ASTM F717-89(2006)

Standard Specification for Football Helmets

ABSTRACT
This specification covers shock absorption requirements for new and reconditioned football helmets for use in competitive play and practice. The parts of the helmet that will be in contact with the head should not be made of materials that are known to cause irritation or disease. The helmet, as tested, should have no rigid external projections greater than the specified dimension and any faceguard or faceguard hardware installed in the helmet must be removed prior to testing. All allowable external projections should be smooth and rounded while all internal rigid projections that can contact the wearer's head should be adequately protected by cushioning or force spreading. Internal shock-absorbing helmet components should not become detached or loose during impact tests or show any permanent deformation or physical damage.
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 F 429 and establishes requirements for construction, materials, visibility, and labeling.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2006
• 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

• Replaces: ASTM F717-89(2000) - Standard Specification for Football Helmets
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2006
• Replaced By: ASTM F717-10 - Standard Specification for Football Helmets (Withdrawn 2017)
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2010

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: F717 – 89 (Reapproved 2006)
Standard Specification for
Football Helmets
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF717;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) 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 3.1.1 reference index—the manufacturer’s recommended
dimension from the lowest point of the helmet face opening to
1.1 Thisspecificationcoversnewandreconditionedfootball
the basic plane of a reference headform, both points located on
helmets intended for use in competitive play and practice with
the median plane of the helmet.
particular reference to shock attenuation requirements.
3.2 Fordescriptionsofothertermsusedinthisspecification,
1.2 This specification establishes shock absorption require-
refer to Test Method F429.
mentsofcompletehelmetswhentestedinaccordancewithTest
Method F429 and establishes requirements for construction,
4. Materials and Manufacture
materials, visibility, and labeling.
4.1 The materials used in those parts of the helmet which
2. Referenced Documents contact the head shall not be of a type known to cause irritation
or disease. Paints, glues, and finishes used in manufacture shall
2.1 ASTM Standards:
be compatible with materials used in the helmet shell and
F429 Test Method for Shock-Attenuation Characteristics of
shock absorption system.
Protective Headgear for Football
4.2 The helmet, as tested, shall have no rigid external
3. Terminology
projections greater than ⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) in height, except for
faceguard; chin strap, nose bumper, or sweatband hardware.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Any faceguards or faceguard hardware installed on the helmet
must be removed prior to testing.
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F08 on Sports 4.2.1 All allowable external projections shall be smooth and
Equipment and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.53 on
rounded so as to minimize the potential of injury.
Headgear and Helmets.
4.3 Any internal rigid projections that can contact the
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2006. Published December 2006. Originally
wearer’s head during impact shall be protected by some means
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as F717 – 89 (2000).
DOI: 10.1520/F0717-89R06.
of cushioning or force spreading.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.4 The helmet shall provide peripheral vision clearance of
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book
...