ASTM F2574-06

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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An American National Standard
Designation: F2574 – 06
Standard Specification for
Low Velocity Projectile Marker
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2574; 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.
1. Scope Z535.1 Safety Color Code
1.1 Thisspecificationcoverslowvelocityprojectilemarkers
3. Terminology
(herein referred to as LVP marker) that propel a low velocity
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
resilient material projectile (herein referred to as LVRM
3.1.1 auto-trigger—trigger that, when held in the discharge
projectile as defined in Specification F2573) by means of
position, will automatically cause the LVPmarker to discharge
energy released by compressed air, compressed gas, or a
when the pump or bolt action is manipulated.
combination thereof, with velocity not to exceed 53.34 m/s
3.1.2 backstop—object intended to stop a LVRM projectile.
(175 ft/s).
3.1.3 barrel—that portion of a LVP marker through which
1.2 LVRM projectiles are made of a resilient material and
the LVRM projectile is discharged.
have a diameter no smaller than 20 mm (0.7874 in) and no
3.1.4 barrel blocking device—muzzle blocking safety de-
greater than 30 mm (1.18 in.). The hardness of the LVRM
vice that when properly installed, reduces the likelihood of an
projectile is to be no greater than 75 Shore 00. The weight of
intact LVRM projectile discharging from the marker or leaving
the LVRM projectile is not to exceed 4.0 g.
the confines of the barrel blocking device. The device is often
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
referred to as a barrel plug or sleeve.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3.1.5 cautionary statement—warning outlined in Section 9
only.
that is to be placed on LVP markers, packaging, and literature.
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
3.1.6 disabling device—device that, when activated, dis-
test method portion, Section 8, of this specification. This
ables a part of the LVP marker, usually the trigger, to prevent
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
unintentional discharges and must be released to allow the
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
marker to be discharged by the movement of the trigger. The
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
deviceissometimesreferredtoasthe“safety,”“safetybutton,”
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
or “safety lever.” An electronic on/off switch is considered a
tions prior to use.
disabling device if when placed in the “off” position, it renders
2. Referenced Documents the marker inoperable.
2 3.1.7 discharge mode—mode that controls the number of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
LVRM projectiles discharged per trigger cycle.
F1750 Specification for Paintball Marker Threaded-
3.1.8 feed mechanism—mechanism that stores, transports,
Propellant Source Interface
and facilitates the loading of LVRM projectiles. It may be
F1776 Specification for Eye Protective Devices for Paint-
gravity,mechanicallyorairassisted,orautomaticinitsactions.
ball Sports
3.1.9 hopper—device used with a LVP marker to store
F2573 Specification for Low Velocity Resilient Material
LVRM projectiles.
Projectile
3.1.10 impact tester—device used to test for accidental
2.2 ANSI Standard:
discharges of LVP marker. See Fig. 1.
3.1.11 low velocity resilient material projectile—object pro-
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F08 on Sports
pelled by means of a discharge mechanism, capable of storing
Equipment and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.24 on
and releasing energy under the control of the operator, com-
Paintball and Equipment.
prised of a resilient material, and has a diameter no smaller
Current edition approved May 1, 2006. Published May 2006. DOI: 10.1520/
F2574-06.
than 20 mm (0.7874 in) and no greater than 30 mm (1.18 in.).
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
The hardness of the low velocity resilient material projectile is
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
to be no greater than 75 Shore 00. The weight is not to exceed
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
4.0 g.
the ASTM website.
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F2574 – 06
A. Release Latch
B. Compression Spring (spring rate 1.145 kg/cm or 16.28 lb/in.)
C. Impact Ball (new pressurized tennis ball with regular felt, total mass of moving parts is 1.13 kg or 2.5 lb)
D. Plastic tube with 7.62 cm (3 in.) internal diameter
E. Face placed against marker
F. Cocking arm
G. Stroke of 15.21 cm (6 in.)
H. Secured support base
FIG. 1 Impact Tester
3.1.12 low velocity projectile marker—device specifically 3.1.18 standard ambient temperature and pressure
designed to discharge low velocity resilient material projec- (SATP)—used to describe a substance at the pressure of 1 bar
tiles. (1.01325 atmospheres, 750 mm Hg, 14.5 psi, 100 kPa) and a
3.1.13 pump mode marker—marker that requires the opera- temperature of 25°C (77°F).
