Development of new types of innovative Fancy Fence gates

Project title

Name of Beneficiary/Beneficiaries

JP Novation Sp. z o.o.

Name of programme

Operational Program “Smart Growth”

Competition

Fast Track

Project value

PLN 5,711,247.21

Funding value

PLN 3,719,783.74

Project delivery period

01.10.2020 – 31.07.2023

Results of our work

As part of the R&D work, 3 new types of gates lowered into the ground of the “Fancy Fence” system were developed:

1. Anti-terrorist gates protecting public spaces against attacks using motor vehicles, meeting the most stringent requirements of the U.S. ASTM and the international ISO standards. Illustrations from crash tests performed at the German CTS research center:

Video

2. Gates with lengths exceeding 5 m, which are widely used in public spaces to fence them off only when needed (at night, during special events, concerts, on days off).

3. Gates with solid filling, which complement the existing offer of Fancy Fence gates – lowered into the ground, with new configuration options including the use of facade panels.

Issues addressed

Technical solutions developed as part of our R&D work solve the following problems:

a) How to secure public spaces in a way that does not interfere with the surrounding architecture and, at the same time, is effective when needed? The solution is Fancy Fence gates with a length of over 5 m, thanks to which you can achieve infinite lengths of fences that remain discreetly hidden in the ground when they are not needed. If necessary, they are raised above the ground level to fence off the protected zone.

b) How to ensure the safety of people staying in public areas against attacks by motor vehicles, while controlling access to selected zones? This possibility is provided by certified Fancy Fence gates in the anti-terrorist version.

Additionally, our R&D work allowed for the development of new gate designs (with solid filling) which were requested by architects.

Project beneficiaries

We are pleased that thanks to the support from the NCBR we have already achieved our first commercial successes.

The introduction of the 5+ meters long gates lowered into the ground made it possible to fence a public swimming pool in Quebec (Canada). We are the only company in the world that has a technical solution that makes it possible to fence off a public zone when needed, and make it completely invisible when it is not needed.

Next, the development of the anti-terrorist version of the Fancy Fence gates made us the only company in the world that has a solution which allows for securing public spaces against access by both people and cars. Previous solutions in the form of retractable bollards only allowed access control for cars, but not for people. Our new solution contributed to the signing of a contract for the fencing off the newly built Vitry Center subway station in Paris where, due to the very specific shape of the main entrance, no other solution could be used.

The barrier is under construction and is scheduled to be commissioned in the 4th quarter of 2024.

Major implementation challenges

Of course, working on the project during the pandemic, when the availability of resources and the capacity of contractors decreased dramatically, was a big challenge. The outbreak of the war in Ukraine was also a significant event which causing an increase in the prices of steel – the main material used in our structures.

However, the biggest challenge was the optimization of technical solutions that had to be tested in real conditions. When developing the anti-terrorist gate, we could not afford to make mistakes in crash tests using a truck. Due to budget constraints, we knew that we only had one chance, and at the same time we realized that it an oversized and expensive structure would definitely not be something that clients would like to buy. Thanks to advanced computer simulations performed by our designers, we managed to develop an optimal solution that meets the most stringent ISO and ASTM safety standards. Not only did the test truck fail to cross the gate line but, due to the intentional “tennis racket” effect, the vehicle bounced off – something previously unheard of:

Video

Our advice to other applicants

Already at the stage of writing the application for funding, you should carefully consider the research plan, including some spare time in your schedule. In this way you will not only minimize the risk of delays but also identify available alternatives well in advance. This approach turned out to be extremely useful during the pandemic and allowed us to complete the project on schedule and on budget.