GUIDE TO ASTM RATINGS
It is important to note that these standards should be used as guidelines for deciding on the level of protection required for that specific site.
It is recommended that property owners and end users perform a risk assessment of their site to determine the level of protection that may be necessary.
Please contact us for further questions or product information.
Bollard Basics
What are ASTM Ratings
ASTM International is an international standards agency that determines how certain tests are performed and how certain materials are rated or graded depending on their properties.
In the case of bollards, it is their physical and mechanical properties that allow the bollard to withstand the force of an impact given a specific vehicle weight and speed.
ASTM Ratings are achieved by conducting standardized crash testing. Crash testing defines what a specific bollard is capable of.
F2656 M30-P1 is an example of an ASTM rating
F2656 M30-P1 rated bollard can withstand an impact of a 15,000lb vehicle driving at 30MPH, penetrating the protected area at a distance of less than 3.3ft.
The M30 rating is defined by the F2656 standard, which details the criteria for performing a security bollard crash test at a given speed.
The penetration rating (P1, P2, or P3) is determined by the distance that the vehicle is able to travel beyond the bollard after impact.
Example of a F2656 crash test
F2656 and F3016 Testing Standards
F2656 and F3016 refer to the standard for crash testing security bollards.
ASTM crash testing must be conducted at an accredited facility. Without following the specific and strict criteria outlined below, a bollard can not be classified as crash rated.
F3016 S20 Crash Test
F2656 Testing Standards
F2656 tests are performed using a real vehicle weighing 15,000lbs that has been set up on a test course allowing it to reach speeds ranging from 30-50mph.
The criteria for the test vehicle are defined by the ASTM standard and include details such as vehicle class, center of gravity, tires, tire pressure and other variables that might affect the results of the crash test. The purpose of having such tightly controlled criteria is to ensure consistency across each and every crash test performed.
Based on the test results, the bollard will receive either an M30, M40 or an M50 rating.​
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M30 refers to a bollard that can stop a vehicle weighing 15,000lbs traveling at 30MPH
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M40 refers to a bollard that can stop a vehicle weighing 15,000lbs traveling at 40MPH
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M50 refers to a bollard that can stop a vehicle weighing 15,000lbs traveling at 50MPH
Penetration Maximum (P) is the allowable distance into the secure perimeter.
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P1 – ≤ 3.3ft
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P2 – ≈ 3.31 to 23.0ft
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P3 – ≈ 23.1 to 98.4ft
F2656 Crash Test
F3016 Testing Standards
F3016 tests are performed using a surrogate testing rig that is engineered to mimic the physical characteristics of a vehicle including weight, bumper height, built in bumper crumple zone and chassis rigidity.
Based on the test results, the bollard will receive an S10, S20, or S30 designation.
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S10 refers to a bollard that can stop a 5,000lbs vehicle traveling 10MPH.
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S20 refers to a bollard that can stop a 5,000lbs vehicle traveling 20 MPH.
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S30 refers to a bollard that can stop a 5,000lbs vehicle traveling 30 MPH.
Surrogate Penetration Maximum (P) is the allowable distance into the secure perimeter.
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P1 – ≤ 0 < 1 ft.
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P2 – 1 to < 4 ft.
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P3 – Failure
F3016 S10 Crash Test