ASTM F1446-01

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

SCOPE
1.1 These test methods describe 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 performance standard specifications.
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.
1.2.2 Strength of the retention system and its attachment.
1.2.3 Special tests for particular protective headgear uses will be specified in the individual standard specifications 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jun-2001
• 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)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: F 1446 – 01
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 F 1446; 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
These test methods specify procedures and equipment used for testing protective headgear.
Individual performance standards (standard specifications) will use these procedures and equipment.
Impact velocities, pass-fail criteria, and other performance requirements will be specified in individual
standard specifications, tailored to the needs of a particular activity (for example, bicycling,
skateboarding, skiing, etc.).
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. Acknowledging these limitations, these test methods were developed using
resources in medical, scientific, mechanical engineering, human factors, and biomechanical fields.
These test methods incorporate many aspects of other recognized headgear performance standards.
They draw from work done by others where appropriate for these test methods. These standards may
be referenced. It should be noted that these test methods specify a laboratory test of completed
headgear to measure its ability to reduce head acceleration when impacting various shaped objects.
1. Scope standards from the following U.S. and foreign standards
organizations: DOT, ASTM, ANSI, Snell, E22, BSI, ASA, SP1,
1.1 These test methods cover laboratory equipment, proce-
and CSA.
dures, and basic requirements pertinent to testing protective
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2.2 ISO/DIS Standard:
headgear. Deviations or additions, or both, to these test
6220-1983 Headforms for Use in the Testing of Protective
methods will be specified, as required, in individual perfor-
Helmets
mance standard specifications.
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2.3 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard:
1.2 Requirements—The protective headgear is to be tested
218 S7.1.8 Motorcycle Helmets
under specified environmental conditions for the following:
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2.4 SAE Standard:
1.2.1 Impact attenuation (the limiting of head acceleration)
J211 Recommended Practice for Instrumentation for Im-
of the protective headgear.
pact Tests—Requirements for Channel Class 1000, Octo-
1.2.2 Strength of the retention system and its attachment.
ber 1988
1.2.3 Special tests for particular protective headgear uses
will be specified in the individual standard specifications to be
3. Terminology
used in conjunction with these test methods.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.1 basic plane, n—(Frankfort Horizontal Plane) an ana-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tomical plane that includes the superior rim of the external
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
auditory meatus (upper edge of the external openings of the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
ear) and the inferior margin of the orbit (the lowest point of the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
floor of the eye socket). The ISO headforms are marked with a
2. Referenced Documents plane corresponding to this basic plane (see Figs. 1 and 2).
2.1 These test methods incorporate or reference sections of
2
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
Floor, New York, NY 10036.
1 3
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Available from Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety
Sports Equipment and Facilities and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Administration, Office of Vehicle Safety Standards, 400 7th St. S.W., Washington,
F08.53 on Headgear and Helmets. DC 20590.
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Current edition approved June 10, 2001. Published September 2001. Originally Available from Society of Automotive Engineers, 400 Commonwealth Dr.,
published as F 1446 – 93. Last previous edition F 1446 – 00. Warrendale, PA 15096.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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F 1446
3.1.4 field of vision, n—angle of vision as measured on the
reference headform (upward, downward, peripheral).
3.1.5 headform size selection, n—helmets shall be tested on
the appropriate test headform, or two siz
...