ASTM F1956-20

Standard Specification for Rescue Carabiners

ABSTRACT
This specification covers six mechanical tests, one corrosion resistance test, and the minimum performance requirements for these tests. This specification applies to carabiners designed specifically for use by rescue personnel during both training exercises and actual rescue operations. Two different types of carabiners are defined, a heavy-duty rescue carabiner and a light-duty rescue carabiner. The mechanical tests are: gate function test, gate locking mechanism function load test, major axis gate closed function load test, major axis gate closed ultimate strength test, major axis gate open ultimate strength test, and minor axis gate closed ultimate strength test. Carabiners may disengage or eject parts from the test fixture. Use a safety screen and wear safety glasses while testing.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Gate Function Load Test—This test verifies that the gate can be opened (with the gate locking mechanism in the unlocked position) and that the gate can not be opened (with the gate locking mechanism in the locked position) while loaded with Function Test Force #1 along the major axis.  
5.2 Gate Locking Mechanism Function Load Test—This test verifies that the gate locking mechanism can be unlocked, after Function Test Force #2 has been applied along the major axis and released.  
5.3 Major Axis Gate Closed Function Load Test—This test verifies that the gate functions as originally intended, after Function Test Force #3 has been applied and released.  
5.4 Major Axis Gate Closed Ultimate Strength Test—This test is intended to show the ultimate strength of the carabiner in the major axis with the gate closed.  
5.5 Major Axis Gate Open Ultimate Strength Test—This test is intended to show the ultimate strength of the carabiner in the major axis with the gate open.  
5.6 Minor Axis Gate Closed Ultimate Strength Test—This test is intended to show the ultimate strength of the carabiner in the minor axis with the gate closed.  
5.7 Corrosion Test—This test is intended to verify that the carabiner is produced from a corrosion-resistant material, or adequately covered with a protective coating.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers six mechanical tests, one corrosion resistance test, and the minimum performance requirements for these tests. This specification applies to carabiners designed specifically for use by rescue personnel during both training exercises and actual rescue operations. This specification does not apply to recreational use carabiners.  
1.2 Two different types of carabiners are defined in this specification, a heavy-duty rescue carabiner and a standard-duty rescue carabiner.  
1.3 Tests contained herein are destructive in nature. Carabiners subjected to any of these tests shall not be used in any way after testing except in evaluation the results of such testing.  
1.4 This specification does not imply approval of any method of use of rescue carabiners. In addition, the tests described are laboratory tests and do not duplicate field conditions. Furthermore, the test load values contained herein are not to be interpreted as the forces which a rescue carabiner may be subjected to, or may be expected to sustain, in actual field use.  
1.5 Quality control is solely the responsibility of the manufacturer or purchaser, or both, and is not addressed by this specification.  
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.7 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. 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.  
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles f...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2020
• ICS: 97.220.40 - Outdoor and water sports equipment
• Technical Committee: F32 - Search and Rescue
• Drafting Committee: F32.01 - Equipment, Testing, and Maintenance

