How to Assess the Safetiness of Motorcycle Helmet

Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Protective Helmets and their Visors for Drivers and Passengers of Motorcycles and Mopeds

1. The PNS/UN ECE 22:2007 was developed by BPS/TC44/SC22 – TC on Road Vehicles Subcommittee on Motorcycles.
2. It applies to protective helmets for drivers and passengers of mopeds and of motorcycles with or without side-car and to visors fitted to such helmets or intended to be added to them
3. Definitions
   1. Protective helmet – a helmet intended to primarily protect the wearer’s head against impact; it is in the form of a hard outer shell that is designed to protect the cranial areas of users in the event of a collision, crash or fall
   2. Visor – transparent protective screen extending over the eyes and covering all or part of the face
   3. Retention system – complete assembly that maintains helmet position on the head and prevents it from flying off the wearer’s head during quick head movements or accident, including any devices for adjustment of the system or to enhance the wearer’s comfort. This includes china strap, double-D ring or sliding bar fastening device, quick-release mechanism, buckle.
   4. Protective padding – material used to absorb impact energy
   5. Comfort padding – a material provided for comfort of the wearer
      
      Fig. 1 Diagram of a Protective Helmet
      Note: Protective helmets for drivers and passengers of motorcycles were designed to reduce the chances of serious head, brain, and facial injuries and death from motorcycle crashes but are not designed to prevent injuries to other parts of the body.
      
4. General Specification
   1. Helmet
      • Helmet shall be in the form of a hard outer shell, containing additional means of absorbing impact energy, and retention system.
      • May be fitted with ear flaps and a neck curtain. It may also have a detachable peak, a visor and a lower face cover
      • If fitted with a non-protective lower face cover, it should be marked that it does not protect chin from impacts.
        
        Fig. 2 Symbol “Does not protect chin from impact”
      • Helmet shall not dangerously affect wearer’s ability to hear. The temperature in the space between the head and the shell shall not rise inordinately; ventilation holes may be provided in the shell.
      • There shall be no inward-facing sharp edges on the inside of the helmet; rigid projecting internal parts shall be covered with padding
      • various components of the helmet shall be so assembled that they are not liable to become easily detached as a result of an impact
5. Retention system
   1. Retention systems shall be protected from abrasion.
   2. All parts of the retention system shall be permanently attached to the system or to the helmet
6. Material
   1. Material used shall not undergo appreciable alteration under the influence of ageing or exposure to sun, extreme temperature and rain.
   2. Materials that come in contact to skin shall not undergo appreciable alteration through the effect of perspiration; shall not use materials known to cause skin troubles.
7. Performance
   1. Helmet shall not exhibit breakage or deformation dangerous to the wearer
8. Visors
   1. Visors shall be removable; must be possible to move the visor our of the field of vision with one hand.
   2. A mark on visors shall specify if it’s for “Daytime use only”.
      
      Fig. 3 Symbol for “Day use only”
   3. Visors shall be free from any significant defects such as bubbles, scratches, dull spots, holes, mould marks that can likely impair the vision.
   4. Visors shall not cause any noticeable distortion of object as seen through the visor, shall be resistant to abrasion and impact, and shall not give rise to any confusion between colour used in road traffic sign and signals
9. Tests
   1. Impact-absorption – measures helmet’s capacity to absorb impact when dropped in a guided free fall onto a fixed steel anvil
   2. Test for projections and surface friction – done to assess the way in which an outer shell will sheer away, become detached, or slide off when impacted
   3. Rigidity test – determines the strength of the helmet; measures the deformation of a helmet when weight is applied to each side of the helmet
   4. Dynamic test of the retention system – test to ensure that the helmet remains securely fastened to the rider’s head
   5. Visor test (field of vision, luminous transmittance, light diffusion, recognition of traffic signal lights, mechanical characteristics – drop-hammer test, wherein no sharp splinters are produced if visor is shattered; and optical quality and scratch resistance)
   6. Micro-slip test of the chin strap – slippage of the grip shall not exceed 10 mm
   7. Test for resistance to abrasion of chin strap– shall withstand a tension of 3 kN without breaking
   8. Tests for retention systems relying on quick-release mechanisms
10. Markings
    1. Helmet – trade name/mark, size, if appropriate, an indication if the lower face to protect chin against impact
    2. Visor – trade name/mark, if appropriate, an indication if the visor is for day time use only
    3. Information for Wearers – shall be clearly visible
       • “For adequate protection, this helmet must fit closely and be securely attached. Any helmet that has sustained a violent impact should be replaced”
       • “Does not protect chin from impacts” together with symbol – for non-protective lower face cover
       • “Warning – Do not apply paint, stickers, petrol or other solvents to this helmet”
       • Every helmet shall be clearly marked with its size and its maximum weight
       • Shall bear the type of visor
       • Every visor attached to a helmet shall include information on general instruction for storage and care; instructions for cleaning; suitability of the visor for use in conditions of poor visibility, daytime and night time
    4. Conspicuity marking – Helmet may be required to contribute to the conspicuity of the rider both during daytime and night through use of reflective materials in the front, rear, right and left.