ASTM F2337-03
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Treestand Fall Arrest System
Standard Test Method for Treestand Fall Arrest System
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is intended to measure the maximum arrest force and dynamic strength on treestand FAS and components or subsystems. This test is intended for program quality assurance and production quality control purposes. It is not intended to be an independent material or product acceptance test.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the load capacities for treestand fall arrest systems (FAS) and components or subsystems.
1.2 The values stated are in inch-pound units and are to be regarded as standard.
1.3 This test method addresses equipment used in hunting situations requiring personal protection against falls from heights and applies to the manufacturers, distributors, purchasers, and users of such equipment.
1.4 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:F2337–03
Standard Test Method for
Treestand Fall Arrest System
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2337; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2.3 connecting hardware—includes snap hooks, D-rings,
carabineers, links, anchorage hardware, and buckles. Any
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the load
hardware that connects the FAS components in series, thus
capacities for treestand fall arrest systems (FAS) and compo-
creatingalinearlinkagealongwhichthemaximumarrestforce
nents or subsystems.
(MAF) acts.
1.2 The values stated are in inch-pound units and are to be
3.2.4 fall arrest system (FAS)—asystemwhichisassembled
regarded as standard.
forthepurposeofarrestinganaccidentalfallofitsuser.AFAS
1.3 This test method addresses equipment used in hunting
consists of a full body harness, lanyard, anchorage means, and
situations requiring personal protection against falls from
connecting hardware.
heights and applies to the manufacturers, distributors, purchas-
3.2.5 full body harness (FBH)—a component with a design
ers, and users of such equipment.
of straps which is fastened about the person in a manner so as
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
to contain the torso and distribute the fall arrest forces over at
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
least the upper thighs, pelvis, chest, and shoulders with means
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
for attaching it to other components or subsystems.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.6 lanyards—a component consisting of a flexible strap,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
rope, or wire rope for connecting a component such as a FBH
2. Referenced Documents
directly or indirectly to an anchorage.
3.2.7 maximum arrest force—the maximum force acting on
2.1 ANSI Standard:
the body at the instant of an arrest of its free fall.
ANSI Z359.1 Safety Requirements for Personal FallArrest
3.2.8 shock absorbers—a component used to reduce/absorb
Systems, Subsystems and Components
the energy gained by the user of the FAS when falling.
2.2 Other Document:
3.2.9 thigh/leg straps—thestraps,whichareintegratedwith
Individual Manufacturer’s FAS Instruction
the buttock strap (optional) and are routed from back to front
3. Terminology
acrossthegroinareaorlooparoundtheupperpartofthethigh.
3.2.10 treestand—a device designed to be affixed to a tree
3.1 The terminology and definitions in the referenced docu-
or its branches so as to permit an individual to sit or stand
ments are applicable to this practice.
thereon for the purpose of attaining an elevated position from
3.2 Definitions:
which to observe, photograph, or hunt.
3.2.1 anchorage—a component/structure to which a FBH is
attached to the tree trunk.
4. Summary of Test Method
3.2.2 climbing belt—astrap/belt(orsystemofstraps)which
4.1 One system test shall consist of the testing of one
is fastened about the person in a manner so as to contain the
individual fall arrest system unit for maximum arrest force
torso and stabilize the users horizontal load while either
(MAF) in accordance with the procedures in 7.1.
working from a vertical position to attach treestands, climbing
4.2 One system test shall consist of the testing of one
devices,andsoforth,orduringascent/descentoftreeorladder.
individualfallarrestsystemunitforperformanceinaccordance
AFBH may be constructed to additionally serve this function.
with the procedures in 7.2.
4.3 One system test shall consist of testing one individual
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports
fall arrest system unit for dynamic strength in accordance with
EquipmentandFacilitiesandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeF08.16on
the procedures in Section 8.
Archery Products.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2003. Published November 2003.
Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F2337–03
4.4 One climbing belt test shall consist of testing one falldistancerequiredisadistanceof6ftortwicethemaximum
individual climbing belt (for use only if FAS includes integral lanyard length or whichever is less.Any length added from the
climbing belt) in accordance with the procedures in Section 9. force sensor or load cell and any connecting hardware must be
4.5 For each test a test weight torso having the physical subtracted from the total fall distance.
properties described in 6.3 or 6.4 shall be dropped from an
7.1.3 Prior to performing the drop test, the anchorage shall
adequate elevation to simulate a free-fall motion from a
be properly secured with a permanent stop placed directly
treestand platform.
under the anchorage to the backside of the pole to eliminate
movement during test.