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:F1956 −20
Standard Specification for
1
Rescue Carabiners
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1956; 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 ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.1 This specification covers six mechanical tests, one
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
corrosion resistance test, and the minimum performance re-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
quirements for these tests. This specification applies to cara-
biners designed specifically for use by rescue personnel during
2. Referenced Documents
both training exercises and actual rescue operations. This
2
specification does not apply to recreational use carabiners. 2.1 ASTM Standards:
B117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
1.2 Two different types of carabiners are defined in this
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
specification, a heavy-duty rescue carabiner and a standard-
duty rescue carabiner.
3. Terminology
1.3 Tests contained herein are destructive in nature. Cara-
3.1 Definitions:
biners subjected to any of these tests shall not be used in any
3.1.1 carabiner—load-bearing, connective device with a
way after testing except in evaluation the results of such
self-closing gate.
testing.
3.1.2 durably affıxed—manner of attaching information di-
1.4 This specification does not imply approval of any
rectly to the product which endures for the life of the product.
method of use of rescue carabiners. In addition, the tests
3.1.3 heavy-duty rescue carabiner—carabiner that meets the
described are laboratory tests and do not duplicate field
specifications for a heavy-duty rescue carabiner as defined in
conditions. Furthermore, the test load values contained herein
Section 9.
are not to be interpreted as the forces which a rescue carabiner
may be subjected to, or may be expected to sustain, in actual
3.1.4 locking carabiner—carabiner with a locking mecha-
field use.
nism that reduces the possibility of a gate being opened
inadvertently. A locking mechanism requires at least two
1.5 Quality control is solely the responsibility of the manu-
different consecutive manual actions to open the gate (one
facturer or purchaser, or both, and is not addressed by this
manual action to release the gate locking mechanism and one
specification.
different manual action to open the carabiner gate).
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.1.5 non-locking carabiner—any carabiner that does not
standard.
have a locking mechanism that reduces the possibility of a gate
1.7 This standard may involve hazardous materials,
being opened inadvertently.
operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
3.1.6 rescue carabiner—carabiner intended for life support
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
in rescue systems. It may be classified as heavy-duty or
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
standard-duty.
establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental prac-
3.1.7 standard-duty rescue carabiner—carabiner that meets
tices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations
prior to use. the specifications for a standard-duty rescue carabiner as
defined in Section 9.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.8 ultimate strength—maximum force sustained by a
carabiner during an ultimate force test, prior to failure.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F32 on Search
and Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.01 on Equipment,
2
Testing, and Maintenance. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2020. Published June 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as F1956 - 13. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F1956-20. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F1956−20
3.1.8.1 failure—point at which some part of the carabiner range, and calibrated periodically in accord
...

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: F1956 − 13 F1956 − 20
Standard Specification for
1
Rescue Carabiners
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1956; 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 specification covers six mechanical tests, one corrosion resistance test, and the minimum performance requirements for
these tests. This specification applies to carabiners designed specifically for use by rescue personnel during both training exercises
and actual rescue operations. This specification does not apply to recreational use carabiners.
1.2 Two different types of carabiners are defined in this specification, a heavy-duty rescue carabiner and a light-dutystandard-
duty rescue carabiner.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.3 Tests contained herein are destructive in nature. Carabiners subjected to any of these tests shall not be used in any way after
testing except in evaluation the results of such testing.
1.4 This specification does not imply approval of any method of use of rescue carabiners. In addition, the tests described are
laboratory tests and do not duplicate field conditions. Furthermore, the test load values contained herein are not to be interpreted
as the forces which a rescue carabiner may be subjected to, or may be expected to sustain, in actual field use.
1.5 Quality control is solely the responsibility of the manufacturer or purchaser, or both, and is not addressed by this
specification.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.7 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. 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.
1.8 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:
B117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 carabiner—a load-bearing, connective device with a self-closing gate.
3.1.2 heavy-duty rescue carabiner—durably affıxed—a carabiner that meets the specifications for a heavy-duty rescue carabiner
as defined in Section manner of attaching information directly to the product which endures for the life of the product.9.
3.1.3 light-dutyheavy-duty rescue carabiner—a carabiner that meets the specifications for a light-dutyheavy-duty rescue
carabiner as defined in Section 9.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.01 on Equipment, Testing,
and Maintenance.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2013April 1, 2020. Published February 2014June 2020. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 20052013 as
F1956 - 99 (2005).F1956 - 13. DOI: 10.1520/F1956-13.10.1520/F1956-20.
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 ----------------------
F1956 − 20
3.1.4 locking carabiner—a carabiner with a locking mechanism whichthat reduces the possibility of a gate being opened
inadvertently. A locking mechanism requires at least two different consecutive manual actions to open the gate (see(one Appendix
X2).manual action to release the gate locking mechanism and one different manual action to open the carabiner gate).
3.1.5 non-locking carabiner—any carabiner that does not have a locking mechanism that reduces the possibility of a gate being
opened inadvertently.
3.1.6 rescue carabiner—a carabi
...