About Crash-Ratings
What Are Crash-Ratings?
Crash-rating certification involves comprehensive testing protocols, including vehicle speed, penetration depth, and structural integrity assessments. These tests simulate real-world scenarios to ensure the barriers can withstand intentional ramming attempts.
Understanding Crash-Ratings
How Are Ratings Determined?
1
Vehicle Weight
Example: up to 15,000 lbs
2
Vehicle Speed
Example: 50 mph
3
Penetration Depth
Example: Less than 3 feet
Crash-Rating Standards
Who Sets Rating Standards?
ASTM
Vehicle code
Small Car - up to 2,430 lbs (SC Rating)
Full Size - up to 4,630 lbs (FS Rating)
Pickup Truck - up to 5,070 lbs (PU Rating)
Standard Truck - up to 15,000 lbs (M)
Class 7 Cab - up to 15,873 lbs (C7 Rating)
Heavy Vehicle - up to 65,000 lbs (H Rating)
Tested speed
30 mph (30 Rating)
40 mph (40 Rating)
50 mph (50 Rating)
P = Rating for penetration
Less than 3 feet (P1 Rating)
3 to 20 feet (P2 Rating)
20 to 50 feet (P3 Rating)
Department of State
K = Rating for kinetic energy
15,000 LBS @ 30 mph = 450,900 ft-lbs (K4 Rating)
15,000 LBS @ 40 mph = 801,600 ft-lbs (K8 Rating)
15,000 LBS @ 50 mph = 1,252,500 ft-lbs (K12 Rating)
L = Rating for penetration
Less than 3 feet (L3 Rating)
3 to 20 feet (L2 Rating)
20 to 50 feet (L1 Rating)
Tested Speed
30 mph (30 Rating)
40 mph (40 Rating)
50 mph (50 Rating)
Crash-Rating Comparison
M-Rating vs K-Rating
*Please note ASTM and DOS ratings are different and NOT interchangeable.
