In today's urban environment, the chances of vehicle intrusion are increasing, either intentionally or accidentally- which becomes a growing concern for architects and planners. From protecting pedestrian walkways and bustling storefronts to securing high-risk buildings, crash-rated bollards are serving as the major line of defense. These barriers are designed to perform under pressure, not just look the part; they are tested and certified to stop vehicles operated at high speed. The crash-rated barriers have two major standards, which include PAS 68 and IWA 14. In this PAS 68 vs IWA 14 guide, you will learn about everything regarding these major standards, such as how they work, how they are tested, where they are used and how to select the perfect solution for your project.
Crash-rated bollards are security posts that are designed to mitigate or stop the force of moving vehicles. Unlike traffic-directing or decorative bollards, crash-rated bollards undergo strict testing to determine their strength under crash conditions. Mainly, these bollards are required to provide protection between vehicles and the area behind them. Crash-rated bollards are a vital part of perimeter security and are recommended by antiterrorism guidelines and urban planning for vulnerable and high-risk sites.
PAS 68 Standard Bollards
PAS 68 is the UK's standard and security benchmark for hostile vehicle mitigation solutions. These are published by a British standards institution; PAS 68 is available publicly and provides in-depth impact specifications for vehicle security barrier systems, roadblockers and bollards.
Security professionals use PAS 68 to determine how products perform when hit by a vehicle at a known speed and weight. This gives confidence that the barrier or bollard is tested in real-life conditions that reflect real threats.
PAS 68 sits within wider vehicle mitigation guidance which includes standoff distance, site of design and operational planning. It is noted by the National Protective Security Authority that physical barriers should always be supported by wider security thinking, rather than viewed as the single solution.
The PAS 68 rating provides a clear impact performance rating and tests the product under controlled impact conditions. This takes into consideration impact angle, vehicle type, impact penetration, speed and debris impact. A transparent result is ensured instead of relying on unproven claims.
When a bollard carries the rating of PAS 68, buyers know that it has completed the testing and achieved a measured level of performance. This helps to prevent the situation where the organisations misunderstand what can be done by the barriers.
IWA 14 Standard Bollards
IWA 14 is the recognised and accepted test crash standard that is used globally for evaluating and testing vehicle security barriers, which include anti-ram barriers, bollards, road blockers and more.
This was sponsored by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure in the UK and was developed in close cooperation with many international agencies, military organisations and security companies.
The development of IWA standards allows those in a specific area or industry of expertise to develop and gain approval for a set of standards which are developed and designed to meet the professional need.
IWA 14 defines impact resistance requirements for various types of vehicle barriers and defines an accepted test procedure which is based on single-vehicle impact.
The test procedure also allows but does not compel the developers to test for pedestrian access by injury level and hostile element on vehicle occupants.
PAS 68 and IWA 14
It's impossible to compare PAS 68 vs. IWA 14 bollards to determine which one is better because both are outstanding crash testing standards that are used for evaluating and testing vehicle security barriers. PAS 68 is the British standard, and IWA 14 is the international standard, which is created to consolidate global specifications.
Final Thoughts!
Understanding the right certification is important to select the appropriate crash-rated perimeters. PAS 68 is the trusted keystone of the British security benchmarks, and IWA 14 blended these requirements into a recognised global standard. Both bollards are used for high security against real-world vehicle impact tests to ensure elite hostile vehicle mitigation. But the final decision depends on specific specifications and the project region. The next thought that comes to mind is which specification aligns better with the guidelines of local infrastructure. To clear that doubt, engage with the expert team at KJS Bollards to resolve it and get the exact answers to all the PAS 68 and IWA 14 questions to secure your site in an effective way.
