ASTM F3512-21

Standard Test Method for Evaluating Wind Safety and Durability of Market Umbrellas

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 These test methods establish standard procedures designed for evaluating the performance wind safety and durability characteristics of MUs.  
5.2 These test methods are suitable for both end users and manufacturers to evaluate performance characteristics of MUs and base mounting components.  
5.2.1 End users may use these test methods to determine how well MUs and base components meet their particular application and conditions of use.  
5.2.2 Manufacturers of MUs and base mounting components may use these test methods to determine the wind performance characteristics in existing or proposed designs.  
5.3 Procedure A is an evaluation of MU structural integrity (pole, frame, canopy, and base components) by subjecting the MU to a uniform wind generated by a wind tunnel. Procedure B is an evaluation of MU and base component durability by subjecting the MU to a uniform wind generated by a wind tunnel for a fixed period of time. Each procedure is used to rate MU and base stanchion performance using the Beaufort Scale for users to be able to correlate the wind speed safety and durability determined in the testing to visual and subjective observation of the area of uses of the MU.  
5.4 Results from use of these test methods on one type of MU and base components are not comparable to other test results on a different MU due to differences in MU materials and designs used for poles, frames, canopies, vents, and hubs as well as base weights, shapes, and holding mechanisms.  
5.5 These test methods are not intended to assess cleaning or other weather stress resulting from wear and tear in an actual use environment.  
5.6 End users and manufacturers of MU and base components should consider these test methods to be minimum procedures for evaluating MU and base component wind safety and durability characteristics as a wind tunnel procedure is considered to produce the most accurate wind pressures of any method according to ASCE/SEI 7-10 Wind Tunnel Procedure. Users ...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods are intended for evaluating market umbrellas (MUs) to determine the suitability of the MU in a use environment on the basis of wind safety and durability.  
1.1.1 Procedure A is a safety scenario intended to test the structural strength of the MU to a uniform wind force generated by a wind tunnel.  
1.1.2 Procedure B is a wind durability scenario intended to determine the ability of the MU to perform in a high wind weather environment for a sustained period.  
1.1.3 The performance of the MU is then rated using the Beaufort Scale, as shown in Annex A1, to communicate the safety and durability performance of the MU.  
1.2 These test methods apply to most MUs designed for use in-home setting, such as pool or patio areas; recreation areas, such as the beach, pool, or tennis courts; and business settings, such as theme parks, water parks, resort pools, hotels, restaurants, cafés, and other business settings.  
1.3 The values as stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are given for information only.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 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: 31-Aug-2021
• ICS: 97.130.99 - Other shop fittings
• Technical Committee: F15 - Consumer Products
• Drafting Committee: F15.79 - Market Umbrellas

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: F3512 − 21
Standard Test Method for
1
Evaluating Wind Safety and Durability of Market Umbrellas
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3512; 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.
INTRODUCTION
Market umbrellas (MUs) are commonly used as protection against rain, sun, or other potential
weather in home, recreation, and commercial business settings. Buyers involved in the selection, use,
and maintenance of market umbrellas, as well as customers of businesses who desire protection of
weather, can be exposed to numerous hazards capable of causing harm when an improperly designed,
installed, or maintained market umbrella has contact with the human body. The deleterious effects of
a market umbrella being blown over or broken by wind forces can range from acute injury, such as
cuts or bruises, to blunt force trauma, such as concussions or broken bones.
MUs range from 4 ft to over 40 ft in diameter of multiple materials of construction, designs, shapes
and base or stanchions. MUs are often selected based on these factors, but equally important is the
safety, overall structural integrity of the MU, and durability, how long the market umbrellas will last
inservice,allowingtheendusertosafelycarryouthisorherassignedworktasksorenjoytheweather
protection and comfort of the MU.
No known standards apply to the design and manufacture of market umbrellas. Additionally, MU
designsvarydependingondifferentenduseapplicationsandsettingsofuse.Consequently,purchasers
are faced with a variety of MU products and generally depend on manufacturer sales information to
decide which MU is appropriate for their specific application. Base stanchion weights and methods
must also be selected and integrated with the MU to provide an accurate assessment.
This standard is intended to provide standardized methods for evaluating the wind safety and
durability of MU using a wind tunnel and rating the performance of the MU on a standardized scale.
This standard may also be used by MU manufacturers to assess current or proposed designs.
1. Scope 1.1.3 The performance of the MU is then rated using the
Beaufort Scale, as shown in Annex A1, to communicate the
1.1 These test methods are intended for evaluating market
safety and durability performance of the MU.
umbrellas (MUs) to determine the suitability of the MU in a
use environment on the basis of wind safety and durability. 1.2 These test methods apply to most MUs designed for use
in-home setting, such as pool or patio areas; recreation areas,
1.1.1 Procedure A is a safety scenario intended to test the
structural strength of the MU to a uniform wind force gener- such as the beach, pool, or tennis courts; and business settings,
such as theme parks, water parks, resort pools, hotels,
ated by a wind tunnel.
restaurants, cafés, and other business settings.
1.1.2 Procedure B is a wind durability scenario intended to
determine the ability of the MU to perform in a high wind
1.3 The values as stated in inch-pound units are to be
weather environment for a sustained period.
regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are given
for information only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.79 on
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Market Umbrellas.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021. Published October 2021. DOI: 10.1520/
F3512-21. mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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F3512 − 21
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- anddurabilitydeterminedinthetestingtovisualandsubjective
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- observation of the area of uses of the MU.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 5. Significance and Use
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5.1 These test methods establish standard procedures de-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
signed for evaluating the
...