5. Significance and Use
7.1.4 Attach the quick release mechanism to the test weight
torso.The test weight torso shall be raised to an elevation such
5.1 This test method is intended to measure the maximum
that its free fall begins at the point above the anchorage equal
arrest force and dynamic strength on treestand FAS and
to the maximum length of the lanyard (if adjustable) or a
components or subsystems. This test is intended for program
distance which allows 6 ft of free fall, whichever is less. The
quality assurance and production quality control purposes. It is
test weight torso shall be located as close to the pole as
not intended to be an independent material or product accep-
practical or not greater than 1 ft with no tension in the lanyard
tance test.
prior to release. In such a manner, the free-fall distance will
equaltwicethemaximumavailablelengthor6ft,whicheveris
6. Apparatus
less.
6.1 A vertical, rigid, round wood pole shall be used to
7.1.5 The test weight torso shall be dropped “feet first” or
mount the test weight torso and fall arrest system (FAS) such
otherwise released as if to simulate a free-fall from a treestand
that pole deflection is minimized during testing.
platform. The fall should be essentially vertical with minimal
6.2 The mounting pole diameter shall be 10 6 1 in. and
“swinging” of the test subject. The fall shall be closely
shallhaveaminimumheightnecessaryforfreefalltomeetthe
observed for any unusual or unsafe action. Measure and record
provisions of 7.1.4, 7.2.4, 8.1.3, and 9.1.3.
the maximum arrest force (MAF), deceleration distance, and
6.3 The test weight torso used during the performance test
whetherornotanytestweighttorsodetachesfromtheharness.
shall weigh 220 6 2 lb. The test weight torso shall be in
After the drop, the test weight torso is to remain suspended by
accordance withANSI Z359-1 Standard,Appendix B, Figs. 18
the FAS for a period of 5 min.
and 19.
7.1.6 After the FAS has been engaged, the test weight torso
6.4 The test weight torso used during the dynamic strength
shall be lowered to the ground and the FAS inspected for
test shall weigh not less than 300 lb or shall equal the weight
damage. Compare test results to the requirements set forth in
of the stated weight capacity of the test subject 63 lb, or
11.1-11.3.
whicheverisgreater.Thetorsoshallalsobedesignedsuchthat
7.2 The following procedures shall apply to one individual
it closely resembles the human shape and human center of
unit of a given FAS with the test weight torso as given in 6.3
gravity.
dropped “face first.”
6.5 The test weight torso and test operator shall be raised to
therequiredelevationbymeansofamanlift,forklift/basket,or 7.2.1 Read instructions accompanying the test subject to
other device capable of providing means to ascend to the ascertain the proper procedure for use and donning. Secure the
proper elevation and provide a stable and safe working FAS anchorage to the mounting pole and the test weight torso
environment. in accordance with the device manufacturer’s instructions.
6.6 The free fall may be induced by manual or automatic
7.2.2 The total fall distance required is a distance of 6 ft or
means, and shall accomplish an unobstructed, continuous free
twice the maximum lanyard length, or whichever is less. Any
fall of the test weight torso.
addedlengthfromanyconnectinghardwaremustbesubtracted
6.7 The instrumentation used to measure the MAF of the
from the total fall distance.
FAS should consist of a force sensor or load cell capable of
7.2.3 Prior to performing the drop test, the anchorage shall
measuring peak loads up to 3,375 lb (15 kN). The recording
be properly secured with a permanent stop placed directly
data channel shall have a minimum sampling rate of 1,000
under the anchorage to the backside of the pole to eliminate
samples per second and an active frequency response band up
movement during test.
to a corner frequency of 100 Hz + 1.2 dB, −3 dB.
7.2.4 Attach the quick release mechanism to the test weight
torso at a point located at the buttocks or other means of
7. Performance Test Procedure
attachment that will allow the test torso to be released
7.1 The following procedures shall apply to one individual appropriately. The test weight torso shall be raised to an
unit of a given FAS with the test torso as given in 6.3 dropped elevation such that its free-fall begins at the point above the
“feet first.” anchorage equal to the maximum length of the lanyard (if
7.1.1 Read instructions accompanying the test
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