ASTM F717-89(2000)

Standard Specification for Football Helmets

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers new and reconditioned football helmets intended for use in competitive play and practice with particular reference to shock attenuation requirements.  
1.2 This specification establishes shock absorption requirements of complete helmets when tested in accordance with Test Method F429 and establishes requirements for construction, materials, visibility, and labeling.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jun-2000
• ICS: 13.340.20 - Head protective equipment
• ICS: 97.220.40 - Outdoor and water sports equipment
• Technical Committee: F08 - Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities
• Drafting Committee: F08.53 - Headgear and Helmets

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM F717-89(2006) - Standard Specification for Football Helmets
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2006

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
An American National Standard
Designation: F 717 – 89 (Reapproved 2000)
Standard Specification for
Football Helmets
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 717; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This specification addresses shock absorption requirements of football helmets. The acceleration
limits described herein were guided by the state-of-the-art technology concerning mechanisms and
tolerance of head injury and by the performance of current football helmets, and should not be used
as limitations for human tolerance or as limits of acceptance for other test procedures.
In addition to the minimum performance tests and inspection procedures described, it is the intent
of this specification that the same acceleration limits apply for velocities lower than that required in
the impact test, and at all helmet locations above the reference plane.
Other intentions that were not amenable to testing or inspection are offered as guidelines: (1) the
chin strap and cup should be attached to the helmet in a manner to enable the helmet to remain in its
normal position on the wearer’s head during play and impact conditions; (2) the physical
characteristics of materials used in construction of the helmet should retain their shock-absorbing
characteristics under the influence of aging, use, or exposure to typical environmental conditions.
1. Scope 3.2 Fordescriptionsofothertermsusedinthisspecification,
refer to Test Method F 429.
1.1 Thisspecificationcoversnewandreconditionedfootball
helmets intended for use in competitive play and practice with
4. Materials and Manufacture
particular reference to shock attenuation requirements.
4.1 The materials used in those parts of the helmet which
1.2 This specification establishes shock absorption require-
contact the head shall not be of a type known to cause irritation
mentsofcompletehelmetswhentestedinaccordancewithTest
or disease. Paints, glues, and finishes used in manufacture shall
Method F 429 and establishes requirements for construction,
be compatible with materials used in the helmet shell and
materials, visibility, and labeling.
shock absorption system.
2. Referenced Documents 4.2 The helmet, as tested, shall have no rigid external
projections greater than ⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) in height, except for
2.1 ASTM Standards:
faceguard; chin strap, nose bumper, or sweatband hardware.
F 429 TestMethodforShock-AttenuationCharacteristicsof
Any faceguards or faceguard hardware installed on the helmet
Protective Headgear for Football
must be removed prior to testing.
3. Terminology
4.2.1 All allowable external projections shall be smooth and
rounded so as to minimize the potential of injury.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
4.3 Any internal rigid projections that can contact the
3.1.1 reference index—the manufacturer’s recommended
wearer’s head during impact shall be protected by some means
dimension from the lowest point of the helmet face opening to
of cushioning or force spreading.
the basic plane of a reference headform, both points located on
4.4 The helmet shall provide peripheral vision clearance of
the median plane of the helmet.
at least 105° to each side of the median plane when the helmet
is adjusted to the reference headform with the reference index.
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F08 on Sports
Equipment and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.53 on
5. Impact Requirements
Headgear.
5.1 Each helmet model presented for impact testing shall be
Current edition approved Fe
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