ASTM E3299/E3299M-21

Standard Test Methods for Compression Resistance of Helmets

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The purpose of this standard is to provide reliable and repeatable compression test methods for the evaluation of helmets used in law enforcement, corrections, and military applications.  
4.2 It is anticipated that this standard will be referenced by certifiers, purchasers, or other users in order to meet their specific needs. Those users will specify which test methods apply and will specify any performance categories or levels.
SCOPE
1.1 This standard provides test methods for assessing compression resistance of helmets worn by military, law enforcement, and corrections personnel. These test methods are applicable for many styles of helmet (that is, high-cut, mid-cut, full-cut).  
1.2 Three compression test methods are included: (1) top-to-bottom, (2) side-to-side, and (3) front-to-back.  
1.3 It is anticipated that this standard will be referenced by suppliers, certifiers, purchasers, or other users to meet their specific needs. Those users will specify, in other standards and specifications, which test methods and conditioning procedures are applicable and will specify any performance categories or levels.  
1.4 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.  
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: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2021
• ICS: 13.340.20 - Head protective equipment
• Technical Committee: E54 - Homeland Security Applications
• Drafting Committee: E54.04 - Public Safety Equipment

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
Designation: E3299/E3299M − 21
Standard Test Methods for
1
Compression Resistance of Helmets
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE3299/E3299M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
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 D2240 Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer Hard-
ness
1.1 This standard provides test methods for assessing com-
D3575 Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials Made
pression resistance of helmets worn by military, law
from Olefin Polymers
enforcement,andcorrectionspersonnel.Thesetestmethodsare
D4819 Specification for Flexible Cellular Materials Made
applicable for many styles of helmet (that is, high-cut, mid-cut,
From Polyolefin Plastics
full-cut).
E3005 Terminology for Body Armor
1.2 Three compression test methods are included: (1) top-
F1446 Test Methods for Equipment and Procedures Used in
to-bottom, (2) side-to-side, and (3) front-to-back.
Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Protective
Headgear
1.3 It is anticipated that this standard will be referenced by
suppliers, certifiers, purchasers, or other users to meet their
2.2 U.S. Government Standards:
specific needs. Those users will specify, in other standards and
FMVSS No. 218 Laboratory Test Procedure for Motorcycle
specifications,whichtestmethodsandconditioningprocedures
Helmets, National Highway Traffic Safety Administra-
3
are applicable and will specify any performance categories or
tion
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levels.
NIJ Standard 0115.00 Stab Resistance of Body Armor
1.4 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
2.3 ISO/IEC Standards:
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
ISO/IEC 17025 General Requirements for the Competence
5
values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equiva-
of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
lents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each
system shall be used independently of the other, and values
3. Terminology
from the two systems shall not be combined.
3.1 Definitions:
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.1 controlled ambient, n—conditions with temperature of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
68 6 10°F [20.0 6 5.6°C] and 50 6 20 % relative humidity
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
(RH). (Adapted from Terminology E3005)
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.2 coronal plane, n—an anatomical plane perpendicular
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
to both the basic and midsagittal planes and passing through
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
the superior rims of the right and left auditory meatuses; the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
transverse plane corresponds to the coronal plane (see Fig. 1
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
and Fig. 2). (Test Method F1446)
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.3 helmet positioning index (HPI), n—the vertical dis-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
tance from the brow of the helmet to an anatomical point of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
referenceontheheadform(forexample,thebasicplane),when
2. Referenced Documents
the helmet is placed on a reference headform; the manufacturer
2
shall specify the size of the headform and the vertical distance
2.1 ASTM Standards:
(Test Method F1446); see Fig. 3. (U.S. DOT FMVSS No. 218)
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These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E54 on
Homeland Security Applications and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
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E54.04 on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Available from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Current edition approved July 1, 2021. Published July 2021. DOI: 10.1520/ 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590, http://www.nhtsa.gov.
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E3299_E3299M-21. AvailablefromNationalInstituteofJustice(NIJ),8107thSt.,NW,Washington,
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or DC 20531, http://nij.gov.
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contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Central Secretariat, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva,
the ASTM website. Switzerland, https://www.iso.org.
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E3299/E3299M − 21
FIG. 3 Helmet Positio
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