ASTM F1849-23

Standard Specification for Helmets Used in Ice Speed Skating (Long Track) and Short Track Speed Ice Skating (Not to Include Hockey)

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the performance requirements for helmets used by short track speed ice skaters (excluding hockey). The performance requirements to which the helmets shall conform include those for the headform, retention system, impact sites and projections, and impact schedule.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers performance requirements for helmets used by long track and short track speed ice skaters (excluding hockey). This specification recognizes the desirability of lightweight construction and ventilation; however, it is a performance standard and is not intended to restrict design.  
1.2 All testing and requirements of this specification shall be in accordance with Test Methods F1446, except where noted herein.  
1.3 Partial utilization of this specification is prohibited. Any statement of compliance with this specification must be a certification that the headgear meets all of the requirements of the specification in their entirety. A headgear that fails to meet any one of the requirements of this specification is considered to have failed the specification, and shall not be sold with any indication that it meets parts of the specification.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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: 31-Oct-2023
• ICS: 13.340.20 - Head protective equipment
• Technical Committee: F08 - Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities
• Drafting Committee: F08.53 - Headgear and Helmets

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F1849-18 - Standard Specification for Helmets Used in Short Track Speed Ice Skating (Not to Include Hockey)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023

Overview

ASTM F1849-23 is the internationally recognized standard specification for helmets used in ice speed skating-specifically for long track and short track speed ice skaters, excluding hockey players. Developed by ASTM International, this standard outlines rigorous performance and safety requirements for helmets, focusing on areas such as headform coverage, retention systems, impact resistance, projections, and impact test protocols. Adhering to ASTM F1849-23 ensures that helmets used in competitive and recreational ice speed skating provide robust head protection while maintaining lightweight construction and adequate ventilation.

Key Topics

• Helmet Scope and Coverage

  • Applicable to long track and short track speed ice skating helmets
  • Specifically excludes hockey helmets
  • Recognizes the benefits of lightweight materials and ventilation without limiting design innovation

• Performance Requirements

  • Headform fit and dimensions based on standardized measurements
  • Secure retention system to ensure helmet stability during impact and movement
  • Strict rules on projections to minimize internal and external injury risks

• Testing Methods

  • All tests aligned with ASTM F1446: standard test methods for helmets and protective headgear
  • Performance verification includes impact testing with flat and skate blade anvils at specified velocities and drop heights
  • Retention system and shell/liner combination evaluated with multiple samples under varying temperature and humidity conditions

• Certification and Compliance

  • Helmets must meet all criteria set in the standard; partial compliance is not permitted
  • Labels and warnings must clearly state helmet use for ice speed skating (excluding hockey)
  • Full certification required for manufacturer claims of compliance

Applications

• Competitive Ice Speed Skating

  • Enforced in official long track and short track speed skating events to protect athletes from head injuries due to falls or collisions
  • Facilitates fair competition by requiring standardized, certified protective gear for all participants

• Recreational Ice Skating Safety

  • Used as a guideline by skating clubs, rinks, and rental facilities to select helmets for non-hockey ice skating activities
  • Promotes head safety for recreational skaters of all ages, helping to reduce concussion risks and traumatic head injuries

• Helmet Manufacturers and Retailers

  • Provides clear, enforceable criteria for product development, testing, and marketing
  • Ensures products labeled for speed ice skating are reliably protective and compliant with global safety expectations

Related Standards

• ASTM F1446 - Test Methods for Equipment and Procedures Used in Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Protective Headgear: Specifies testing protocols referenced throughout ASTM F1849-23.
• ISO/EN Helmet Standards - Internationally recognized helmet standards for other sports, which may inform or complement the requirements in F1849-23.
• WTO TBT Principles - Developed in alignment with WTO guidelines for international standards, ensuring ASTM F1849-23 is widely accepted and applicable.

