ASTM F2040-18

Standard Specification for Helmets Used for Recreational Snow Sports

ABSTRACT
This specification defines performance requirements for helmets used in nonmotorized recreational snow sports. The hot, cold, and wet helmets shall be subjected to the dynamic strength retention test. The ambient helmet shall be subjected to the positional stability (roll-off) test. Anvils to be used for impact tests in this specification are described as follows: flat anvil, hemispherical anvil, and edge anvil. All impacting shall be performed in accordance with the specified requirements.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification defines performance requirements for helmets used in nonmotorized recreational snow sports (such as skiing, snowboarding, and other alpine sports). This specification is a performance standard and is not intended to restrict design. Although a helmet that meets this specification will help reduce the risk of some types of injuries to the head at slower speeds, the protection is limited. The user is responsible for participating in the sport within his/her abilities and the nature of the snow conditions which may vary widely. Compliance with the common sense rules of the sport's safety, including any applicable responsibility codes, is essential to help reduce the risk of personal injury.  
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 shall be a certification that the product meets all of the requirements of the specification in its entirety. A product that fails to meet any one of the requirements of this specification is considered to have failed the standard and should not be sold with any indication that it meets parts of the standard.  
1.4 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: 28-Feb-2018
• 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 F2040-11 - Standard Specification for Helmets Used for Recreational Snow Sports
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018

Overview

ASTM F2040-18 is the recognized international standard that outlines the minimum performance requirements for helmets used in recreational snow sports, such as skiing and snowboarding. Issued by ASTM International, this specification provides guidance on testing procedures, impact attenuation, retention system strength, and labeling for nonmotorized snow sport helmets. The primary aim is to reduce the risk of head injuries during recreational snow activities by establishing rigorous safety and performance criteria.

Key Topics

• Scope of Protection: The standard covers nonmotorized recreational snow sports helmets, applicable to skiing, snowboarding, and other alpine snow sports.
• Performance Tests: Helmets are tested for impact resistance using different anvils (flat, hemispherical, and edge) at specified velocities. Tests are performed under various temperature conditions to reflect real-world usage (hot, cold, and wet environments).
• Retention System Requirements: The dynamic strength retention test ensures chin straps and retention systems are robust enough to withstand force without excessive elongation or failure.
• Positional Stability: Helmets must pass a roll-off (positional stability) test to confirm they remain securely on the wearer’s head during impact.
• Testing Protocols: All testing is conducted in accordance with ASTM F1446, which details equipment and procedures for evaluating protective headgear.
• Labeling and Warnings: Helmets must be labeled for use in nonmotorized recreational snow sports and include appropriate warnings for users.
• Compliance: The standard prohibits partial compliance; a helmet must meet all requirements to be certified under ASTM F2040-18.
• International Alignment: Developed according to World Trade Organization principles for international standardization, ensuring global relevance.

Applications

Helmets certified to ASTM F2040-18 are intended for:

• Alpine Skiers and Snowboarders: Ensuring safety during falls and collisions at recreational speeds.
• Ski Resorts and Rental Providers: Assisting in equipment choice to meet industry safety requirements and minimize liability.
• Manufacturers and Designers: Providing a benchmark for product development, quality control, and third-party certification.
• Consumers and Sport Enthusiasts: Guiding informed choices for protective snow sports headgear that meets recognized safety standards.

By following ASTM F2040-18, brands and users benefit from improved helmet safety and consistent product performance, which enhances the overall safety of recreational snow sports.

Related Standards

• ASTM F1446: Test Methods for Equipment and Procedures Used in Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Protective Headgear. This standard specifies the test methods and equipment used for helmet evaluation under F2040-18.
• ISO and EN Standards: While ASTM F2040-18 is widely used in North America, similar standards for snow sport helmets may exist under European and international frameworks.
• Other ASTM Headgear Standards: ASTM Committee F08 and Subcommittee F08.53 develop related headgear and helmet standards for various sports and activities.

Keywords: ASTM F2040-18, snow sports helmets standard, ski helmet safety specification, snowboard helmet requirements, recreational snow sport headgear, helmet impact testing, helmet retention system, ASTM helmet standard.

For manufacturers, retailers, and snow sports professionals, adherence to ASTM F2040-18 is fundamental to ensuring user safety, regulatory compliance, and market credibility in the recreational snow sports sector.

