ASTM F1446-20

Standard Test Methods for Equipment and Procedures Used in Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Protective Headgear

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The purpose of these test methods is to provide reliable and repeatable tests for the evaluation of various types of protective headgear. Use of these test methods in conjunction with the specific individual performance standards is intended to reduce the likelihood of serious injury and death resulting from impacts to the head sustained by individuals participating in sports, recreation, and other leisure activities in which protective headgear is worn.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover laboratory equipment, procedures, and basic requirements pertinent to testing protective headgear. Deviations or additions, or both, to these test methods will be specified, as required, in individual ASTM performance standards.  
1.2 Requirements—The protective headgear is to be tested under specified environmental conditions for the following:  
1.2.1 Impact attenuation (the limiting of head acceleration) of the protective headgear, and  
1.2.2 Strength and stability of the retention system and its attachment to the protective headgear.  
1.2.3 Special tests for particular protective headgear uses will be specified in the individual performance standards to be used in conjunction with these test methods.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2020
• ICS: 13.340.20 - Head protective equipment
• Technical Committee: F08 - Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities
• Drafting Committee: F08.53 - Headgear and Helmets

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:F1446 −20 An American National Standard
Standard Test Methods for
Equipment and Procedures Used in Evaluating the
1
Performance Characteristics of Protective Headgear
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1446; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
These test methods specify equipment and procedures used for testing protective headgear.
Individual ASTM performance standards (standard specifications) will use these procedures and
equipment. Test conditions, pass-fail criteria, and other performance requirements will be specified in
the individual performance standards, tailored to the needs of a particular activity (for example,
bicycling, skateboarding, skiing, etc.).
These test methods were developed using resources in medical, scientific, mechanical engineering,
human factors, and biomechanical fields. However, it is recognized that it is not possible to write a
protective headgear performance standard that will result in headgear that can protect against injury
or death in all accidents. It is also recognized that serious injury or death can result from both low-
and high-energy impacts, even when protective headgear is worn.
These test methods incorporate aspects of other recognized headgear performance standards. They
draw from work done by others where appropriate for these test methods. These standards are
referenced within this standard test method. It should be noted that these test methods specify
laboratory tests of completed headgear to measure its ability to reduce head acceleration during use
and other selected parameters.
1. Scope responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.1 These test methods cover laboratory equipment,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
procedures, and basic requirements pertinent to testing protec-
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
tive headgear. Deviations or additions, or both, to these test
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
methods will be specified, as required, in individual ASTM
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
performance standards.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.2 Requirements—The protective headgear is to be tested
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
under specified environmental conditions for the following:
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.2.1 Impact attenuation (the limiting of head acceleration)
2. Referenced Documents
of the protective headgear, and
2
1.2.2 Strength and stability of the retention system and its
2.1 ASTM Standard:
attachment to the protective headgear.
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
1.2.3 Special tests for particular protective headgear uses
ASTM Test Methods
will be specified in the individual performance standards to be
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
used in conjunction with these test methods.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the F2220 Specification for Headforms
3
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 2.2 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard:
218 S7.1.8 Motorcycle Helmets
1 2
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and are the direct responsibility contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. ForAnnual Book ofASTM
of Subcommittee F08.53 on Headgear and Helmets. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2020. Published November 2020. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as F1446 – 15b. DOI: Available from National HighwayTraffic SafetyAdministration (NHTSA), 400
10.1520/F1446-20. 7th St., NW, Washington, DC 20590.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F1446−20
TABLE 1 Table for Reference
Terms for Reference Section Items to Consider for Each Method
Chin Bar Rigidity 12.9 Types defined: impact velocity, nominal drop height
Conditioning Environments 10 Typ
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F1446 − 15b F1446 − 20 An American National Standard
Standard Test Methods for
Equipment and Procedures Used in Evaluating the
1
Performance Characteristics of Protective Headgear
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1446; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
These test methods specify equipment and procedures used for testing protective headgear.
Individual ASTM performance standards (standard specifications) will use these procedures and
equipment. Test conditions, pass-fail criteria, and other performance requirements will be specified in
the individual performance standards, tailored to the needs of a particular activity (for example,
bicycling, skateboarding, skiing, etc.).
These test methods were developed using resources in medical, scientific, mechanical engineering,
human factors, and biomechanical fields. However, it is recognized that it is not possible to write a
protective headgear performance standard that will result in headgear that can protect against injury
or death in all accidents. It is also recognized that serious injury or death can result from both low-
and high-energy impacts, even when protective headgear is worn.
These test methods incorporate aspects of other recognized headgear performance standards. They
draw from work done by others where appropriate for these test methods. These standards are
referenced within this standard test method. It should be noted that these test methods specify
laboratory tests of completed headgear to measure its ability to reduce head acceleration during use
and other selected parameters.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods cover laboratory equipment, procedures, and basic requirements pertinent to testing protective headgear.
Deviations or additions, or both, to these test methods will be specified, as required, in individual ASTM performance standards.
1.2 Requirements—The protective headgear is to be tested under specified environmental conditions for the following:
1.2.1 Impact attenuation (the limiting of head acceleration) of the protective headgear, and
1.2.2 Strength and stability of the retention system and its attachment to the protective headgear.
1.2.3 Special tests for particular protective headgear uses will be specified in the individual performance standards to be used in
conjunction with these test methods.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and are the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F08.53 on Headgear and Helmets.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2015Oct. 1, 2020. Published January 2016November 2020. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as
F1446 – 15a.F1446 – 15b. DOI: 10.1520/F1446-15B.10.1520/F1446-20.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F1446 − 20
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standard:
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
F2220 Specification for Headforms
3
2.2 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard:
218 S7.1.8 Motorcycle Helmets
4
2.3 SAE Standard:
SAE J211 Recommended Practice for Instrumentation for Impact Tests—Requirements for Channel Class 1000
3. Reference Table
3.1 For references to these test methods, the standard terms for reference are listed in bold type in Table 1 with the items to
consider for each method. For conditions and anvils, use the standard term listed in T
...