What is BSI PAS 68 and why choose it?

PAS 68 is the Publicly Available Specification for vehicle security barriers. It was created in 2005 by the British Standards Institute (BSI), which the UK government appoints as the National Standards Body that helps improve the quality of products, services and systems. PAS 68 has played an integral role in shaping all the impact test standards implemented; you can learn more in our blog The Importance of British Standards. The latest revision was in 2013.

The Growing Demand for HVM Products

There has been a growing awareness of this standard in recent years due to the rise in vehicle-borne attacks in Europe. Tragic incidents in Paris, Stockholm, Barcelona and, closer to home, Westminster, London Bridge and Finsbury Park among others, have led to hundreds of people being killed and injured since 2016. As a result, there has been a greater demand for hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) products and the role they play in a site’s overall security strategy.

The main function of HVM systems is to prevent unauthorised vehicles from getting close to, or entering, a populated site – be it a public space, stadium, utility site or shopping centre. They are also appropriate for high-security premises such as Critical National Infrastructure sites.

PAS 68 Ratings for HVM Systems

PAS 68 is considered to be the security industry’s benchmark and de facto standard for HVM equipment, covering every form of vehicle barrier from fixed bollards to rising blockers, and street furniture to crash-rated fencing. It identifies the impact test methods, tolerances, test-vehicle type and vehicle performance criteria that need to be met.

Once an HVM system has been tested by the BSI, a PAS 68 rating is given, expressed as a sequence of letters, symbols and numbers. For example, the rating for the Linebacker® PAS 68 Crash Fence is V/7500(N3)/80/90:7.3/21.4. This rating can be broken down as follows:

• Test method = V (for vehicle)
• Mass and type of vehicle = 7500kg N3 type
• Test speed = 80kph
• Angle of impact = 90°
• Impact penetration = 7.3m
• Debris dispersion = 21.4m

It must be noted that the PAS 69 standard is equally important, as it supports PAS 68 by providing guidance on the installation of these high-security products.

The Range of PAS 68 Products by Jacksons Fencing

Bi Folding Speed Gate

Capable of blending in with any building or site perimeter line, this design provides discreet vehicle mitigation. This gate is ideally suited to shallow or utility-congested substructures.

Harrier Static PAS 68 Bollards

These are made from heavy gauge steel and hot-dip galvanised to provide a long-lasting security solution. They may be colour-coated or cloaked with a decorative stainless steel cover.

Automatic Crash Bollards

This hydraulic-operated solution is designed to protect areas where segregation, perimeter protection, anti-ram, demarcation and counter-terrorism are considerations. Each bollard can be operated separately.

Linebacker® PAS 68 Crash Fence

This is a cable crash fence capable of stopping a 7.5-tonne HGV travelling up to 50mph. The cable can be retrofitted to reinforce any existing security fencing.

Linebacker® PNR

A covert high-performance PAS 68 crash fence with the outward appearance of a traditional timber post and rail fencing system. The galvanised steel cables are almost completely obscured.

Crash Rated Shallow Mount Road Blocker

This is a high-security device installed in the ground which can be activated to prevent access to a site.

The many options available give architects and specifiers freedom to be creative in their use of special barriers and bollards. In a wider context, cities can be made stronger and more resilient to attacks with security barriers that are capable of withstanding direct impacts from vehicles. Whichever HVM system you consider, make sure it has been tested by the BSI and given a PAS 68 rating.