ASTM F3031-17(2022)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3031 − 17 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Practice for
Range of Motion Evaluation of First Responder’s Protective
Ensembles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3031; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Protective ensembles such as firefighter turnout gear, HAZMAT suits, etc., may impose a negative
ergonomic impact on the wearer. This impact may involve restriction of movement and overall
discomfort to the wearer. The possible increased restrictions of mobility during the use of protective
ensemblesmayresultininjuriestothemusculoskeletalsystem,decreasedperformance,anddecreased
comfort. It is up to the end user to decide the meaningfulness of the information provided with the use
of this standard for the performance of his/her job. This ergonomic standard practice is to determine
and report the range of motion (ROM) of the protective ensemble or base ensemble, or both, and has
been designed to allow for comparisons of the ROM between ensembles of the same class (firefighter
turnout gear) and from different classes (firefighter ensemble versus HAZMAT suit).
1. Scope priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This practice specifies the test equipment and proce-
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
dures for assessing ROM on subjects wearing a protective
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
clothing ensemble.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.2 This practice covers the ergonomic measurements of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
range of motion and subjective perceptions.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 To increase safety during testing, this practice requires
the use of human participants who meet specific health and
2. Referenced Documents
physical fitness requirements.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.4 This practice does not attempt to determine other
F1291 Test Method for Measuring the Thermal Insulation of
clothing characteristics, such as thermal insulation and evapo-
Clothing Using a Heated Manikin
rative resistance of the protective clothing ensemble. Test
F1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
Methods F1291 and F2370 can be used for these measure-
F2370 Test Method for Measuring the Evaporative Resis-
ments.
tance of Clothing Using a Sweating Manikin
1.5 The values stated in this standard shall be SI units.
2.2 BSI Standards:
1.6 It is the responsibility of the test laboratory to obtain the
BS EN 469 Protective Clothing for Firefighters – Perfor-
necessary and appropriate approval(s) required by their insti-
mance Requirements for Protective Clothing for Firefight-
tution for conducting tests using human participants.
ing
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
BS 8469 Personal Protective Equipment for Firefighters –
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the Assessment of Ergonomic Performance and Compatibility
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
– Requirements and Test Methods
1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on Personal For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
F23.60 on Human Factors. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2022. Published February 2022. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 2017. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as F3031 – 17. DOI: Available from British Standards Institution (BSI), 389 Chiswick High Rd.,
10.1520/F3031-17R22. London W4 4AL, U.K., http://www.bsigroup.com.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3031 − 17 (2022)
2.3 ISO Standard: 5.1.1 Relative Humidity Measurement—Use a humidity-
ISO 10551 Ergonomics of the Thermal Environment – sensing device and have an accuracy of 65 % relative humid-
Assessment of the Influence of the Thermal Environment ity and a repeatability of 63 % to be acceptable (for example,
Using Subjective Judgement Scales wet bulb/dry bulb, dew point hygrometer).
5.1.2 Air Temperature Sensors—Use shielded air tempera-
3. Terminology
ture sensors. The sensor shall have an overall accuracy of
3.1 Definitions:
60.15 °C (for example, resistance temperature detectors
3.1.1 Refer to Terminology F1494 for definitions of terms
(RTDs), thermocouple, sensor). The sensor shall have a time
used in this practice.
constant not exceeding 1 min.
3.1.2 clothing ensemble, n—forfirstresponders,aprotective
5.2 Measuring Mobility—Standard instruments include a
ensemble.
flexible tape measure, circumference tape, washable marker,
and platform scale to perform anthropometric measurements.
4. Significance and Use
Use specific ergonomic assessment equipment during ergo-
4.1 This practice can be used for the evaluation of the ROM
nomic assessments: large- and small-joint goniometer or
of protective clothing ensembles worn under controlled condi-
electro-goniometer, flex tester sit-and-reach flexibility test box,
tions and can provide guidelines for the motion evaluation of
and skinfold caliper.
PPE.
5.3 Measuring Subjective Perceptions—Assess subjective
4.1.1 This practice utilizes a space large enough to allow
perceptions, as it relates to ROM. Refer to ISO 10551 for the
userstomovefreelyduringthetasksandachairandastretcher
instructions on creating and using judgement scales.
to measure certain body joint mobility.
5.4 ParticipantClothingEnsembles—Chooseandwearbase
NOTE 1—Since required range of motion values will be related to the
work task to be done while wearing the protective ensemble, the end user ensemble clothing (of identical design and construction) that is
should decide meaningfulness of the information provided by this
appropriate for all of the different ensembles that are being
standard for the performance of their job.
evaluated. If the base ensemble is not specified, then a T-shirt,
4.2 This practice establishes general procedures for the athletic shorts, socks, and underwear shall be used as the
evaluation based on the measurement of range of motion and
defaultbaseensembleandshallbeconstructedof100 %cotton
subjective perceptions.
where possible. Sock selection shall be based on the type of
4.2.1 The data obtained can be used to evaluate the ROM of
footwear used (for example, boot socks with boots). The
the test participant while wearing a protective clothing en-
participant must wear identical base ensemble clothing and
semble.
shoes for all the tests for which they are involved, even if the
4.2.2 The data are also potentially useful in the research and
test sessions occur on different days. The base ensemble worn
development of advanced ensembles that are designed for
must be recorded each session.
optimal mobility and comfort or reduce strain on the wearer
5.4.1 If intended to be reused or laundered, launder en-
thereby reducing the potential injury associated with wearing
semble in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Set
the protective clothing ensemble.
the number of laundering cycles to be consistent with the
4.2.3 The data are also potentially useful for first responder
objectives of the testing.
organizations to compare the ROM while wearing different
5.4.2 Athletic Shoes—Wear athletic shoes with a soft rubber
ensembles.
sole during testing, unless the protective ensemble includes
4.2.4 This practice could also be used by consensus stan-
footwearaspartoftheensembleorifitsinstructionsforuselist
dards organizations in the development of ergonomic test
a required type of footwear.
criteria for protective ensembles.
