In the realm of security fencing, understanding the nuances of crash rating systems is pivotal for selecting the right barrier to protect your project throughout its lifetime. Whether you're safeguarding a commercial property, a military installation, or an asset storage facility such as data centers or solar farms, the integrity and reliability of your fencing are paramount. Let’s delve into the intricacies of crash rating systems and their critical role in the domain of high-security fencing.
If you are facing a project with high security standards, let the experts at Hurricane Fence help you achieve them. With over 30 years of experience in providing high security and crash-rated solutions to our customers across the country, we are sure to help create a solution to fit your project perfectly. To speak with one of our fencing experts on how we can assist, please call our main office at 804-353-6030 or send us a request online.
Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (ATFP)
In the late ’90s, the Department of State (DOS) began developing Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (ATFP) construction standards. These standards were established in response to the worsening war on terror. After 9/11, the DOS was forced to take a long look and detailed review of the country’s safety and security standards. Once bolstering security standards became one of the Department of State’s most time-sensitive priorities, we imagine that fencing must have seemed like a natural place to start.
Since then, and with the help of the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM), many new testing methods, materials, technologies, and best practices have been developed and put into use across the country and at military installations around the world.
Crash Rating Systems
Crash ratings determine how well fencing, gates, and other barriers can withstand a head-on vehicle attack. There are two major crash ratings used today. K Ratings are used more widely and M Ratings. Both make use of a standardized test vehicle weighing 15,000 lbs and measure both the speed of the vehicle at impact, as well as what distance the vehicle was able to penetrate past the barrier.
| K Ratings In this system, K ratings represent vehicle Speed, where its corresponding L rating represents the distance the test vehicle penetrated beyond the barrier. K4 - Vehicle Traveled at 30 MPH K8 - Vehicle Traveled at 40 MPH K12 - Vehicle Traveled at 50 MPH L1 - Vehicle Penetrated Between 20’ - 50’ L2 - Vehicle Penetrated Between 3’ - 20' L3 - Vehicle Penetrated Less Than 3’ Given this scale, the strongest K-rated fence would be labeled as K12:L3– meaning the test vehicle traveled at 50 MPH and was only able to penetrate the barrier less than 3’. | M Ratings In this system, M ratings represent vehicle Speed, where its corresponding P rating represents the distance the test vehicle penetrated beyond the barrier. M30 - Vehicle Traveled at 30 MPH M40 - Vehicle Traveled at 40 MPH M50 - Vehicle Traveled at 50 MPH P4 - Vehicle Penetrated More Than 98’ P3 - Vehicle Penetrated Between 23’ - 98’ P2 - Vehicle Penetrated Between 3’ - 23’ P1 - Vehicle Penetrated Less Than 3’ Given this scale, the strongest M-rated fence would be labeled as M50:P1– meaning the test vehicle traveled at 50 MPH and was only able to penetrate the barrier less than 3’. |
Barriers
Barriers fall into one of two categories: passive and active. Active barriers, by definition, have a moving element, while passive barriers are unmoving. A mixture of both should be used to attain the highest possible level of security.
Unlike fencing & gates which achieve their crash ratings through cable and/or beam reinforcements, barriers (as a rule) achieve their crash ratings through enhanced materials & foundations.
Active Barriers
Active barriers, as stated above, have a moving element to them. This includes options like pop-up bollards, drop arm barriers, turnstiles, and operated wedge barriers. Where active barriers excel is flexibility, in that you can stop the flow of traffic and or pedestrians at the push of a button. These solutions are great for personnel and vehicle access alike.
Passive Barriers
Passive barriers on the other hand are a much broader subject. Of course, you have solutions like jersey barriers and stationary bollards, but there are also several other solutions available to you.
Interestingly, distance and terrain can both be considered passive barriers. To qualify as a barrier, they must be set up in a way that helps to restrict the flow and speed of traffic.
For example, if there is too little distance for a vehicle to reach attack speeds, then that distance may work as a barrier. A further example may be placing jersey barriers in a maze-like configuration, forcing vehicles to slow to a speed that would render a ramming attack ineffective.
Crash Rating Terminology to Know
- Tested Materials
As a buyer, materials labeled “tested” without any further markings should raise some alarm bells, and more often than not should be considered unsuitable for these applications. This is because manufacturers may label their products as “tested” even if the product failed the test entirely.
- Engineered Materials
Products with an “engineered” label of some kind means that the product has been designed, or engineered, to meet a specific rating standard. These products have not been tested, but through endless calculations and computer simulations, they do represent an equivalent to fully certified K or M barriers.
- ASTM F2656 Certified Materials
These materials are the best of the best. Products donning this certification have been rigorously tested by the ASTM and have achieved their K or M rating.
Helping You Meet High Security Standards
With over 30 years of experience in high security perimeter security solutions, the team at Hurricane Fence Co. is ready to help you meet your building project’s security needs. Whether you’re looking for crash rated fences, gates, or barriers, or just planning to add some extra security to your commercial property, we have the skills and experience needed to get the job done!
If you are looking for a fence company to handle your high security project, give us a call at 804-353-6030 or send us a request online and one of our fence professionals will reach out to you for further details!
