ASTM F1446-12, “Standard Test Methods for Equipment and Procedures Used in Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Protective Headgear,” has just been released and is available from Document Center Inc. in both paper and pdf format. It is used by helmet and headgear manufacturers to evaluate the effectiveness of their products in preventing head injuries.
The purpose of this document is to provide reliable and repeatable tests for the evaluation of various types of protective headgear. Use of these test methods in conjunction with the specific individual performance standards is intended to reduce the likelihood of serious injury and death resulting from impacts to the head sustained by individuals participating in sports, recreation, and other leisure activities in which protective headgear is worn.
Some things that are tested by ASTM F1446 are:
- The ability of the item to limit head acceleration and
- The strength and stability of the retention system (the assembly that secures the helmet on the wearer’s head) and its attachment to the protective headgear.
This is the first revision of the document since April 2011. If you are using the obsolete edition and want to know the changes that are included in the new 2012 Edition, ask us for the Redline Edition of the standard. ASTM Redline editions come with both the new edition and a marked-up copy of the previous edition so that you can easily identify all changes to the new issue.
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