How Crash-Rated Bollards Get Certified

Understanding the ASTM standards for crash-rated bollard certification

Bollards are a ubiquitous part of urban landscapes, providing more than just aesthetic appeal. These sturdy posts serve vital functions, guiding traffic, protecting pedestrians, and securing critical infrastructure. Among the various types of bollards, crash-rated bollards stand out for their specialized role in safeguarding against vehicular threats. Whether they are protecting pedestrians, government buildings, or other high-risk areas, crash-rated bollards are meticulously designed and tested to withstand vehicle impacts.

The certification process that these bollards undergo ensures their reliability and effectiveness in real-world scenarios. This guide delves into the certification process, ASTM standards, and testing protocols that ensure crash-rated bollards can withstand the most extreme conditions.

What is a Crash-Rated Bollard?

Crash-rated bollards are engineered to withstand vehicular impacts without being uprooted or significantly damaged. Their primary function is to absorb and dissipate the force from a collision, thereby preventing vehicles from breaching protected perimeters. While steel is the most common material, other materials like aluminum and reinforced plastics are also sometimes used, provided they meet the necessary impact resistance.

To achieve certification, these bollards must pass rigorous testing procedures set by independent certification bodies. Initially, the U.S. Department of Defense introduced the K-Ratings in 1985, designed to measure a bollard’s ability to stop a medium-duty truck at specific speeds. Today, more comprehensive testing standards, such as those developed by ASTM International, have replaced the older K-Ratings with modern M-Ratings.

ASTM Testing Standards

Even though there are numerous test standards, they all assess a system’s capacity to mitigate damage caused by vehicle impact by defining acceptable penetration limits, which can be used to determine whether passive perimeter and active entry point barriers are applicable based on the setback distance at a specific location.

ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards are among the most widely recognized in the industry for crash-rated bollards. For instance, ASTM F3016 and ASTM F2656 provide the primary benchmarks for testing a bollards’ ability to stop vehicles and mitigate damage, helping ensure that they perform as required in various real-world scenarios.

When tested, bollards are assigned a base rating (such as S10, M30, M40, or M50) based on the vehicle’s speed and weight, and a penetration rating (P1, P2, P3, or P4) that indicates how far the vehicle’s chassis travels beyond the bollard after impact.

The most common ratings that are within the ASTM standard are:

Crash-Rated Simulation Test

Before proceeding to physical crash testing, simulations are used to evaluate the potential performance of crash-rated bollards. These simulations use computer models, such as the finite element method (FEM), to predict how the bollard will behave under various impact conditions. These virtual tests allow manufacturers to optimize designs and resolve potential issues before conducting full-scale crash tests, saving both time and resources.

However, the accuracy of simulations is inherently limited by the quality of the algorithms and assumptions used in modeling the structure. Therefore, while simulations are crucial, they are typically a preliminary step before real-world testing.

Crash-rated testing process

Once a bollard passes initial simulations, it moves on to full-scale crash testing, conducted by independent facilities such as Applus IDIADA or Calspan. In these controlled environments, bollards are subjected to a series of tests to verify their stopping power. A typical test involves driving a heavy-duty vehicle (like a pickup truck) at a bollard at high speed, simulating a real-world collision scenario.

High-speed cameras capture the impact from multiple angles, and engineers analyze how well the bollard absorbed the force of the collision. Damage to the bollard, the vehicle, and the foundation is meticulously recorded to determine the effectiveness of the design. In addition to visual recordings, cameras are strategically placed to measure the vehicle’s penetration distance, allowing engineers to assign an accurate penetration rating.

Crash testing stands as a pivotal phase in the evolution of crash-rated bollards, designed to fortify the perimeter of any business space. The durability of these bollards is not merely a structural requirement but a commitment to the protection of personnel who frequent these areas. By prioritizing investment in crash-rated bollards, companies manifest a dedication to enhancing the security of their premises and the welfare of their employees. The process of selecting the right bollard type is critical, serving as a proactive measure against vehicular incidents. It is imperative to navigate the landscape of certifications, such as those provided by ASTM, to discern which bollard meets your unique safety specifications. We invite you to explore our selection of crash-rated bollards, each accompanied by detailed ASTM certification, to ensure your choice upholds the highest standard of safety and reliability.

Only after passing these tests can a bollard be certified as crash-rated.

Why Certification Matters

Certification is a guarantee of performance. When selecting a crash-rated bollard, it’s essential to understand the standards and ratings associated with its certification. This ensures that the bollard will perform as needed, whether it’s protecting pedestrians in a public space or securing a high-risk government facility.

Reliance Foundry’s crash-rated bollards have been rigorously tested and certified, providing an assurance that they meet the highest safety standards. Our bollards not only protect against vehicular threats but also enhance the aesthetics of the environment in which they are installed. By investing in certified crash-rated bollards, businesses and municipalities demonstrate a commitment to safety and security.

Crash-rated bollards are an essential part of urban safety, engineered to provide protection against vehicular threats. Through a combination of computer simulations and real-world crash testing, these bollards are rigorously evaluated and certified to ensure their reliability. With standards such as ASTM F3016 and F2656, the certification process provides peace of mind that the bollards you select will perform in high-risk scenarios. Whether safeguarding a pedestrian walkway or fortifying a government building, certified crash-rated bollards are a crucial investment in public safety.