Notice for Anti Ram Ratings v8.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

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October 15, 2021

SPECIAL NOTICE:

U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security

Releases Guidance on Anti-Ram Barrier Performance Ratings

Abstract – This notice provides clarification to avoid improper labeling of barriers as “K-rated” and/or “DOS-rated.” U.S. Department of State barrier ratings (a.k.a.

“K ratings”) and ASTM F2656 barrier ratings are separate; passing a given test standard does not grant a rating or the presumption of a rating under another. “K ratings” extend only to the barrier model that was tested, and holding an ASTM F2656 rating does not convey the ability to market a barrier as “K-rated.” If a system holds an ASTM F2656 rating, do not report the ASTM rating without including the ASTM version (standard year), vehicle type (e.g. ‘M’), impact speed, and penetration rating (e.g. “P1”).

Background and Issue – The U.S. Department of State (DOS), Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) has a long-standing program to review anti-ram barriers.

Barriers that satisfy all Department requirements are placed on the DS-Approved Barriers List. maintained by the Physical Security Research and Development Section (DS/PSD/RD). The Department’s performance requirements and thus the acceptable ratings have evolved over time. Due to the program having such a long history – over thirty years – confusion has arisen over what is and is not a “rated barrier” per the U.S. Department of State.

What follows is a brief timeline of the various standards (see Figure 1), performance ratings and meanings (see Table 1), equivalency information, and marketing guidance, to inform barrier purchasers (both government and commercial) and barrier manufacturers and marketers.

Note: Other government agencies’ barrier requirements, such as the Department of Defense’s Approved Barriers List, are outside the scope of this notice. Other Department of State perimeter barrier requirements besides the as-tested physical security performance of anti-ram barriers, such as their installation, operation, maintenance and repair, lifecycle, and safety, are also outside the scope of this notice.

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Figure 1 Timeline for Anti-Ram Testing Standards Honored by U.S. Department of State

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Table 1 Ratings Honored by U.S. Department of State

Test Standard Rating Meaning Valid Test Date Range

SD-STD-2.01 K4-L3

K8-L3

K12-L3

Medium-duty truck* and cargo are stopped although vehicle partial penetration and/or barrier deflection of up to 3 feet are permitted

April 1985 thru March

SD-STD-02.01

Revision A

K4

K8

K12

Dynamic penetration of medium-duty truck* limited to one (1) meter beyond pre-impact inside edge of barrier for 30, 40, or 50 mph respectively

March 2003 thru December 2008

ASTM F2656-07 M30 P1

M40 P1

M50 P1

Dynamic penetration of medium-duty truck* limited to one (1) meter beyond the pre-test protected face of the barrier for 30, 40, or 50 mph respectively

August 2007 thru February 2017

ASTM F2656-15 M30 P1

M40 P1

M50 P1

Dynamic penetration of medium-duty truck* limited to one (1) meter beyond the pre-test protected face of the barrier for 30, 40, or 50 mph respectively

June 2015 thru June

ASTM F2656-18a M30 P1

M40 P1

M50 P1

Dynamic penetration of medium-duty truck* limited to one (1) meter beyond the pre-test protected face of the barrier for 30, 40, or 50 mph respectively

June 2018 thru April

ASTM F2656-20 M30 P1

M40 P1

M50 P1

Dynamic penetration of medium-duty truck* limited to one (1) meter beyond the pre-test attack face of the barrier for 30, 40, or 50 mph respectively

April 2020 thru present

*Table 1 Note: Test vehicle reference point for penetration measurement is front edge of cargo bed for SD-STD-02-01 Rev. A. For ASTM F2656-20, test vehicle reference point is the leading lower vertical edge of the cargo bed. This is in keeping with the rationale that an explosive-laden attack vehicle would be carrying the explosives in the truck’s cargo area. The test truck has been a diesel truck with a gross vehicle weight of 15,000 lb.

K-Ratings – There is no true equivalency between the SD-STD-02.01 and ASTM F2656 tests. For ratings issued under the SD-STD-02.01 (1985) and SD-STD-

02.01 Revision A (2003), each test was conducted with DS oversight. Unless a manufacturer’s barrier was tested under the SD-STD-02.01 (or Rev. A of the same) during the applicable test date window per Table 1, and the manufacturer has a test report and a DS certification letter documenting such, a rating under SD-STD-

02.01 (or Rev. A of the same) such as “K4” cannot be claimed. If a barrier holds a valid ASTM F2656 rating, that alone is not sufficient to market the barrier as “K-rated.” Further, K ratings extend only to the barrier model that was tested. If the manufacturer has an updated model, the rating does not automatically convey.

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Providing ASTM Ratings – For ratings issued under the ASTM F2656, a rating without an impact condition designation and a penetration rating is meaningless.

Impact conditions are covered in ASTM F2656-20 Table 1 Impact Condition Designations (i.e. ‘M’ designation) and penetration ratings are covered in ASTM F2656-20 Table 2 Penetration Ratings (i.e. “P1” penetration). ASTM ratings must have an ‘M’ designation and a “P1” penetration to be satisfactory for U.S.

Department of State overseas applications. ASTM F2656-20 Section 10.1.6 Evaluation states, “The ASTM classification shall include the standard year, vehicle type, impact speed, and penetration rating. Reporting or claiming an ASTM classification such as an M50 without a penetration rating is not a valid ASTM classification.” Although prior versions of the ASTM F2656 do not require this, providing part but not all of the rating information in marketing materials, e.g.

stating only that something is “M50” without providing the ‘P’ classification, is inherently misleading and should thus be avoided.

Compliance – Compliance with this Notice is mandatory for all manufacturers who wish to have their anti-ram products on the Department of State DS-Approved Barrier List.

Conclusion –Barriers should not be marketed as “K4,” “K8,” or “K12” unless they earned those ratings in accordance with Table 1 and have appropriate supporting documentation. If a barrier was tested under the older SD-STD-02.01 (1985) standard, because stating only the ‘K’ part of the rating without the ‘L’ portion is inherently confusing, the entire rating must be stated, e.g. “K4 L-3.” For barriers tested only under the ASTM F2656 standard, do not state any equivalency to ‘K’ ratings. If a barrier has an ASTM F2656 rating, for consideration for Department of State applications overseas, provide the entire qualification, including the standard year, vehicle type, impact speed, and penetration rating, e.g. “ASTM F2656-20 M50 P1.”