In an increasingly uncertain world, armoring personal vehicles has become paramount for dignitaries, law enforcement personnel, and corporate use. However, the safety features of armored cars differ depending on ballistic standards, weight, size, and payload. In this article, we explain armored vehicles and walk you through how to choose the right protection level for yours.
What Are Armored Vehicle Protection Levels?
Ballistic protection levels, commonly known as armor levels, are special ratings given to body armor safety features based on their threshold to protect against different strengths of attacks. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is a global leader in ballistic testing. In 1972, it developed a set of guidelines to facilitate consistency and uniformity in the level of protection offered by bulletproof body armor.
The different protection levels describe the type of ammunition vehicles can resist. A common standard used to measure the ballistic protection level of an armored car is the European Standard, EN 1023. This security glazing standard covers different threat levels, B1 to B7.
The British Ballistic Standard is also a popular benchmark used to measure the ballistic capabilities of a car. This standard varies based on the type of armor on the vehicle, the number of occupants, and the weight of passengers. Moreover, the American UL 752, developed by Underwriters Laboratories, is considered the gold standard for evaluating the ballistic protection capabilities of an armored vehicle.
How To Pick the Right Protection Level for an Armored Vehicle Service
Here are guidelines on how to select the proper protection level for your security vehicle:
Access the Threat Level the Vehicle’s Occupants Might Face
What dangers are you likely to come across? Are these hostile forces armed with powerful rifles or handguns? Different groups of people may face various threats. For example, high government officials and military personnel may require protection against very powerful weapons. Business people, on the other hand, may need protection from low-level crimes.
Common types of threats include:
- Ballistic Threats: Armored vehicles can create a protective barrier against the impacts of bullets and projectiles.
- Kidnapping: Built with special features, such as reinforced body panels and run-flat tires to protect against kidnapping attempts, security vehicles are great for preventing kidnapping.
- Explosive Threats: High-level armored vehicles are uniquely designed to absorb blasts and protect occupants from fragmentation.
Consider Your Environment
Before purchasing an armored vehicle, you should assess the type of environment you’ll be working or traveling in. Consider whether this is a low-risk or high-risk environment and the country if you plan to travel to other regions. You will also need to look at the climate of your area of operation because this will play a paramount role in your decision-making. Urban areas tend to be more crowded and offer more threat potentials than rural areas.
Know Your Budget
Due to the intensive labor and expensive materials used to make them, prepare to spend anywhere from $30,000 to over $800,000 when buying your own armored vehicle. To avoid breaking the bank, consider financing options for your purchase or leasing from a security company. Ultimately, you should find a healthy balance between the level of protection you require and how much money you have.
Invest in Extra Features
In addition to protection levels, consider the following add-ons and features for even more security:
- Run-flat tires
- Bulletproof glass
- Emergency evacuation system
Get High-Level Protection With David Shield Security
You should always prioritize ensuring your safety and that of your passengers. By selecting the right armored vehicle, you can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you and your loved ones are safe.
At David Shield Security, we aspire to offer the highest protection level for all our esteemed clients. Through careful custom engineering of our vehicles, we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our clients, their loved ones, and businesses, whichever part of the world they may be. Contact us to learn more about the armored vehicle services we offer and how they can help deliver peace of mind.