tor to manually cock or engage the sear of the marker before 3.1.19 target—object at which the LVRM projectile shall be
each shot by a means of a pump, bolt, lever, cocking handle, or discharged.
similar device. 3.1.20 trigger—device operated by the user to discharge a
3.1.14 range—maximum distance to which an object may marker.
be propelled, whether limited by energy or an obstacle. 3.1.21 trigger cycle—movement of the trigger through dis-
3.1.15 sear—catch that holds the mechanism in the ready- charge and returning to a reset or recycle position.
to-dischargepositionuntilreleasedbytheuser,usuallythrough 3.1.22 trigger pull—force required to move the trigger from
trigger movement. its start or recycle/reset position to a position that discharges
3.1.16 semi-automatic mode marker—semi-automatic the marker.
marker discharges one time with each trigger cycle. Markers
4. Significance and Use
that “store” the number of trigger pulls and discharge more
than one LVRM projectile at some point do not meet this 4.1 This specification establishes performance requirements
definition. Markers that operate in any other discharge mode(s) and test methods for LVP markers.
do not meet this definition. 4.2 This specification identifies the minimum warnings and
3.1.17 shore 00—applicable durometer type scale to mea- instructions that are to be provided in literature, on labels, on
sure the hardness of sponge and foam materials. packaging, and on the marker itself.
F2574 – 06
5. Conformance that the weights can be picked up by the trigger of the marker
with the marker in a vertical position, muzzle up. (A spring
5.1 LVP markers shall not, either by label or other means,
gagecapableofmeasuringthetriggerforcecanbeusedinstead
indicate conformance with this specification, unless at the time
of the weight system.)
of manufacture they conform to all applicable requirements
8.2.3 Test Specimen—The test specimen shall consist of a
contained herein.
new LVP marker selected in accordance with the manufactur-
6. Procedure
er’s usual quality assurance practices.
6.1 Literature—Literature shall be provided with each LVP
8.2.4 Procedure:
marker and shall include, as applicable, the instructions,
8.2.4.1 Conduct the test at SATP.
cautionary statements, and safety tips specified in Section 11.
8.2.4.2 Conduct all tests without LVRM Projectiles in the
6.2 Packaging—Packaging shall be labeled in a prominent
marker.
and conspicuous manner in accordance with the provisions of
8.2.4.3 Place disabling device in “safe” position or the
10.1.
electronic switch in the “off” position.
6.3 Finish—The exposed edges of all LVP markers shall be
8.2.4.4 Applya13.6kg(30lb)loadatthecenterpointofthe
smooth and free of sharp edges and burrs.
trigger for 30 s with the load applied to the center of the face
6.4 Shipping:
of the trigger and remove the load.
6.4.1 Each LVPmarker shall be shipped in an unloaded and
8.2.4.5 Put disabling device in the “fire” position or the
degassed condition.
electronic switch in the “on” position. The marker must not
6.4.2 All LVP markers must shoot at a velocity under 53.34
discharge as the safety is disengaged.
m/s (175 ft/s) at the time of shipment at SATP.
8.2.4.6 Test the marker for proper trigger and disabling
6.5 Design:
device action.
6.5.1 All LVP markers intended to be used with removable
8.2.4.7 The marker passes the test if it withstands the load
cylinders shall be able to withstand input pressure of 3000
applied without causing the marker to discharge during the
lb/in. 207 bar (3000 psi) without catastrophic failure. Leaking
application of the load and does not discharge upon the
in a manner that would not cause injury to the operator shall
disengagement of the disabling device, and the disabling
not constitute failure in accordance with Specification F1750.
device and trigger function properly after testing.
6.5.2 Amarker’s performance may not be enhanced, includ-
8.3 Accidental Discharge Test:
ing but not limited to increasing the markers’velocity without
the use of tools or disassembly. 8.3.1 Significance—LVP markers should not discharge
6.5.3 All LVP markers shall only operate in semi-automatic while their disabling device is disengaged.
or pump mode and may not operate in other discharge modes.
8.3.2 Test Specimen—The test specimen shall consist of a
new LVP marker, selected in accordance with the manufactur-
7. Performance Requirements
er’s usual quality assurance practices.
7.1 Marker Function—The cocking or pumping mechanism
8.3.3 Procedure:
of a LVP marker shall not cause a marker to discharge
8.3.3.1 Conduct the test at SATP.
unintentionally while a marker is being cocked in accordance
8.3.3.2 Attach a properly charged propellant source if re-
with the manufacturer’s instructions. This does not limit the
quired in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Test
use of “auto-triggers.” Markers shall be a pump or a semi-
discharge the marker.
automatic, or both, as defined in this specification.