5.4.3 As needed between wear test sessions, protective
clothing ensembles shall be cleaned in accordance with the
4.3 Departuresfromtheinstructionsinthispracticehavethe
manufacturer’s instructions. The number of cleanings/
potential to lead to significantly different test results. Technical
launderings shall be recorded and reported.
knowledge concerning mobility of body joints, subjective
evaluations, and testing practices is needed to evaluate which
6. Sampling, Participants, and Familiarization Period
departures from the instructions given in this practice are
significant. All departures must be reported with the results.
6.1 Sampling—Test a minimum of eight different partici-
pants to evaluate the performance of each protective clothing
5. Apparatus
ensemble.
5.1 Laboratory Space with Environmental Measures—A
6.2 Test Participants—Individuals who participate in this
room that is large enough to accommodate the tasks that the
test shall do so strictly on a volunteer basis. Test laboratories
testparticipantwillperform.Also,theroomconditionsshallbe
shall adhere to all internal regulations regarding human testing
stable and recorded during testing. Use standard lab equipment
and obtain the required human testing approval from their
to measure the ambient environmental conditions under which
respective institutions. Participants shall be informed of all the
the testing occurs.
details of this standard practice and the associated risks and
benefits prior to providing their informed written consent.
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
Complete anonymity and confidentiality shall be given to each
Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier,
Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org. participant.
F3031 − 17 (2022)
6.2.1 Select test participants either from a general popula- 7.2.1.1 Static ROM—Assess ensemble impact by measuring
tion or a specific target population (for example, firefighters). the degrees of maximal displacement/flexibility of different
6.2.2 Medical Evaluation—If the respective institutional
body joints.
review committee’s rules and regulations for ergonomic re-
7.2.1.2 Shoulder Flexion:
search require a medical evaluation or screening, have one
Start Position:The subject is supine.The arm is at the side,
completed for each test subject prior to the evaluation.
with the palm facing medially.
6.2.3 Participant Gender—Unless a specific target popula-
End Position: Subject remains supine, dominant humerus
tion is being evaluated, select participants of either gender.
has moved anteriorly and dominant shoulder is fully flexed
6.2.4 Participant Age and Stature—Unless a specific target
(without shoulder elevation). See Appendix X1.
populationisbeingevaluated,selectadultsbetweentheagesof
Goniometer Position: Place the goniometer axis at the
18 and 55 years. If testing males, the body mass of the
center and at the lateral aspect of the humeral head. This is
participants shall be between 65 and 100 kg (143 and 220 lb)
approximately 2.5 cm inferior to the lateral aspect of the
and body height between 1.70 and 1.95 m (67 and 77 in.). If
acromion process. Place the stationary arm lateral to the
testing females, the body mass of the participants shall be
subject’s dominant side in the sagittal plane, running along the
between 50 and 90 kg (110 and 198 lb) and body height
mid-axillarly line, and pointing toward the floor. Place the
between 1.60 and 1.85 m (63 and 73 in.).
movable arm parallel to the humeral longitudinal axis, and
NOTE 2—Other heights and weights should be considered if a specific pointing toward the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. The
group of individuals is the main focus of the ergonomics evaluation.
assessed value shall be the total degrees of movement from the
6.2.5 Ensemble Sizing—Choose protective ensembles for starting to the ending position.
each test subject based on sizing information provided by the
7.2.1.3 Shoulder Abduction:
garment manufacturer.
Start Position: Subject is standing in anatomical position.
6.2.6 Test Sessions—Commit participants to multiple test
EndPosition:Thedominantarmhasmovedlaterallytofull
sessions as needed depending on the number of ensembles to
shoulder abduction without elevating the shoulder or flexing
be evaluated.
the elbow. See Appendix X1.
Goniometer Position: Place the goniometer axis at the
6.3 Familiarization Period—Provide a test familiarization
midpoint of posterior aspect of the glenohumeral joint. This is
sessionpriortotheactualtestingforthepurposeofintroducing
approximately 1.3 cm inferiolateral to the coracoid process.
individuals to the test protocol and allowing them to become
familiar with the protective clothing ensemble, the measure- Place the stationary arm parallel to the coronal plane, on the
posterior aspect of the humerus (when in anatomical position)
ments being obtained, and the laboratory test area.
and pointing toward the floor. Place the movable arm parallel
6.4 Safety Provisions—Authorize each test subject to termi-
to the longitudinal axis of the humerus (throughout the
nate testing for any reason without penalty. There must be an
motion). The assessed value shall be the total degrees of
established emergency response routine in the event of a
movement from the starting to the ending position.
significant adverse response to the test.
7.2.1.4 Cervical Rotation:
Start Position: Subject is seated with the head and neck in
7. Procedure
anatomical position.
7.1 Environmental Test Conditions—Standardize the envi-
End Position: The subject’s neck is rotated to the limit of
ronmental conditions provided below for all tests.
motion in both directions. See Appendix X1.
7.1.1 Air Velocity—Set air velocity at a level that is appro-
Goniometer Position: Place one goniometer strap around
priate for the protective clothing ensembles being tested. If air
the chin and over the top of the head. Place the dial at the
velocity is not specified, choose an air velocity of no greater
center of the top of the head. The assessed value shall be the
than 0.5 m⁄s as the default value.
total degrees of movement from the starting to the ending
7.1.2 Relative Humidity—Set relative humidity at a level
position, recording both directions.
that is appropriate for the protective clothing ensembles being
7.2.1.5 Cervical Flexion and Extensio
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