ASTM F2656/F2656M-23 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM F2656/F2656M-23 — Standard Test Method for Crash Testing of Vehicle Security Barriers. This test method defines procedures, vehicle impact conditions, and performance levels used to evaluate the crash-resistance and penetration performance of perimeter and entry-point vehicle security barriers (both passive and active).

Abstract

This standard provides a standardized range of vehicle impact conditions, designated test levels, and penetration-performance criteria so that agencies, designers, manufacturers, and test laboratories can select and certify perimeter and entry-point barriers appropriate to specified moving-vehicle threats. The method describes required test vehicles, impact speeds, instrumentation, test-site setup, acceptance criteria, and the reporting format for certification ratings.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 1 November 2023.
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 93.080.30 (Road equipment and installations); security/perimeter protection.
• Edition / version: F2656/F2656M − 23 (2023 revision).
• Number of pages: 23.

Scope

The scope of ASTM F2656/F2656M-23 covers crash-testing methods and performance classifications for vehicle security barriers used at perimeters and entry points to protect sites and structures from hostile vehicle impact. The standard prescribes standard test vehicles and masses, impact conditions and speeds, instrumentation and data-acquisition requirements, allowable test tolerances, penetration/containment acceptance levels, and requirements for test reporting and certification. It applies to a wide range of barrier types (bollards, continuous walls, gates, planters, surface-mounted systems, freestanding barriers, and active/operable barriers) and supports assigning performance ratings used by specifying authorities.

Key topics and requirements

• Designation of test levels and performance ratings to represent different vehicle-mass and impact-speed threat conditions.
• Specification of standardized test vehicles, masses, and allowable tolerances for repeatability.
• Defined impact speeds, run-up distances, and test-site layout requirements.
• Instrumentation and data-acquisition requirements (velocity measurement, accelerometers, video documentation, etc.).
• Penetration, containment, and residual-trajectory acceptance criteria and how they map to certification levels.
• Test reporting format and required documentation for certification and repeatability.
• Guidance for conversion and use of both SI (metric) and inch–pound units (F2656/F2656M dual-unit designation).

Typical use and users

Typical users include barrier and security-product manufacturers, independent crash test laboratories, security and risk consultants, government and diplomatic facility security teams, architects and site designers, infrastructure owners/operators, and procurement/specification authorities who need to evaluate or require certified perimeter and access-control barrier solutions.

Related standards

Closely related documents include ISO 22343-1 (Vehicle security barriers — performance and test methods, 2023 edition) and national specifications such as PAS 68 and IWA 14-1 (historical references; several jurisdictions updated or withdrew earlier specifications when ISO and ASTM revisions were published). ASTM F2656 remains one of the principal recognized crash‑test standards for perimeter barriers.

Keywords

vehicle security barriers, crash test, perimeter protection, bollards, anti-ram barriers, freestanding barriers, surface-mounted barriers, active barriers, penetration rating, ASTM F2656, barrier certification, impact test.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM F2656/F2656M-23 is the ASTM International standard test method that specifies how to perform and document crash tests of vehicle security barriers and how to assign performance ratings based on containment/penetration outcomes.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers test-level designations, required test vehicles and masses, impact speeds and conditions, instrumentation and data collection, test-site layout and tolerances, acceptance criteria for penetration/containment, and reporting/certification procedures.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Barrier manufacturers, independent test laboratories, security consultants, facility and infrastructure owners, architects/designers, and procurement/specification authorities use the standard to specify, test, and validate vehicle barrier performance.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The current published revision is F2656/F2656M-23, issued 1 November 2023; it supersedes earlier editions (for example the 2020 edition) and is the active ASTM edition as of its publication.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a standalone ASTM test method (dual-designation F2656/F2656M to indicate inch–pound and SI units) but is part of the broader family of standards and specifications used for hostile-vehicle-mitigation (HVM) testing and performance classification; it is commonly referenced alongside ISO 22343-1 and national PAS/IWA guidance where applicable.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Vehicle crash test, perimeter barriers, bollards, anti-ram, containment, penetration, certification, impact speed, test vehicle, ASTM F2656.