PAS 68 is a British standard which identifies impact test methods, tolerances, test vehicle type and performance criteria that needs to be met. It has been prepared to address the needs of organisations who wish to have the assurance that vehicle security barriers (VSB) will provide the level of impact resistance that they seek. PAS 68 specifies the essential impact performance requirement for a vehicle security barrier (VSB) and a test method for rating its performance when subjected to a single impact by a test vehicle. The test vehicle is automated and is not driven by a human being. 

 

BSI PAS 68 stands for Publicly Available Specification (PAS) for vehicle security barriers. It has been the UK’s standard and recognised security industry’s standard for HVM (Hostile Vehicle Mitigation) equipment. It is the benchmark in which perimeter security equipment is tested as part of the ongoing research to prevent VBIED (Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device) attacks. 

A PAS 68 & IWA14-1 performance rating is designated to each product that has been impact tested; this classification code should be available to confirm the test results. 

 

The NPSA - National Protective Security Authority (formerly - CPNI - Centre for Protection of National Infrastructure) in conjunction with other stakeholders developed the PAS 68 classification. This has now been replaced with the International Works Agreement (IWA) 14-1, combining elements of both PAS68 and the US classification ASTM 2656-07. 

 

For example following a vehicle impact test it will be given a rating that may look similar to the following:  

Whilst this string of numbers and letters may look confusing, it's quite simple once explained. The above is confirming that a 7.5 tonne, class N2 vehicle travelling at 64 kph (40mph) impacted the test product at an angle of 90°, so head on. It took 1.7m in distance until full penetration was made which is measured from the the load-carrying part of the vehicle when travelling past the back face of the product, before stopping completely. The dispersion number is the measurement of how far away in metres the debris landed away from the final impact and in this case, was 0.0 metres.  

 

Find out more about PAS 68 

IWA (International Workshop Agreement) measures the vehicle impact performance and not the surrounding site environment like PAS 68 (or PAS 69). 

 

Find out more about IWA 14-1 

 

A European Workshop Agreement that combines elements from BSI PAS 68 and PAS 69. It advises on test methods for determining vehicle security performance and product selection and installation. 

 

Cova understand that selecting the right crash rated product for your project is critical in order to achieve maximum protection, and making this decision and understanding the benefits can often be daunting and very confusing.  

 

By talking through your project needs and for Cova to gain an understanding of the level of protection required, along with vehicle access and control, location of the gate (hot vs cold climate), how frequently it will be used and what safety mechanisms are required - the decision becomes a lot clearer.