ASTM F2439-06
(Specification)Standard Specification for Headgear Used in Soccer
Standard Specification for Headgear Used in Soccer
ABSTRACT
This specification covers performance requirements for headgear used in soccer which are intended to reduce the forces reaching the impact area of the head. However, this specification does not address any injury that may rise from any type of impact that may occur during the play of soccer as the tests covered by this specification are laboratory simulation tests only and do not attempt in any way to recreate actual situations. Materials covered by this specification are test headforms consisting of Hybrid III adult male head and neck assembly and three types of anvils: steel post, headform, and molecular elastomer programmer (MEP). The headgear shall be conditioned in ambient, low temperature, high temperature, and water immersion conditions prior to shock attenuation impact and multiple impact tests. The tests shall involve three types of impact: head to forehead, head to goal post, and head to MEP impacts, and shall conform to the requirements specified.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification defines performance requirements for headgear used for participation in the sport of soccer. The technical requirements in this specification do not address the administrative requirements of soccer governing bodies, so it should not be assumed that any headgear satisfying this specification will be acceptable for use in sanctioned soccer events.
1.2 This specification is intended to reduce the forces from external physical sources reaching the defined impact area of the head in impacts that may occur in the sport of soccer. No headgear can provide protection against all impacts, foreseeable or not. This specification does not address the potential for injury from any type of impact. The tests specified in this specification are laboratory simulation tests only, and do not purport to create situations identical to the impacts that may occur during the playing of soccer.
1.3 All testing and requirements of this specification shall be in accordance with Test Methods F 1446, except where noted herein. In the event of a discrepancy between the requirements of this specification and those of Test Methods F 1446, this specification shall prevail.
1.4 Partial utilization of this specification is prohibited. Any statement of compliance with this specification shall be a certification that the headgear meets all of the requirements of this specification in its entirety. Headgear that fails to meet any one of the requirements of this specification is considered to have failed the specification and should not be sold with any indication that it meets parts of the specification.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.6 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.
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An American National Standard
Designation: F2439 – 06
Standard Specification for
Headgear Used in Soccer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2439; 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
Soccer is a sport with inherent risks. Participation in the sport implies acceptance of risk of injury.
Thisspecificationwasdevelopedtoaddressforcesofsomeoftheincidental(non-ball)headimpacts
that may occur while engaging in soccer.Although headgear satisfying this specification may provide
limited protection against heading impacts which are generally sub-concussive, heading impacts are
not addressed by this specification. In addition, the issue of multiple sub-concussive impacts is not
addressed here. Note–Protection provided by headgear satisfying this specification is not equivalent to
the protection provided by rigid “helmets” used in many other sports activities. Headgear that meets
these standard specifications may not provide significant protection in some head impact situations.
This specification is intended to be used with other standards and documents listed in the
Referenced Documents.
1. Scope one of the requirements of this specification is considered to
have failed the specification and should not be sold with any
1.1 This specification defines performance requirements for
indication that it meets parts of the specification.
headgear used for participation in the sport of soccer. The
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
technical requirements in this specification do not address the
standard.
administrative requirements of soccer governing bodies, so it
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
should not be assumed that any headgear satisfying this
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
specification will be acceptable for use in sanctioned soccer
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
events.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.2 This specification is intended to reduce the forces from
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
external physical sources reaching the defined impact area of
the head in impacts that may occur in the sport of soccer. No
2. Referenced Documents
headgear can provide protection against all impacts, foresee-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
able or not.This specification does not address the potential for
F1446 Test Methods for Equipment and Procedures Used in
injury from any type of impact. The tests specified in this
Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Protective
specification are laboratory simulation tests only, and do not
Headgear
purport to create situations identical to the impacts that may
2.2 Other Documents:
occur during the playing of soccer.
49 CFR Part 572, Subpart E Anthropometric Test Dummies
1.3 All testing and requirements of this specification shall
Procedures for Assembly, Disassembly, and Inspection
beinaccordancewithTestMethodsF1446,exceptwherenoted
(PADI) of the Hybrid III 50th Percentile Dummy’s Nine
herein. In the event of a discrepancy between the requirements
Accelerometer Array Head (NAAH) with Redundant
of this specification and those of Test Methods F1446, this
Head C. G. Accelerometers
specification shall prevail.
1.4 Partial utilization of this specification is prohibited.Any
3. Terminology
statement of compliance with this specification shall be a
3.1 Definitions:
certification that the headgear meets all of the requirements of
this specification in its entirety. Headgear that fails to meet any
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F08 on Sports contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Equipment and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.53 on Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Headgear and Helmets. the ASTM website.
