Helmet safety standards
Posted By : Andy Vowell, 21-Jun-2007, 06:27pm
Thanks for the heads up JOhn.
On the same subject I was bemused about helmet standards a few years back when the SNELL2000 was issued and web forums were discussing that now SNELL had been updated it was about time the British Standard helmets were "outlawed". I had access to all these standards in my job at the time and was able to directly compare the two. I was racing with a BS helmet then so obvoiusly had a vested interest.
What I found was that the two standards are very similar with the principal difference in the destructive testing in that SNELL is more centred on car racing so had some additional impact tests against a roll bar type anvil.The BS did not have this but still had the spike, dome and flat anvils on the same loads as the snell tests (which also had spike, dome and flat anvils). All the testing loads were virtually the same in both standards.
What I'm trying to point out is that though you may have, or decide to choose a BS helmet this does not mean it is sub standard to a SNELL helmet, just that it had undergone a slightly different test regime.
Personally I have one of each and actually think my British Standard AGV helmet is better constructed than my SNELL Simpson helmet. But the Simpson is lighter, is theoretically of a (very slightly) higher standard, and looks so much meaner, so thats the one I wear
In the end the old addage of how much do you value your head applies.
Andy
ps Not looked at SNELL 2005 so dunno if its much different to SNELL2000
On the same subject I was bemused about helmet standards a few years back when the SNELL2000 was issued and web forums were discussing that now SNELL had been updated it was about time the British Standard helmets were "outlawed". I had access to all these standards in my job at the time and was able to directly compare the two. I was racing with a BS helmet then so obvoiusly had a vested interest.
What I found was that the two standards are very similar with the principal difference in the destructive testing in that SNELL is more centred on car racing so had some additional impact tests against a roll bar type anvil.The BS did not have this but still had the spike, dome and flat anvils on the same loads as the snell tests (which also had spike, dome and flat anvils). All the testing loads were virtually the same in both standards.
What I'm trying to point out is that though you may have, or decide to choose a BS helmet this does not mean it is sub standard to a SNELL helmet, just that it had undergone a slightly different test regime.
Personally I have one of each and actually think my British Standard AGV helmet is better constructed than my SNELL Simpson helmet. But the Simpson is lighter, is theoretically of a (very slightly) higher standard, and looks so much meaner, so thats the one I wear
In the end the old addage of how much do you value your head applies.
Andy
ps Not looked at SNELL 2005 so dunno if its much different to SNELL2000
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Helmet safety standards
Posted By : Steve Smith, 21-Jun-2007, 08:23pm
Very intersting stuff. Here in the US Snell is the only choice we have so I'll only comment on Andy's 2000 vs 2005 mention.
I was forced to buy a 2005 by the sanctioning body this year obsoleting my perfectly fine 2000 Simpson Voyager. I was somewhat mollified when I noted how much lighter the new Voyager was. It's paid for now, the pain is gone but that lightness still feels good when I put it on.
Steve-
Helmet safety standards
Posted By : Barry Huffer, 22-Jun-2007, 12:54pm
Andy
Have you got a divers helmet for wet weather racing at silverstone.
Regards-
Helmet safety standards
Posted By : John Davies, 30-Jun-2007, 10:16am
All,
My MP has replied, has written to the Transport Minister and will write again when they reply.
However, that was then and this is the Age of the Brown Cabinet, with Ruth Kelly now in the Transport driving seat.
So don't hold your breath.
John-
Helmet safety standards
Posted By : John Davies, 30-Jul-2007, 08:10pm
All,
Reply received from the Junior Minister for Vehicle Safety Issues, Jim Fitzpatrick.
See below.
If anyone plans to buy a helmet soon, I suggest that you wait until after Christmas.
John
Department for Transport
From the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street London SW1 P 4DR
Ben Wallace MP House of Commons London
SW1A OAA
Tel: 020 7944 2566 Fax: 020 7944 4309 E-Mail: jim.fitzpatrick@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Web site: www.dft.gov.uk
Our Ref: JF/015893/07
Dear Ben
20 July 2007
Thank you for your letter of 26 June addressed to Stephen Ladyman enclosing correspondence from your constituent John Davies of Lancaster regarding our new system for grading crash helmets. I am replying as I have Ministerial responsibility for vehicle safety issues.
The article to which Mr Davies refers in Motorcycle News (June 13, 2007) announced our plans to create a new safety rating for motorcycle helmets that will enable riders to more easily select a helmet that matches their needs. Our laboratory tests show there are real differences in the safety performance of motorcycle helmets available in the market. Whilst all satisfy the minimum legal requirements, I believe that providing objective advice concerning the level of protection a safety helmet provides will assist riders when making this very important purchasing decision. At this stage, we are not looking to change the law but the scientific evidence gained from this programme may prove valuable in supporting proposals for regulatory change in the future.
I cannot confirm technical details about the form that the safety rating will take, nor an initial list of helmets to be tested. Clearly it will take time to build a complete database, but in the future I hope that there will be a rating for every helmet model. It is our aim to launch the actual scheme towards the end of 2007, so that it could influence helmet performance as early as the 2008 model year range.
We are currently seeking the views of a number of industry stakeholders and will make public further details in due course.
Yours Sincerely
JIM FITZPATRICK
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Helmet safety standards
Posted By : Jonathan Binnington, 31-Jul-2007, 11:19am
John, having been involved with some details of helmet design in the past I have an interest in this subject, notably the differences in performances of different helmets which meet the same basic test standards.
Can I offer my assistance and interest?
Jonathan-
Helmet safety standards
Posted By : John Davies, 31-Jul-2007, 11:29am
Jonathan,
I'm sure that your expertise would be useful!
But I'm only an interested observer, who wants to buy a new helmet soon.
May I suggest you write to Jim Fitzpatrick?
This of course applies to anyone else who has expertise in the subject.
Helmets aren't needed for road use of Triumphs, but there shousld be a motorsport representative on the Committee.
The MSA seems spectacularly uninterested, almost as if it's a biker problem and nothing to do with them.
John
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