News
Bomb-blast
Protection (page 4)
The proliferation of electronic equipment in
response to the global threat and the ‘War on Terror’
is impressive. Finger print identification, biometrics, explosive
trace detectors all have their part to play. But ‘sexy’
technology must be combined with hard line physical back up if
lives are to be saved. We know deep down that the terrorist can
strike at any time and in any place. The recent incident of the
‘shoe bomber’, who had he succeeded, would have caused
a huge loss of life for the sake of a small amount of explosives,
shows that despite all of the high security airport checks which
are in place, it is always possible for the terrorist to get through.
Had airline staff not been so vigilant another atrocity would
have taken place with catastrophic loss of life.
The experience of explosives and terrorist activities
in Northern Ireland had led a small band companies to develop
state of the art bomb detection and bomb resistant systems as
counter terrorist measures. Whilst the political will to keep
this activity going in more peaceful times had receded; the world
has now awoken to perhaps a greater, more universal, threat.
British companies are well placed to provide
the counter terrorist products necessary in today’s uncertain
world. Specifiers however must be bold enough to choose proven
products and not give generic specifications based on theoretical
calculations and generalised assumptions. As a renowned colleague
of mine in the field of bomb blast resistant systems is keen to
reiterate on copious occasions ‘An ounce of experience is
worth a ton of theory.’
Derek Quinn is a Senior Technical Engineer working
with the Pensher Skytech technical design team who have developed
a range of bomb blast resistant and anti ballistic windows, doors
and curtain walling. Some products have resisted actual terrorist
incidents in Northern Ireland. Holding testing as the key, Pensher
Skytech are continually pushing the limits to see what ultimate
levels of bomb blast resistance can be achieved.