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Keywords: ice speed skating helmet standard, ASTM F1849-23, protective headgear, speed skating safety, helmet certification, helmet impact testing, retention system, competitive skating helmet

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: F1849 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Helmets Used in Ice Speed Skating (Long Track) and Short
Track Speed Ice Skating (Not to Include Hockey)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1849; 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.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This specification covers performance requirements for
F1446 Test Methods for Equipment and Procedures Used in
helmets used by long track and short track speed ice skaters
Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Protective
(excluding hockey). This specification recognizes the desirabil-
Headgear
ity of lightweight construction and ventilation; however, it is a
performance standard and is not intended to restrict design.
3. Labels and Warnings
1.2 All testing and requirements of this specification shall
3.1 Labels and warnings shall meet the requirements of Test
be in accordance with Test Methods F1446, except where noted
Methods F1446.
herein.
3.2 Labels and warnings shall have the words “For long
1.3 Partial utilization of this specification is prohibited. Any
track and short track speed ice skating (excluding hockey)”
statement of compliance with this specification must be a
inscribed on one of the interior permanent labels.
certification that the headgear meets all of the requirements of
3.3 Headgear designed to comply with this and other
the specification in their entirety. A headgear that fails to meet
standards may proclaim uses as certified by the manufacturer.
any one of the requirements of this specification is considered
to have failed the specification, and shall not be sold with any
4. Marking the Test Line
indication that it meets parts of the specification.
4.1 The test line is shown in Fig. 1 and shall be marked in
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
accordance with Test Methods F1446.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
5. Conditioning and Number of Samples
standard.
5.1 Conditioning shall be in accordance with Test Methods
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
F1446.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.2 The test requires a minimum of four samples of each
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- shell/liner combination.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
6. Retention System Testing
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
6.1 Retention system tests shall be performed before impact
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
testing.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
6.2 The ambient helmet shall be subjected to the positional
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
stability (roll-off) test in accordance with Test Methods F1446
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
using a 4-kg drop mass from a height of 0.6 m.
6.3 The retention system shall remain intact, and the helmet
must remain on the headform.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F08.53 on Headgear and Helmets. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2023. Published December 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as F1849 – 18. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F1849-23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International,
...

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: F1849 − 18 F1849 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Helmets Used in Ice Speed Skating (Long Track) and Short
Track Speed Ice Skating (Not to Include Hockey)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1849; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers performance requirements for helmets used by long track and short track speed ice skaters (excluding
hockey). This specification recognizes the desirability of lightweight construction and ventilation; however, it is a performance
standard and is not intended to restrict design.
1.2 All testing and requirements of this specification shall be in accordance with Test Methods F1446, except where noted herein.
1.3 Partial utilization of this specification is prohibited. Any statement of compliance with this specification must be a certification
that the headgear meets all of the requirements of the specification in their entirety. A headgear that fails to meet any one of the
requirements of this specification is considered to have failed the specification, and shall not be sold with any indication that it
meets parts of the specification.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 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.
1.6 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F1446 Test Methods for Equipment and Procedures Used in Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Protective Headgear
3. Labels and Warnings
3.1 Labels and warnings shall meet the requirements of Test Methods F1446.
3.2 Labels and warnings shall have the words “For long track and short track speed ice skating (excluding hockey)” inscribed on
one of the interior permanent labels.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F08.53 on Headgear and Helmets.
Current edition approved March 1, 2018Nov. 1, 2023. Published March 2018December 2023. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20122018
as F1849 – 07 (2012).F1849 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/F1849-18.10.1520/F1849-23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1849 − 23
3.3 Headgear designed to comply with this and other standards may proclaim uses as certified by the manufacturer.
4. Marking the Test Line
4.1 The test line is shown in Fig. 1 and shall be marked in accordance with Test Methods F1446.
5. Conditioning and Number of Samples
5.1 Conditioning shall be in accordance with Test Methods F1446.
5.2 The test requires a minimum of four samples of each shell/liner combination.
6. Retention System Testing
6.1 Retention system tests shall be performed before impact testing.
Headform Size Dimensions (mm)
X L/2 Y R S T U
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