ASTM E3299/E3299M-22

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: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2022
• ICS: 13.340.20 - Head protective equipment
• Technical Committee: E54 - Homeland Security Applications
• Drafting Committee: E54.04 - Public Safety Equipment

Relations

• Refers: ASTM E3005-20 - Standard Terminology for Body Armor
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2020
• Refers: ASTM D3575-20 - Standard Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials Made from Olefin Polymers
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2020

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: E3299/E3299M − 22
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 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This standard provides test methods for assessing com-
pression resistance of helmets worn by military, law D2240 Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer Hard-
ness
enforcement,andcorrectionspersonnel.Thesetestmethodsare
applicable for many styles of helmet (that is, high-cut, mid-cut, D3575 Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials Made
from Olefin Polymers
full-cut).
D4819 Specification for Flexible Cellular Materials Made
1.2 Three compression test methods are included: (1) top-
From Polyolefin Plastics
to-bottom, (2) side-to-side, and (3) front-to-back.
E3005 Terminology for Body Armor
1.3 It is anticipated that this standard will be referenced by
F1446 Test Methods for Equipment and Procedures Used in
suppliers, certifiers, purchasers, or other users to meet their
Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Protective
specific needs. Those users will specify, in other standards and
Headgear
specifications,whichtestmethodsandconditioningprocedures
2.2 U.S. Government Standards:
are applicable and will specify any performance categories or
FMVSS No. 218 Laboratory Test Procedure for Motorcycle
levels.
Helmets, National Highway Traffic Safety Administra-
3
tion
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
values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equiva-
4
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 basic plane, n—an anatomical plane (Frankfort hori-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
zontal plane) that includes the superior rim of the external
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
auditory meatus (upper edge of the external openings of the
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
ear) and the inferior margin of the orbit (the lowest point of the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
floor of the eye socket) (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
(Test Method F1446)
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.2 controlled ambient, n—conditions with temperature of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
68 6 10 °F [20.0 6 5.6 °C] and 50 6 20 % relative humidity
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
(RH). (Adapted from Terminology E3005)
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E54 on the ASTM website.
3
Homeland Security Applications and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Available from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
E54.04 on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590, http://www.nhtsa.gov.
4
Current edition approved March 1, 2022. Published March 2022. Originally Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
approved in 2021. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as E3299/E3299M – 21a. Central Secretariat, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva,
DOI: 10.1520/E3299_E3299M-22. Switzerland, https://www.iso.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E3299/E3299M − 22
shall specify the size of the headform and the vertical distance
(Test Method F1446); see Fig. 2. (U.S. DOT FMVSS No. 218)
3.1.5 mid-sagittal plane, n—an anatomical plane perpen-
dicular to the basic plane and containing the midpoint of the
...

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: E3299/E3299M − 21a E3299/E3299M − 22
Standard Test Methods for
1
Compression Resistance of Helmets
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3299/E3299M; 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 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D2240 Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer Hardness
D3575 Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials Made from Olefin Polymers
D4819 Specification for Flexible Cellular Materials Made From Polyolefin Plastics
E3005 Terminology for Body Armor
F1446 Test Methods for Equipment and Procedures Used in Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Protective Headgear
2.2 U.S. Government Standards:
3
FMVSS No. 218 Laboratory Test Procedure for Motorcycle Helmets, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E54 on Homeland Security Applications and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E54.04
on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2021March 1, 2022. Published December 2021March 2022. Originally approved in 2021. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as
E3299/E3299M – 21.E3299/E3299M – 21a. DOI: 10.1520/E3299_E3299M-21A.10.1520/E3299_E3299M-22.
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 Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590, http://www.nhtsa.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E3299/E3299M − 22
2.3 ISO/IEC Standards:
4
ISO/IEC 17025 General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 basic plane, n—an anatomical plane (Frankfort horizontal plane) that includes the superior rim of the external auditory
meatus (upper edge of the external openings of the ear) and the inferior margin of the orbit (the lowest point of the floor of the
eye socket) (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
(Test Method F1446)
3.1.2 controlled ambient, n—conditions with temperature of 68 6 10°F10 °F [20.0 6 5.6°C]5.6 °C] and 50 6 20 % relative
humidity (RH). (Adapted from Terminology E3005)
3.1.3 coronal plane, n—an anatomical plane perpendicular to both the basic and midsagittal planes and passing through the
superior rims of the right and left auditory meatuses; the transverse plane
...