ASTM F2278-19(2023)

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: F2278 − 19 (Reapproved 2023) An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Evaluating Paintball Barrier Netting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2278; 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
This standard is intended to provide a basic test method that would allow the user to determine the
effectiveness of paintball barrier netting. The use of safe paintball barrier netting at paintball playing
facilities is critical to protect non-players from accidental impact of a paintball.
This specification is written within the current state-of-the-art of paintball barrier netting
technology. The intent is to revise this specification whenever substantive information becomes
available which justifies revising existing requirements or adding new requirements.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method is designed to evaluate paintball barrier
F1979 Specification for Projectiles Used in the Sport of
netting that may be used to delineate playing fields, chrono-
Paintball
graph areas, target ranges, and other “goggle-on” areas of an
F2184 Guide for Installation of Paintball Barrier Netting
active paintball site. An apparatus is suggested to evaluate
F2272 Specification for Paintball Markers
paintball barrier netting in a laboratory. On site testing does not
require such an apparatus.
3. Terminology
1.2 This standard is designed to be used in conjunction with 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Guide F2184. 3.1.1 caliber, n—the term used to refer to the size of a
paintball projectile. Related to the measurement of the diam-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
eter of the paintball as described in Specification F1979.
standard; the inch-pound units in parentheses are provided for
3.1.2 “goggles-on” area, n—areas in which all persons are
information only.
required to wear paintball goggles, such as and not limited to
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
playing fields, game areas, chronograph areas, and target
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ranges.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.3 muzzle, n—the end of the paintball marker through
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
which the paintball is discharged, also referred to as the end of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the barrel.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.4 paintball, n—a projectile comprised of a shell and a
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
fill, designed to be expelled from a paintball marker and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
conforms to Specification F1979.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.5 paintball barrier netting, n—netting used in the sport
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
of paintball as a protective barrier.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.6 paintball marker, n—a device specifically designed to
discharge paintballs. The device is sometimes referred to as a
paintball gun.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F08.24 on Paintball and Equipment. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2023. Published April 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as F2278 – 19. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F2278-19R23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2278 − 19 (2023)
3.1.7 playing field, n—an area delineated by a boundary
marker, in which paintball games are conducted.
3.1.8 shell, n—a rigid to semi-rigid material (generally of
gelatin) that encapsulates the fill of a paintball.
3.1.9 standard ambient temperature (SAT), n—used to de-
scribe a substance at a temperature of 25 6 2°C (77 6 4°F).
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This method is performed to evaluate if paintball barrier
netting will prevent an intact paintball or shell fragments
exceeding 3 by 5 mm (0.118 by 0.197 in.) from passing
through the netting.
FIG. 1 Testing Apparatus Layout
4.2 This test method provides accurate results about the
current effectiveness of the test specimen when field-tested in
an existing installation. Laboratory results are particularly
specimen off the floor and providing vertical support 122 6 1
useful for testing the relative effectiveness of multiple test
cm (48 6 0.5 in.) apart at the center of the test specimen (see
specimens.
Figs. 2 and 3). The bottom crossbar must have a minimum
4.3 The results stemming from the use of this test method
length of 2.74 m (108 in.) and a weight of 5.6 6 0.1 kg (12.3
may be used to evaluate the effectiveness of paintball barrier
6 0.2 lb).
netting represented by the test specimen for use in delineating
“goggles-on” areas found at paintball playing fields.
7. Hazards
4.4 The base procedure outlined below is applicable to
7.1 Failure of the test specimen, particularly if an intact
“field-testing.” Additional requirements for “laboratory” test-
paintball passes through the test specimen, will render the test
ing are noted.
specimen unusable until the test specimen is repaired or
replaced.
5. Interferences
8. Test Specimen
5.1 Laboratory testing does not account for variations that
can be found in field tests. These variations include and are not
8.1 The test specimen shall consist of paintball barrier
limited to temperature, UV exposure, wind direction,
netting installed in actual use conditions, or
precipitation, and method of installation.
8.2 For laboratory test only:
5.1.1 This test method is also useful to evaluate the relative
8.2.1 The top of the test specimen is draped over the top
performance of one test specimen to another, particularly in the
crossbar and fastened to itself with tie-wraps spaced 15.2 6 1
laboratory.
cm (6 6 0.5 in.) apart. The tie-wraps must encircle the top
crossbar.
6.
...