If you are specifying bollards for a government building, embassy, airport, or any project where hostile vehicle mitigation is a requirement, you will encounter three main crash rating standards: IWA 14-1, PAS 68, and ASTM F2656. Choosing the right one matters because it affects which products you can use, which markets you can sell into, and how much the project will cost.
All three standards test the same basic thing: can a bollard stop a vehicle of a specific weight traveling at a specific speed, and how far does the vehicle penetrate past the bollard line after impact?
The test involves driving a real vehicle into a bollard at a controlled speed. High-speed cameras and sensors measure the penetration distance. The bollard must remain functional and the vehicle must be stopped within the permitted penetration distance.
IWA 14-1 is an international standard published by ISO. It is the most widely recognized crash rating standard globally, used in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and increasingly in Latin America. If your project has international funding or involves a multinational client, IWA 14-1 is the safest bet.
IWA 14-1 uses a dual rating system. The M-rating describes the test vehicle mass and speed. M50 means approximately 7,500 kg at 80 km/h. M30 uses the same vehicle at 50 km/h. The P-rating describes penetration: P1 means less than 1 meter, P2 means 1-7 meters, P3 means 7-30 meters.
A bollard rated M50/P1 under IWA 14-1 has been tested to stop a 7,500 kg vehicle at 80 km/h with less than 1 meter of penetration. The impact energy at M50 is approximately 800 kJ.
PAS 68 is a British standard published by BSI. In practice, PAS 68 and IWA 14-1 have converged to the point where they are functionally equivalent. Most products certified to PAS 68 also meet IWA 14-1, and vice versa.
PAS 68 is still referenced in UK government procurement. If your project is in the UK or involves a UK client with a PAS 68 specification, you need PAS 68 certification specifically.
ASTM F2656 is the American standard. It is the required crash rating for US federal facilities, military installations, and most government-funded projects in the United States.
ASTM F2656 also uses an M/P rating system with some differences in test methodology. M50 means a 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) vehicle at 50 mph (80 km/h). There is also an older parallel standard, ASTM F3016, which uses K-ratings (K4, K8, K12). K4 corresponds roughly to M30, and K12 corresponds roughly to M50.
In practical terms, an M50/P1 rating means roughly the same thing across all three standards: the bollard stopped a heavy vehicle at highway speed with minimal penetration. The estimated impact energy is about 800 kJ for all three.
The key point: a product certified to one standard does not automatically carry the other certifications. If you need ASTM F2656 for a US government project, having IWA 14-1 certification will not substitute. You need the specific certification that the project specification requires.
For projects in China, the relevant standard is GA/T 1343-2016. It defines five levels (A through E) with a dual-code system. The energy levels range from 245 kJ (level E) to 1,679 kJ (level A). The highest rating, A1, requires the bollard to withstand 1,679 kJ of impact energy — roughly twice the energy of the international M50 standard.
A single impact test at an accredited facility costs approximately $50,000 to $100,000. This is why crash-rated bollards carry a significant premium. A non-rated automatic bollard might cost $2,000-$3,000. The same bollard with M50/P1 certification typically costs $5,000-$15,000.
For products intended for export, the practical strategy is to pursue IWA 14-1 certification first (broadest international coverage) and add ASTM F2656 if the US market is a priority. PAS 68 certification is often obtained simultaneously with IWA 14-1 since the test methods are nearly identical.
The rating applies to a specific installation method. A bollard rated M50/P1 in an embedded concrete foundation may not achieve the same result in a shallow-mount installation. Always follow the manufacturer installation instructions exactly.
Bollard spacing also matters. In a real hostile vehicle scenario, the vehicle may strike between bollards rather than hitting one head-on. The project specification should address both the bollard crash rating and the spacing between units.
If you need help specifying the right crash rating standard for your project, contact UPARK. We manufacture crash-rated bollards tested to international standards and can provide guidance on certification requirements for projects worldwide.
call us :
+86 18206096507 e-mail : [email protected]
ipv6 network supported 