowing free travel in the other | One-way exits, toll lanes, parking exits, checkpoints where reversing must be prevented |
| Hydraulic bollard | Steel posts that rise and lower individually to open or close a pedestrianised area | Plaza forecourts, hotel entrances, pedestrian streets, drop-off zones, VIP entries |
A common layout is a road blocker on the main entry lane, tyre killers on the exit lane, and bollards protecting the building forecourt.
Road blockers
A road blocker is a hydraulically driven steel barrier installed into a foundation pit in the roadway. When lowered it sits flush with the road and traffic passes over it. When raised it presents a solid steel face across the lane.
Key specifications we supply
- Lane widths: standard 3 m and 4 m modules, wider lanes covered by multiple units
- Blocking heights: typically 500 mm to 900 mm above road level depending on the threat level
- Operating speed: 3–6 seconds for normal operation, with an emergency fast-rise option of 1–2 seconds
- Drive: hydraulic power pack with manual hand-pump override for power failure
- Surface: hot-dip galvanised and anti-skid top plate for wet-weather traction
- Safety: loop detectors, warning lights, audible alarm and emergency stop as standard
Control options
Road blockers can be operated from a guard console, by remote control, by RFID or number-plate recognition, or automatically from your parking management system. We normally supply a guard console plus one automatic method, so the guard always retains manual authority.
Tyre killers
A tyre killer allows vehicles to pass freely in the permitted direction, while spikes deflate the tyres of any vehicle attempting to travel against it. Two types are common:
- Fixed (mechanical) tyre killers: spring-loaded spikes that fold flat in the permitted direction. No power required, very low maintenance, ideal for permanent one-way exits.
- Hydraulic tyre killers: spikes raised and lowered on command, so the lane can be used in both directions when required. Used at checkpoints and controlled exits.
Both are installed into a shallow foundation and are often paired with an automatic road barrier so that the barrier controls normal traffic and the spikes prevent tailgating or reversing.
Hydraulic bollards
Bollards are the right answer where a road blocker would be too aggressive and a boom barrier too weak — for example a hotel forecourt where you want vehicles stopped but the area to look open and welcoming.
- Automatic hydraulic bollards: powered rise and fall, controlled by remote, card or guard console
- Semi-automatic bollards: gas-spring assisted, lowered by key when access is needed
- Fixed and removable bollards: for permanent protection of walls, glass frontages and pedestrian areas
Typical diameters are 219 mm and 273 mm, with rise heights of 600 mm to 800 mm, LED warning rings on the head, and a hand pump for emergency lowering.
Where we install these systems
- Banks, ATM plazas and cash-handling facilities
- Government buildings, courts and secretariats
- Army, police and law-enforcement installations
- Oil, gas, chemical and power installations
- Airports, dry ports and logistics terminals
- Five-star hotels, embassies and consulates
- Gated housing societies with a high-security main entrance
- Factories and industrial estates with heavy goods traffic
How we deliver a project
- Site survey: we measure the lane, check the traffic pattern, and identify the drainage, power and cable routes.
- Threat and layout design: we recommend the blocking height, product type and lane arrangement for your risk level.
- Civil works: excavation, foundation pit, drainage and conduit. This is the part most suppliers underestimate — we handle it ourselves.
- Installation: unit set, hydraulic power pack positioned, cabling, loop detectors, lights and alarms.
- Integration: connection to guard console, RFID, ANPR, CCTV cameras and access control.
- Testing and handover: full cycle testing, emergency operation drill, and training for your security staff.
- Support: scheduled maintenance of the hydraulics and seals, plus spares and call-out service.
What affects the price
Buyers often ask for a price before any site information. The honest answer is that these figures move with the design, so we quote after a survey. The main drivers are:
- Lane width and the number of lanes to be protected
- Blocking height and required impact resistance
- Normal versus emergency operating speed
- Extent of civil work, drainage and the condition of the existing road
- Control method: guard console only, or RFID, ANPR and software integration
- Surface finish, galvanising and whether stainless-steel cladding is required
- Location, site access and installation conditions
Frequently asked questions
What happens if the power fails while the blocker is raised?
Every unit we supply includes a manual hand pump so the blocker or bollard can be lowered without electricity. On critical sites we also recommend a UPS or generator feed for the power pack.
Do road blockers need drainage?
Yes. The foundation pit must drain, either to a storm line or via a submersible pump built into the pit. Skipping drainage is the single most common cause of premature failure, so we include it in every design.
Can a tyre killer damage an authorised vehicle?
Not in normal use. Spikes fold flat in the permitted direction, and hydraulic units are interlocked with the barrier so they can only rise when the lane is clear. Loop detectors and warning lights are fitted as standard.
Can these systems be linked to our existing barriers and cameras?
Yes. We routinely integrate road blockers and bollards with existing boom barriers, RFID readers, ANPR cameras, turnstiles and parking software, including equipment supplied by other vendors.
Do you supply to dealers and contractors?
Yes. We supply these products on wholesale terms to dealers, installers and project contractors across Pakistan. See our wholesale and dealer supply page.
How long does an installation take?
For a single lane, civil work is typically 5–7 days including curing time, followed by 1–2 days for installation, integration and testing. Multi-lane sites are phased so that at least one lane stays open.
Related solutions
- Automatic road barriers for everyday traffic control
- Parking management system for ticketing, RFID and ANPR
- Electric fencing for perimeter protection
- Complete security solutions across CCTV, access control and vehicle security
- Security project execution for turnkey installations
Request a site survey
Tell us the site, the lane width and the risk you are protecting against, and we will propose a layout and a costed design. Call +92 42 35786020, message us on WhatsApp, or use our contact form.