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. 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,” said 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. Set in a foundation only 18 inches deep, it will survive and operate after a 5.4-million foot pound impact. Five retractable DSC720 bollards were used at the pedestrian entry areas. At the loading docks, 39 of Delta’s fastest, smallest and shallowest foundation barricades were implemented. The 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. Lastly, 50 DSC680 shallow foundation fixed bollards 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,” Martina said. “I’m proud to say that our team completed the work on time and walked away from the project with another pleased client.”