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2006. Published January 2006. DOI: 10.1520/ Available from National HighwayTraffic SafetyAdministration (NHTSA), 400
F2439-06. 7th St., NW, Washington, DC 20590.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F2439 – 06
3.1.1 impact area—theregionoftheheadformwithinwhich 6. Equipment Calibration and System Checks
the center of each impact footprint must fall. F1446
6.1 Instrumentation used in testing shall be calibrated ac-
cording to the requirements of Test Methods F1446 and 49
4. Significance and Use
CFR Part 572, Subpart E.
6.2 The 50th percentile Hybrid III adult male test headform
4.1 The purpose of this specification is to provide reliable
and repeatable test methods for the evaluation of headgear for usedwiththisspecificationshallpassasystemcheckaccording
to the procedures described in Appendix X2. Duration of the
soccer. Headgear satisfying this specification is intended to
reduce forces reaching the head in some of the impacts that system check cycle shall be no more than 12 months.
6.3 Instrumentation System Check—The system instrumen-
may occur in soccer.
tation shall be checked before and after each series of tests by
dropping the Hybrid III head and neck assembly (see 5.2) onto
5. Apparatus
the MEP pad (see section on Modular Elastomer Programmer
5.1 Apparatus used for this testing shall be in accordance
(MEP) of Test Methods F1446 ) at an impact velocity of 2.8
with Test Methods F1446 except as noted herein.
m/s 6 2 %.The head and neck assembly shall be oriented such
5.2 Test Headforms—Test headforms used with this speci-
that the neck of the Hybrid III headform is at a 24 6 1°
fication shall be the 50th percentile Hybrid III adult male head
downward angle relative to the horizontal and the forehead
and neck assembly, including the upper and lower neck
shall contact the center of the MEP pad. The peak acceleration
adjusting brackets and all associated hardware. The equipment
obtained during this impact shall be 112 6 8 g. Three such
shall be as defined in the United States of America Code of
impacts at intervals of 75 6 15 s shall be performed before and
Federal Regulations (49 CFR Part 572, Subpart E).Acomplete
after each series of tests. If the average peak acceleration
listingofallpartsandcomponentswhichmakeuptheheadand
obtained in the pretest impacts differs by more than 5 % from
neck assembly is found in Appendix X1; see also Procedures
the average peak acceleration obtained in the post test impacts,
for Assembly, Disassembly, and Inspection (PADI) of the
recalibrationoftheinstrumentsandtransducersmustbecarried
HybridIII50thPercentileDummy’sNineAccelerometerArray
out,andalldataobtainedduringthatseriesofimpacttestsshall
Head (NAAH) with Redundant Head C.G. Accelerometers.
be discarded.
5.2.1 The test headform shall be mounted to a standard
monorail or twin-wire system or similar system, as shown in
7. Samples for Testing
Test Methods F1446. Mass of the entire drop system shall be
7.1 Conditions and Attachments—Headgear shall be tested
8.8 kg 6 5 % (19.4 lb 6 5 %).Accelerometer instrumentation
complete,intheconditionasofferedforsale.Theymustsatisfy
shall be installed into the test headform to measure resultant
all requirements of this specification with or without any
linear accelerations of the test headform as specified in the
included attachments.
section on Accelerometer of Test Methods F1446.
7.2 Number of Samples—A test series requires 12 samples
5.2.2 The headform center of gravity shall fall within 5° of
of each size headgear and shall be tested according to the
the vertical axis through the point of impact when the test
following schedule (see Table 1).
headform assembly is in the impact position, as described in
the Appendix of Test Methods F1446.
8. Conditioning Requirements
5.3 Steel Post Anvil—The steel post anvil used in this
8.1 Ambient Condition—Four samples of each size head-
specification is to represent a nominal 7.62 cm (3 in.) diameter
gear shall be conditioned at the ambient condition defined in
steel post. The anvil shall consist of a 7.62 cm (3 in.) diameter
ASTM Test Methods F1446.
steel bar (65 %) that is welded (or securely attached to
8.2 Low Temperature—Threesamplesofeachsizeheadgear
similarly minimize vibration between the bar and the plate) in
shall be conditioned at the low temperature conditions as
a horizontal position to a steel plate.
defined in Test Methods F1446.
5.4 Headform Anvil—The headform anvil is a 50th percen-
tile Hybrid III headform and neck assembly as defined in 5.2.
The headform anvil shall be oriented such that the forehead is
TABLE 1 Sample Test Schedule
in an upright target position. The lower neck bracket shall be
Head to Head to Head to Multiple Number
mounted to a rigid structure. The headform anvil shall be
Forehead Post MEP Impacts of
positioned such that the only impact between the drop head-
Impacts Impacts Impacts to MEP Impacts
form and the impact anvil is at the selected impact location,
Headgear 1, Ambient X 1
with no other parts of the headform and anvil coming into
Headgear 2, Hot X 1
Headgear 3, Cold X 1
contact with each other during the initial impact.The headform
Headgear 4, Wet X 1
anvil need not be instrumented.
