Performance Requirement Revisions for M2005 and SA/K2005 Standards
Differences with the 2000 Standards

1. The test line will be shifted to no closer than 40 mm to the nearest point on the
boundary of the extent of protection. Effectively, this leaves the test line as it
was for M2000 and SA2000 in the brow area and lowers it 10 mm on the sides
and in the back of the helmet.

2. Impact levels and impact test criteria are specified for two levels of testing: the
standard level and the deviation level. The standard level applies to helmets
tested in certification and for first round RST. Passing testing at the standard
level demonstrates that the samples merit the Foundation’s certification. The
deviation level is for samples tested in second round RST. If samples of
certified models fail at the deviation level, it is a clear demonstration that the
model no longer reliably meets requirements.

3. The cold temperature conditioning for SA2005 and K2005 has been replaced
with a “cold storage” provision. Helmets will not be tested cold but may be
cycled through a -20° C cold environment and then allowed to return to lab
ambient temperature before continuing with standard test procedures. The cold
conditioning for M2005 remains at -20° C and M2005 samples may be tested
cold .

4. The M2005 draft includes specific provisions for flip-up type headgear. These
provisions are the same as those adopted for testing flip-up configurations for
M2000 but, after this, they will be in print. The provisions are that flip-up
configurations must meet all the requirements set for standard full face
headgear and, additionally, the samples must not “flip up” inadvertently during
testing.

5. The standards include a restriction against a particular method for attaching
fabric chinstraps: if fabric chinstraps are used for retention, they must not be
secured to the shell by rivets passed directly through the fabric. The preferred
method used in almost every Snell certified helmet is to loop and sew the straps
about a metal hanger which is in turn riveted or bolted to the shell. However,
reasonable alternatives to this method will also be considered.

6. Replaceable components critical to protective capability must be suitably
marked. In particular, face shields of full face helmets must be marked with
manufacturer name and the month and year of manufacture.

7. The shell penetration test procedures now specify that testing may be
performed on any site on or above the test line and that shell penetration test
sites must be no closer than 7.5 cm to any other shell penetration or impact test
site. The test equipment has been modified to enable shell penetration testing
to be applied to the full extent of the test area.

8. The standards also include a post-test disassembly and inspection operation
in order to detect potentially hazardous internal projections, any internal features
considered implausible for production headgear and deviations from the
configurations originally certified.