ASTM F2961-15

Standard Test Method for Characterizing Gripping Performance of Gloves Using a Torque Meter

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is intended to provide a quantitative measurement of wearing gloves on an individual’s ability to grip a solid object and twist in a defined direction. The gripping performance may be different if twisted in the opposing direction or if pushing or pulling on a solid object while gripping.  
5.2 This method was originally developed to help understand how materials and construction of firefighting gloves affected grip. Methods available at the time showed very little statistical difference between a wide range of gloves including many NFPA 1971 compliant firefighting gloves and also non-compliant gloves used in other applications. This method was shown to have less subject-to-subject variability and a greater range of measured grip than previous tests.4  
5.3 It is possible to apply this test method to other types of gloves, other than structural firefighting protective gloves. Evaluate the relevance of this test method by examining the particular application of the gloves for end user gripping capability. In addition, understand how this test method ranks gloves in comparison with end user perceptions.  
5.4 This test method does not discriminate all glove effects on wearer hand function nor does it apply to all glove types and applications. Consider additional evaluations or tests representative of the glove use applications performed to determine the overall impact of gloves on wearer hand functions.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is used for evaluating how gloves affect an individual wearer’s ability to grip onto a hard surface object.  
1.1.1 This test method establishes procedures for measuring the maximum torque that can be attained by individual’s bare hand as compared to the maximum torque that is attained by the same individual wearing a glove. The torque is applied to a vertically-mounted pole attached to a torque meter.  
1.2 This test method is suitable for evaluating gloves and other forms of hand protection that require the wearer to maintain a secure hold on objects.  
1.3 This test method does not address all effects of wearing gloves on hand functions. Other test methods include those for evaluating the effect of wearing gloves on dexterity, tactility, and other aspects of functional performance.  
1.4 It is the responsibility of the test laboratory to obtain the necessary and appropriate approval(s) required by their institution for conducting tests using human subjects.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2015
• ICS: 13.340.40 - Hand and arm protection
• Technical Committee: F23 - Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
• Drafting Committee: F23.60 - Human Factors

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: F2961 − 15
Standard Test Method for
Characterizing Gripping Performance of Gloves Using a
1
Torque Meter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2961; 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 E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
ASTM Test Methods
1.1 This test method is used for evaluating how gloves
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
affect an individual wearer’s ability to grip onto a hard surface
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
object.
F1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
1.1.1 This test method establishes procedures for measuring
3
2.2 NFPA Standards:
the maximum torque that can be attained by individual’s bare
NFPA1971 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural
hand as compared to the maximum torque that is attained by
Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting
the same individual wearing a glove. The torque is applied to
a vertically-mounted pole attached to a torque meter.
3. Terminology
1.2 This test method is suitable for evaluating gloves and
3.1 For definitions of other protective clothing-related terms
other forms of hand protection that require the wearer to
used in this test method, refer to Terminology F1494.
maintain a secure hold on objects.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.3 This test method does not address all effects of wearing
gloves on hand functions. Other test methods include those for
4.1 The maximum torque applied to a vertically oriented
evaluating the effect of wearing gloves on dexterity, tactility,
cylindrical rod is measured without gloves and then later while
and other aspects of functional performance.
wearing gloves. The bare hand maximum torque is compared
to the gloved hand maximum torque in terms of a percentage.
1.4 It is the responsibility of the test laboratory to obtain the
This percentage is useful in determining if a glove enhances or
necessary and appropriate approval(s) required by their insti-
decreases an individual’s ability to grip a hard object.
tution for conducting tests using human subjects.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
5. Significance and Use
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
5.1 This test method is intended to provide a quantitative
standard.
measurement of wearing gloves on an individual’s ability to
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
gripasolidobjectandtwistinadefineddirection.Thegripping
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
performance may be different if twisted in the opposing
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
direction or if pushing or pulling on a solid object while
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
gripping.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.2 This method was originally developed to help under-
stand how materials and construction of firefighting gloves
2. Referenced Documents
affected grip. Methods available at the time showed very little
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
statistical difference between a wide range of gloves including
D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
many NFPA 1971 compliant firefighting gloves and also
non-compliant gloves used in other applications. This method
was shown to have less subject-to-subject variability and a
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F23 on Personal
4
greater range of measured grip than previous tests.
Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F23.60 on Human Factors.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2015. Published March 2015. Originally
3
approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as F2961 – 14. DOI: Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
10.1520/F2961–15. Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Ross, Barker, Watkins, and Deaton, “Methods for Measuring the Grip Perfor-
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM mance of Structural Firefighting Gloves,” Performance of Protective Clothing and
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Equipment: Emerging Issues and Technologies,” ASTM STP 1544, Vol 9, A.
the ASTM website. Shepherd Ed., ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2012.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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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: F2961 − 14 F2961 − 15
Standard Test Method for
Characterizing Gripping Performance of Gloves Using a
1
Torque Meter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2961; 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 test method is used for evaluating how gloves affect an individual wearer’s ability to grip onto a hard surface object.
1.1.1 This test method establishes procedures for measuring the maximum torque that can be attained by individual’s bare hand
as compared to the maximum torque that is attained by the same individual wearing a glove. The torque is applied to a
vertically-mounted pole attached to a torque meter.
1.2 This test method is suitable for evaluating gloves and other forms of hand protection that require the wearer to maintain a
secure hold on objects.
1.3 This test method does not address all effects of wearing gloves on hand functions. Other test methods include those for
evaluating the effect of wearing gloves on dexterity, tactility, and other aspects of functional performance.
1.4 It is the responsibility of the test laboratory to obtain the necessary and appropriate approval(s) required by their institution
for conducting tests using human subjects.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
F1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
3
2.2 NFPA Standards:
NFPA 1971 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of other protective clothing-related terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology F1494.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The maximum torque applied to a vertically oriented cylindrical rod is measured without gloves and then later while wearing
gloves. The bare hand maximum torque is compared to the gloved hand maximum torque in terms of a percentage. This percentage
is useful in determining if a glove enhances or decreases an individual’s ability to grip a hard object.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F23.60 on Human Factors.
Current edition approved July 1, 2014Feb. 1, 2015. Published August 2014March 2015. Originally approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as
F2961 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/F2961–14.10.1520/F2961–15.
2
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.
3
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F2961 − 15
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is intended to provide a quantitative measurement of wearing gloves on an individual’s ability to grip a
solid object.object and twist in a defined direction. The gripping performance may be different if twisted in the opposing direction
or if pushing or pulling on a solid object while gripping.
5.2 This method was originally developed to help understand how materials and construction of firefighting gloves affected grip.
Methods available at the time showed very little statistical difference between a wide range of gloves including many NFPA 1971
compliant firefighting gloves and also non-compliant gloves used in other applications. This method was shown to have less
4
subject-to-subject variabil
...