Headgear 5, Ambient X 1
5.5 MEP Anvil—The MEP anvil shall be as defined in the Headgear 6, Hot X 1
Headgear 7, Cold X 1
section on Modular Elastomer Programmer (MEP) of Test
Headgear 8, Wet X 1
Methods F1446. The MEP anvil shall be positioned with its
Headgear 9, Ambient X 1
uppersurfacehorizontal,suchthattheonlyimpactbetweenthe Headgear 10, Hot X 1
Headgear 11, Cold X 1
drop headform and the impact anvil is at the selected impact
Headgear 12, Wet X 1
location, with no other parts of the headform and anvil coming
Headgear 1, Ambient X X 6
into contact with each other during the initial impact.
F2439 – 06
8.3 High Temperature—Three samples of each size head- 25 mm (1.0 in.) above the design cg of the Hybrid III test
gear shall be conditioned at the high temperature conditions as headform and parallel to the base of the skull and define this
defined in Test Methods F1446. line as AA’. Point A is the intersection of the line AA’and the
8.4 Water Immersion—Three samples of each size headgear front profile of the test headform. Using point A as a guide,
shall be conditioned at the water immersion conditions as draw a line AB that is angled 12° downward to the rear of the
defined in Test Methods F1446. test headform (relative to point A). Draw a line CD that is 50
8.5 Testing of conditioned samples must occur within 10 mm (2.0 in.) above and parallel to the line AB. The area
min after removal of the sample from the conditioning envi- included within the region ABCD shall be defined as the
ronment. If a sample is out of the conditioning environment for impact area.
more than 10 min, it shall be reconditioned 3 min for each 9.4 Shock Attenuation Impact Tests:
minute beyond 10 min that it is out of the environment, up to
9.4.1 Prior to impact testing, conduct the instrumentation
a maximum of 4 h.
system check (see 6.3).
9.4.2 The anvils to be used for impact tests in this specifi-
9. Test Schedule and Procedures
cation are a headform anvil, a steel post anvil, and an MEPpad
9.1 Construction and Materials:
(to simulate impact on the ground).
9.1.1 Projections—There can be no rigid projections, hard
9.4.3 Place the headgear to be tested on the test headform in
or sharp surfaces, or hard or sharp edges on any part or surface
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions prior to test-
oftheheadgear.Non-rigidprojectionscanprojectnomorethan
ing.
5 mm (0.20 in.) from the primary impact surface of the
9.4.4 With the headgear placed on the headform in accor-
headgear, must collapse under a static load of 2.27 kg (5 lb) 6
dance with the manufacturer’s instructions, the headgear may
10 %, and must be faired with the base surface of the headgear.
be impacted anywhere within the impact area. Coverage need
Any rigid or semi-rigid materials used in the headgear must be
not be continuous within the impact area, as long as the impact
padded sufficiently so that they satisfy all requirements of this
tests provide satisfactory results in accordance with this
specification.
specification.
9.1.2 Materials—Materialsknowntocauseskinirritationor
9.4.5 One impact shall be conducted at one test location on
disease shall not be used in the headgear. Comfort padding, if
each sample headgear unless otherwise specified. There shall
used, may be detachable for cleaning. If chemicals such as
be no overlap of impact footprints in any testing except in the
hydrocarbons, cleaning fluids, paints, or transfers and other
multiple impact testing.
additions will affect the headgear adversely, a warning to this
9.4.6 Head to Forehead Impacts—The instrumented
effect shall be provided.
headform/neck(thetestheadform)shallbeattachedtothedrop
9.2 Labeling—Eachheadgearshallbemarkedinsuchaway
system as specified and the headform anvil mounted in a fixed
that the following information is easily legible by the user and
upright target position.
is likely to remain legible throughout the life of the headgear.
9.4.6.1 An ambient headgear is affixed to the surface of the
The first five items in the following list must be physically
test headform in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruc-
attached to the headgear; other items may be explained on the
tions, such that a position within the impact area of the test
packaging or instructions that accompany the headgear, or
headform is located at the point where the test headform will
both.
strike the forehead of the headform anvil when it is dropped.
9.2.1 Model designation, if appropriate.
The test headform shall be dropped in guided freefall to result
9.2.2 Name and contact information of manufacturer.
in an impact velocity of 3.80 m/s 6 5 % (12.5 ft/s 6 5 %).The
9.2.3 A label that warns the user that no headgear can
peak linear acceleration of this padded head-to-forehead shall
protect against all foreseeable impacts, and that for maximum
not exceed 80 g.
protection, the headgear must be fitted and attached properly to
9.4.6.2 Repeat 9.4.6.1 with hot, wet and cold samples.
the wearer’s head in accordance with the manufacturer’s fitting
9.4.7 Head to Goal Post Impacts—The steel post anvil shall
instructions.
be mounted in a horizontal position, and no part of the post
9.2.4 A statement that this headgear satisfies the require-
...
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