8.3.3.3 Leave the marker in the ready to discharge condi-
7.2 Disabling Device—Disabling devices shall be provided
tion.
on all LVP markers and all such devices shall keep from firing
8.3.3.4 Suspend marker using a sling (see Fig. 2).
marker whether or not the marker is cocked. All such devices
shall be clearly marked to indicate the “safe” and “fire” or “on” 8.3.3.5 Place the cocked impact tester (see Fig. 1) against
the side of the marker centered on the grip frame directly
and “off” positions in accordance with 3.1.6. All such devices
shall be capable of preventing the markers from being dis- behind the center point of the trigger with the impact tester
firmly affixed to an immobile surface.
charged when a weight of 13.6 kg (30 lb) is applied to the
trigger. Tests shall be conducted in accordance with 8.3.
8.3.3.6 Release the impact tester and observe if the marker
7.3 Accidental Discharge—Markers should not accidentally discharges.
discharge when exposed testing in accordance with 8.3.
8.3.3.7 Repeat by impacting the marker on the following
axis:
8. Test Methods
(1) 180 degrees to the first impact.
8.1 No precision statement on any of the following test
(2) The front of the barrel aligned with the barrel’s axis.
methods is available at this time.
(3) The rearmost point of the marker aligned with the
8.2 Disabling Device Test:
barrel’s axis.
8.2.1 Significance—This method determines if the disabling
8.3.3.8 The marker fails if it discharges on any impact.
device will withstand a 13.6 kg (30 lb) applied weight without
8.4 Barrel Blocking Device Requirement:
failure, causing the marker to discharge.
8.2.2 Apparatus—Atrigger weight system having a 13.6 6 8.4.1 Significance—All LVP markers that include a barrel
0.02 kg (30 6 0.05 lb) weight. Arrange the weight system so must be packaged with a barrel blocking device.
F2574 – 06
A. Yoke
B. Pivot Bolt
C. Swivel
D. 91.29 cm (36 in.) Strap or Rope
E. 60.86 cm (24 in.) aluminum bar with 1.27 cm (0.5 in.) diameter or 1.9 cm (0.75 in.) copper tube
F. Hook and loop strap able to suspend marker parallel to and 15.21 cm (6 in.) below E
FIG. 2 Sling Example
8.4.2 Test Specimen—The test specimen shall consist of a 8.5.4.1 Conduct the test at room temperature [16 to 27°C
new LVP marker packaged in the manufacturer’s original (60 to 80°F)].
packaging. 8.5.4.2 The marker shall be dropped onto a specified impact
8.4.3 Procedure—Open packaging and inspect for the pres- area as a completely assembled operational unit without
ence of a barrel blocking device. Any package not containing projectiles.
a barrel blocking device fails this requirement. 8.5.4.3 Hold the marker at a height of 0.93 m (3 ft, 0.5 in.)
8.5 Impact Testing: above the tile floor area, measured from the point on the
8.5.1 Significance—The test is intended to simulate situa- marker that is nearest the tile floor area. The sample shall be
tions in which possible damage can occur by reason of its allowed to come to rest after each drop and shall be examined
falling or other impact situations that may occur as a result of and evaluated before continuing.
reasonably foreseeable abuse.After undergoing the appropriate 8.5.4.4 Drop the marker in the following six orientations:
test, the marker shall be examined for damaged or fractured (1) With barrel vertical so that the butt of the marker hits
components or parts. The marker is not fit for use if damage or the tile floor area;
fracture is observed. (2) With barrel vertical so that the muzzle of the marker
8.5.2 Apparatus: hits the tile floor area;
8.5.2.1 Tile Floor Area—The impact medium shall consist (3) With barrel horizontal so that the bottom of the marker
ofa3mm( ⁄8 in.) nominal thickness of Type IV vinyl hits the tile floor area;
composition tile, composition 1-asbestos free, as specified in (4) With barrel horizontal so that the top of the marker hits
FederalSpecificationSS-T-312Boveratleasta64mm(2.5in.) the tile floor area;
thickness of concrete. The impact area shall be at least 0.3 (5) With barrel horizontal so that the right side of the
2 2
m (3 ft ). marker hits the tile floor area; and
8.5.2.2 Concr
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