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:F2040 −18 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Helmets Used for Recreational Snow Sports
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2040; 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* Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Protective
Headgear
1.1 This specification defines performance requirements for
helmets used in nonmotorized recreational snow sports (such
3. Headforms
as skiing, snowboarding, and other alpine sports). This speci-
3.1 Headforms to be used in this specification are as
ficationisaperformancestandardandisnotintendedtorestrict
specified in the section on Test Headforms of Test Methods
design. Although a helmet that meets this specification will
F1446. The appropriate size headform shall be selected in
help reduce the risk of some types of injuries to the head at
accordance with the section on Headform Size Selection of
slower speeds, the protection is limited.The user is responsible
Test Methods F1446 for the helmet to be tested.
for participating in the sport within his/her abilities and the
nature of the snow conditions which may vary widely. Com-
4. Anvils and Impact Velocities
pliance with the common sense rules of the sport’s safety,
including any applicable responsibility codes, is essential to 4.1 Anvils to be used for impact tests in this specification
help reduce the risk of personal injury. are described as follows:
4.1.1 FlatAnvil, as described in the section onApparatus of
1.2 All testing and requirements of this specification shall
Test Methods F1446.
beinaccordancewithTestMethodsF1446,exceptwherenoted
4.1.2 Hemispherical Anvil, as described in the section on
herein.
Apparatus of Test Methods F1446.
1.3 Partial utilization of this specification is prohibited.Any
4.1.3 Edge Anvil, constructed of solid steel in accordance
statement of compliance with this specification shall be a
with Fig. 1.
certification that the product meets all of the requirements of
4.2 Impact Velocities:
the specification in its entirety.Aproduct that fails to meet any
4.2.1 Impacts upon the flat anvil shall achieve a velocity of
one of the requirements of this specification is considered to
6.2 m/s (corresponding to a theoretical drop height of 2.0 m).
have failed the standard and should not be sold with any
4.2.2 Impacts upon the hemispherical anvil shall achieve a
indication that it meets parts of the standard.
velocity of 4.8 m/s (corresponding to a theoretical drop height
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
of 1.2 m).
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.2.3 Impactsupontheedgeanvilshallachieveavelocityof
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.5 m/s (corresponding to a theoretical drop height of 1.0 m).
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.2.4 The impact velocity shall be measured during the last
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
40 mm of free-fall for each test and shall be within 3 % of the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
velocities specified in 4.2.1, 4.2.2, and 4.2.3.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Marking the Test Line
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1 The test line is shown in Fig. 2 and shall be marked in
F1446 Test Methods for Equipment and Procedures Used in
accordance with Test Methods F1446.
6. Conditioning and Number of Samples
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F08 on Sports
6.1 Four sample helmets are required for each shell/liner
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilitiesand is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F08.53 on Headgear and Helmets.
size combination.
Current edition approved March 1, 2018. Published March 2018. Originally
6.2 Conditioning of the samples to be tested is described in
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as F2040 – 11. DOI:
10.1520/F2040-18.
the section on Conditioning Environment of Test Methods
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
F1446, but differs as follows:
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
6.2.1 Low Temperature—The low temperature shall be –22
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. to –28°C.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
----------------
...

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: F2040 − 11 F2040 − 18 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Helmets Used for Recreational Snow Sports
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2040; 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 defines performance requirements for helmets used in nonmotorized recreational snow sports (such as
skiing, snowboarding, and other alpine sports). This specification is a performance standard and is not intended to restrict design.
Although a helmet that meets this specification will help reduce the risk of some types of injuries to the head at slower speeds,
the protection is limited. The user is responsible for participating in the sport within his/her abilities and the nature of the snow
conditions which may vary widely. Compliance with the common sense rules of the sport’s safety, including any applicable
responsibility codes, is essential to help reduce the risk of personal injury.
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 shall be a
certification that the product meets all of the requirements of the specification in its entirety. A product that fails to meet any one
of the requirements of this specification is considered to have failed the standard and should not be sold with any indication that
it meets parts of the standard.
1.4 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. Headforms
3.1 Headforms to be used in this specification are as specified in the section on Test Headforms of Test Methods F1446. The
appropriate size headform shall be selected in accordance with the section on Headform Size Selection of Test Methods F1446 for
the helmet to be tested.
4. Anvils and Impact Velocities
4.1 Anvils to be used for impact tests in this specification are described as follows:
4.1.1 Flat Anvil, as described in the section on Apparatus of Test Methods F1446.
4.1.2 Hemispherical Anvil, as described in the section on Apparatus of Test Methods F1446.
4.1.3 Edge Anvil, constructed of solid steel in accordance with Fig. 1.
4.2 Impact Velocities:
4.2.1 Impacts upon the flat anvil shall achieve a velocity of 6.2 m/s (corresponding to a theoretical drop height of 2.0 m).
4.2.2 Impacts upon the hemispherical anvil shall achieve a velocity of 4.8 m/s (corresponding to a theoretical drop height of
1.2 m).
4.2.3 Impacts upon the edge anvil shall achieve a velocity of 4.5 m/s (corresponding to a theoretical drop height of 1.0 m).
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilitiesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F08.53 on Headgear and Helmets.
Current edition approved April 1, 2011March 1, 2018. Published May 2011March 2018. Originally approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 20062011 as
F2040 – 06.F2040 – 11. DOI: 10.1520/F2040-11.10.1520/F2040-18.
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.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2040 − 18
FIG. 1 Edge Anvil
4.2.4 The impact velocity shall be measured during the last 40 mm of free-fall for each test and shall be within 3 % of the
velocities specified in 4.2.1, 4.2.2, and 4.2.3.
5. Marking the Test Line
5.1 The test line is shown in Fig. 2 and shall be marked in accordance with Test Methods F1446.
6. Conditioning and Number of Samples
6.1 Four sample helmets are required for each shell/liner size combination.
6.2 Conditioning of the samples to be tested is described in the section on Conditioning Environment of Tes
...