VECTOR Terms of Use

Effective date: August 2026 · Version: v1.0

These Terms of Use ("Terms") are a binding agreement between you ("User," "you") and PNH Security Engineering Consultants ("PNH," "we") governing your access to and use of the VECTOR vehicle vector analysis application, associated documentation, and generated outputs (collectively, the "Service"). By creating an account, checking the acceptance box, or using the Service, you accept these Terms. If you are accepting on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have authority to bind that organization.

A-1. Nature of the Service. VECTOR is a software instrument that performs physics-based vehicle dynamics calculations pursuant to the published PNH VVA-M-01 methodology, referencing ASTM F2656/F2656M, ASTM F3016/F3016M, UFC 4-022-01/-02, and U.S. Department of State SD-STD-02.01. The Service is an engineering screening and analysis tool: it computes a required barrier impact rating from user-supplied scenario inputs. The Service is not a professional engineering service, does not create an engineer–client or consultant–client relationship, and its outputs do not constitute engineering advice, an engineering certification, a professional opinion, or a sealed or stamped engineering document. Use of the Service is not a substitute for evaluation by a qualified engineer of record.

A-2. User responsibility for inputs and outputs. All results produced by the Service are computed exclusively from inputs you select and supply — including vehicle class, surface condition, approach geometry, impact angle, entry speed, driver-utilization factor, and setback. You are solely responsible for (a) the accuracy, completeness, and site-fidelity of your inputs; (b) verifying that the modeled scenario reasonably represents actual site conditions and the applicable design-basis threat; (c) the interpretation and application of any output; and (d) compliance with all codes, standards, criteria, and contractual requirements applicable to your project. Outputs are only as valid as the inputs from which they are computed.

A-3. No control over use; assumption of risk. VECTOR is an engineering tool based on physics-based vehicle dynamics. PNH has no knowledge of, and exercises no control over, the sites, projects, or purposes to which you apply the Service, and PNH has no control over the use, misuse, or abuse of the Service or its outputs by any User or third party. You assume all risk arising from your use of the Service and from any decision, design, specification, procurement, installation, or other action taken or not taken in reliance on its outputs.

A-4. What the Service does not do. The Service does not (a) certify, warrant, or predict the structural performance of any barrier, bollard, or vehicle security device — performance is established solely by full-scale crash testing to the applicable standard and by the device manufacturer's certified test data; (b) verify site conditions, surveys, or as-built geometry; (c) select, design, or approve any specific product; or (d) address barrier foundation, anchorage, or structural response, which are governed by the applicable standard and project engineering.

A-5. Acceptable use. You may use the Service solely for lawful protective-design, security-engineering, planning, procurement-support, research, and educational purposes. You shall not use the Service or its outputs to plan, facilitate, or carry out any unlawful act, including any act intended to harm persons or property. You shall not reverse engineer, decompile, scrape, probe, or attempt to extract the Service's computational methods, constants, or report generation; circumvent access or entitlement controls; resell or provide service-bureau access without a written PNH agreement; or remove or alter watermarks, identity stamps, or proprietary notices from any output. PNH may suspend or terminate access for violation of this section.

A-6. Accounts, subscriptions, and payment. Access requires an account with a verified email address and, for non-evaluation use, an active subscription or applicable credit. Payments are processed by Stripe, Inc.; PNH does not receive or store your full payment card details. Subscriptions renew automatically until canceled; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. Except as expressly stated in these Terms (including §A-9) or required by law, fees are non-refundable. Evaluation ("Specimen") outputs are watermarked and are not for submission or reliance.

A-7. Intellectual property. The Service, the VVA-M-01 methodology, the VECTOR name and marks, report formats, and all underlying software are proprietary to PNH and protected by law. Subject to these Terms and payment of applicable fees, PNH grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the Service and to use reports you generate for your internal business and project purposes. You own your scenario inputs. You grant PNH a limited license to process your inputs to operate the Service and to retain usage records for audit, support, and abuse prevention.

A-8. Reports; identity watermarking. Each generated report is stamped with the licensee identity and issue date for traceability. Standard-tier reports are generated automatically without review by any PNH personnel and carry no signature. Engineer-Reviewed reports are governed additionally by §A-9.

A-9. Engineer-Reviewed & Signed reports. Where offered, you may request an Engineer-Reviewed & Signed version of a report for an additional fee. (a) The request transmits your scenario, results, and draft report to PNH for review by a PNH protective design engineer. (b) The review is limited in scope to the reasonableness of the submitted inputs on their face and the correct application of the VVA-M-01 methodology; it does not include site visits, surveys, verification of site conditions, or independent development of the design-basis threat, unless separately engaged in writing. (c) PNH may, in its sole professional judgment, sign and issue the report, request changes, or decline to sign; if PNH declines, the review fee will be refunded and no signed report will issue. (d) A signed report reflects the reviewer's professional review within the stated scope; it is not a construction document and, unless expressly stated on its face, is not a sealed or stamped engineering document. (e) Target turnaround is 2 business days from submission or resubmission; turnaround is a service target, not a guaranteed term.

A-10. Disclaimer of warranties. THE SERVICE AND ALL OUTPUTS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE," WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PNH DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ACCURACY, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE OPERATION. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM PNH OR THROUGH THE SERVICE CREATES ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY STATED IN THESE TERMS.

A-11. Limitation of liability. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW: (a) NEITHER PNH NOR ITS PRINCIPALS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, ENGINEERS, CONTRACTORS, OR LICENSORS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, OR GOODWILL, OR FOR ANY PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SERVICE OR ANY OUTPUT, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, OR ANY OTHER THEORY, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES; AND (b) PNH'S TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNTS YOU PAID TO PNH FOR THE SERVICE IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM. THE FOREGOING LIMITATIONS APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY LIMITED REMEDY. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain exclusions or limitations; in such jurisdictions, PNH's liability is limited to the greatest extent permitted by law.

A-12. Indemnification. You shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless PNH and its principals, officers, employees, engineers, contractors, and licensors from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to (a) your inputs; (b) your use, misuse, or inability to use the Service or any output; (c) your violation of these Terms or of applicable law; or (d) any project, design, specification, installation, or incident in connection with which the Service or any output was used.

A-13. Modifications; availability. PNH may modify the Service, pricing, and these Terms; material changes will be notified through the Service or by email, and continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance. PNH may suspend the Service for maintenance or security. PNH does not warrant continuous availability.

A-14. Governing law; disputes. These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict-of-laws rules. [Counsel to confirm venue/forum and whether to adopt an arbitration clause and class-action waiver.] If any provision is held unenforceable, the remainder continues in effect.

A-15. Entire agreement. These Terms, together with any written PNH license or services agreement, constitute the entire agreement regarding the Service and supersede prior discussions. Section headings are for convenience only.

Contact: PNH Security Engineering Consultants · pnhsec.com · pnhsec@pnhsec.com · +1-818-253-9557