ASTM F2961-22

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 an 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.7 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-Jan-2022
• ICS: 13.340.40 - Hand and arm protection
• Technical Committee: F23 - Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
• Drafting Committee: F23.60 - Human Factors

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1776/D1776M-20 - Standard Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
• 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: F2961 − 22
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 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method is used for evaluating how gloves
D1776/D1776M Practice for Conditioning and Testing Tex-
affect an individual wearer’s ability to grip onto a hard surface
tiles
object.
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
1.1.1 This test method establishes procedures for measuring
ASTM Test Methods
the maximum torque that can be attained by an individual’s
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
bare hand as compared to the maximum torque that is attained
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
by the same individual wearing a glove. The torque is applied
F1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
to a vertically mounted pole attached to a torque meter.
3
2.2 NFPA Standards:
1.2 This test method is suitable for evaluating gloves and
NFPA1971 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural
other forms of hand protection that require the wearer to
Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting
maintain a secure hold on objects.
3. Terminology
1.3 This test method does not address all effects of wearing
gloves on hand functions. Other test methods include those for
3.1 For definitions of other protective clothing-related terms
evaluating the effect of wearing gloves on dexterity, tactility,
used in this test method, refer to Terminology F1494.
and other aspects of functional performance.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.4 It is the responsibility of the test laboratory to obtain the
necessary and appropriate approval(s) required by their insti- 4.1 The maximum torque applied to a vertically oriented
tution for conducting tests using human subjects. cylindrical rod is measured without gloves and then later while
wearing gloves. The bare hand maximum torque is compared
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
to the gloved hand maximum torque in terms of a percentage.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
This percentage is useful in determining if a glove enhances or
standard.
decreases an individual’s ability to grip a hard object.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.1 This test method is intended to provide a quantitative
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
measurement of wearing gloves on an individual’s ability to
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
gripasolidobjectandtwistinadefineddirection.Thegripping
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
performance may be different if twisted in the opposing
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
direction or if pushing or pulling on a solid object while
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
gripping.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5.2 This method was originally developed to help under-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
stand how materials and construction of firefighting gloves
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
affected grip. Methods available at the time showed very little
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F23 on Personal For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
F23.60 on Human Factors. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2022. Published March 2022. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as F2961 – 15. DOI: Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
10.1520/F2961-22. 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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F2961 − 22
statistical difference between a wide range of gloves, in
...

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 − 15 F2961 − 22
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 an 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 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 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:
D1776D1776/D1776M 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
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 Feb. 1, 2015Feb. 1, 2022. Published March 2015March 2022. Originally approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 20142015 as
F2961 – 14.F2961 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/F2961–15.10.1520/F2961-22.
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F2961 − 22
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.
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 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 avai
...