42 Australian Helmet and protective clothing laws Standards
Description
This article is from the Australia Motorcycles FAQ, by Cameron Simpson cs@zip.com.au with numerous contributions by others.
42 Australian Helmet and protective clothing laws Standards
Currently, the only piece of protective gear that must be approved by
an Australian Standard is the helmet. There are two standards which
apply to helmets; one for the shell and one for the visor.
The following extracts are from the ACEL Standards Index Plus (January
1995). Many thanks to Tim Mills <t.mills@qut.edu.au> for providing
this info. visor -- AS 1609 (last updated 1981)
Scope: This Standard specifies requirements for eye
protectors for motor cyclists and racing car drivers. It
deals with materials, construction, attachment, optical
properties, testing, labelling and marking. The Standard
incorporates the basic requirements for eye protectors
capable of maintaining visibility and providing
protection for the eyes of motor cyclists and racing car
drivers.
Abstract: Specifies material, optical quality and
mechanical strength. Provision is made for the limited
use of tinted lenses. Test methods are in appendices. shell -- AS
1698 (last updated 1988)
Scope: This Standard specifies requirements for
protective headgear for vehicle users, as designed to
mitigate the adverse effect of a blow on the head. The
Standard is written with particular reference to motor
cyclists, but is equally applicable to users of other
types of vehicle. Specific marking requirements are also
included. NOTE: Recommendations for characteristics of
materials used in the manufacture of protective helmets
are provided in Appendix A.
Abstract: Specifies minimum performance criteria and
test requirements for protective headgear for vehicle
users, designed to mitigate the adverse effects of a
blow to the head. The primary intended use is by motor
cyclists, but it is equally applicable to all vehicle
users, including racing car drivers and racing motor
cyclists under Australian conditions. Tests for impact
attenuation, penetration resistance, strength of
retention system and its attachments, and peripheral
vision are prescribed by reference to AS 2512. Specific
marking requirements are detailed.
[ No doubt there are standards which relate to other bits of
clothing. I'm interested. Send 'em in. ]
Dr. Rod Woods of Cambridge has been developing standards for kevlar
gear -- there are several different factors which affect the
performance of a kevlar suit in a crash, including the coarseness of
weave, thickness and length of fibres, and so forth. A kevlar suit
which is not made of an appropriate material will apparently
disintegrate very rapidly. [references to follow]
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