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ANSI-Z89.1-1997
Standard Highlights
If you are a hard hat wearer, you should
know a few things about the new ANSI Z89.1-1997 Standard for Industrial
Protective Helmets:
- The standard kind of hard hat
you've worn for years is now called a Type I helmet, a helmet that
provides protection for the top of your head.
- Helmets that provide some degree
of top and off-center protection are addressed in the new ANSI
Z89.1-1997 Standard and are called Type II helmets.
- Helmet wearers must decide
whether or not the Type I (top impact) helmet you currently use meets
your requirements, or if your work conditions warrant a Type II (top
and lateral impact) helmet.
- The Standard provides minimum
performance requirements
1) to reduce the forces of impact and penetration from falling objects,
and
2) where applicable, to provide protection from electrical shock hazards
Suggestion: Print
this material for future reference.
Compare the New Performance Requirements
for Type I and Type II Helmets to the Previous 1986 (ANSI) Standard
| Requirement |
Test
Criteria 1986 Edition |
Test
Criteria 1997 Edition |
Impact
energy attenuation
Measures helmet crown's capability to reduce the force of an impact
from falling objects to the top of a wearer's head |
Impact
resistance
- Product tested in the "as
worn" position
- 8 lb. steel ball dropped
at a free fall height of 5'
- 1000 lb. maximum transmitted
peak force to head form
- 850 lb. maximum transmitted
average force to head form
- Tested at 0° F and 120°
F
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Force
transmission
Helmet Types I & II
- Product tested in the "as
worn" position
- 8 lb. steel ball dropped
at a free fall height of 5'
- 1000 lb. maximum transmitted
peak force to head form
- 850 lb. maximum transmitted
average force to head form
- Tested at 0° F and 120°
F
|
Apex
penetration
Measures helmet crown's capability to resist penetration |
- Product tested within 3"
circle on top of helmet in "as worn" position
- 1 lb. plumb bob, with 35º
angle, dropped from a simulated free-fall height of 10'
- Depth of penetration (perpendicular
distance into thickness of shell)--Classes A & B: pierced not
more than 3/8 inch --Class C: pierced not more than 7/16 inch
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Helmet
Types I & II
Definitions expanded; new test protocol section, including preparation,
mounting, number, and sequence of test samples; summary of failure
criteria.
- Product tested within 3"
circle on top of helmet in "as worn" position
- 2.2 lb. pointed steel penetrator,
with 60º angle, dropped from a simulated free-fall height of 8'
- Penetrator can't make contact
w/ head form
- Test apparatus includes
electronic contact indicator, velocity indicator, & electronic
recording equipment
- No differentiation for
helmet Classes
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Electrical
insulation
Measures electrical shock resistance capability of helmet |
- Class B is tested for force
transmission first, then tested at 20,000 volts for 3 minutes,
with 9 milliamps maximum leakage; then tested at 30,000 volts,
with no burn-through permitted.
- Class A is tested at 2,200
volts for 1 minute, with 3 milliamps maximum current leakage
- Class C is not tested for
electrical resistance.
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Helmet
Types I & II
(1) Class E (Electrical) helmets intended to reduce the danger
of exposure to high voltage electrical conductors, proof tested at
20,000 volts. Class E is tested for force transmission first, then
tested at 20,000 volts for 3 minutes, with 9 milliamps maximum current
leakage; then tested at 30,000 volts, with no burn-through permitted.
(formerly Class B)
(2) Class G (General) helmets intended to reduce the danger
of exposure to low voltage electrical conductors, proof tested at
2,200 volts. Class G is tested at 2,200 volts for 1 minute, with 3
milliamps max. leakage. (formerly Class A)
(3) Class C (Conductive) helmets not intended to provide protection
from electrical conductors. Class C is not tested for electrical resistance.
(no change in class designation) |
| Flammability |
- ASTM D635-77 (method of
test for flammability of self-supporting plastics)
- Product tested using strips
cut from helmet shell.
- Average burn rate not greater
than 3 inches per minute
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Definitions
expanded; new test protocol section, including preparation, mounting,
number, and sequence of test samples; summary of failure criteria.
- Product tested in the "as
worn" position
- 1550· F. flame impingement
for 5 seconds
- No visible flame on product
after 5 seconds of flame removal
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Additional Information about the Lateral Protection
Portion (Type II Helmets) of the New ANSI Z89.1 Standard
| Requirement |
New
1997 Edition |
Test
Criteria |
Impact energy
attenuation --
Measures the energy-absorbing capability of a helmet from lateral
impact |
Type II (top
& lateral impact)
Helmets intended to reduce the force of impact resulting from a blow-received
off-center or to the top of a wearer's head. |
Minimum performance
criteria:
- A helmeted head form (11
lb.) is dropped onto two types of steel anvils, flat and hemispherical
- 1000 maximum peak "G"
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Off-center
penetration --
Measures lateral penetration resistance capability of a helmet; same
procedure as apex penetration except for test location |
Type II only
Test protocol section, including preparation, mounting, number, sequence
of test samples; summary of failure criteria. |
- Product tested in the "as
worn" position
- 2.2 lb. pointed steel penetrator,
dropped from a simulated free-fall height of 4' and impacted anywhere
above the test line
- Penetrator cannot make
contact with head form
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Chin strap
retention --
Measures the ability of a chin strap to retain a helmet on a wearer's
head |
Type II only
Note: standard does not mandate the requirement for a chinstrap. However,
if a chinstrap is used, it must meet these requirements. |
Minimum performance
criteria:
- Product tested in the "as
worn" position
- 22.2 lb. mass is attached
to the chin strap and dropped from a height of 4"
- Strap cannot detach from
the helmet or elongate more than 1"
- Strap cannot be less than
0.5" in width
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