PSSA Newsletter - Issue 31

– 3 – ISSUE 31  | NEWS Rated Products - PSSA Code of Conduct Crash testing of products is an essential part of all HVM development however the physical dimensions required of HVM products can often vary from the specific size tested. While the preference by clients will always tend to be for a product that has been tested at the size specified, it is not practical or economical to test every product to every conceivable size. This has led to the reasonable practice of interpolating impact test results for products that have been modified from the original design that had been rated as a result of an impact test. After some recent confusion over what is acceptable with regard to the interpolation of physical impact test results and post-test product modifications, PSSA in conjunction with relevant authorities and consultants have produced a code of conduct for “rated” products available here on the PSSA website While it is more than likely that all PSSA members already comply with the best practice guidance on impact test results interpolation, the document has been created in line with one of the fundamental PSSA aims - to improve both the quality and professionalism of products and services provided by the industry as a whole. The code covers the process to achieve a performance classification for any post-test changes to not only the products but also changes to foundations to suit site conditions. As part of the design method stipulated in the standards, for a performance classification based on a modified design to be independently assessed, we have currently stipulated RSES Principle HVM specialist Engineers for this assessment work. We are however aware that there will be specialist engineers in other countries which have an equivalent level of qualification. PSSA intends to issue a list of suggested RSES Principle HVM specialist Engineers that have expressed an interest in this assessment work and would welcome expressions of interest from relevant parties for inclusion on the list. In addition to the performance classification process, the code also details how the product can be marketed/ sold and what information must be given to the customer to ensure that the test status of the product being supplied/ installed is clear and not open to interpretation. On a separate but linked note, the PSSA have been made aware that there are a number of products on the market that are claiming compliance with the three main impact test standards (IWA14-1, PAS68, ASTM F 2656) on the basis of a single impact test. Whilst it is acknowledged that there is a crossover weight where all three test standards would converge (7350kg), the point of convergence is at the very upper limit of tolerance for one standard and the very lower limit of tolerance of another. These tolerances are absolute within the relevant standards and must allow for any tolerance in weighing machines used. This means that a claimed test weight of 7350kg would actually be 7350kg +/- the scale tolerance which would lead to both the PAS68 and ASTM F2656 tests potentially being outside their respective tolerance and therefore void tests. We would encourage manufacturers and test houses to undertake impact tests using a maximum of two test standards per test (IWA14- 1 and either ASTM F2656 or PAS68) using the correct vehicle types and staying well within the weight tolerances for the respective tests. Further information on test standards can be found on the CPNI website via the following link Hostile Vehicle Mitigation | CPNI ( 4th heading down on the left)