ASTM F355-23

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: F355 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Impact Attenuation of Playing Surface Systems, Other
Protective Sport Systems, and Materials Used for Athletics,
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Recreation and Play
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F355; 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 priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This test method measures the impact attenuation of
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
surface systems and materials, specifically the peak impact
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
acceleration (“impact shock”) and calculates the Head Injury
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Criteria produced under prescribed impact conditions.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.2 This test method is applicable to surface systems in-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
tended to provide impact attenuation, made of naturally occur-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ring or synthetic materials.
2. Referenced Documents
1.3 This test method is applicable to impact attenuating
mats and padding used in sports facilities, including, but not 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
limited to: stadium wall padding, gymnastic mats, wrestling
D5874 Test Methods for Determination of the Impact Value
mats, turf playing systems, pole vault landing systems, and
(IV) of a Soil
playground protective surfacing.
E105 Guide for Probability Sampling of Materials
1.4 This test method is used to measure the impact attenu- E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
ation of materials and components used as protective padding
on trampoline frames, goal posts, etc., provided the material or Lot or Process
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
component can be tested separately from the equipment to
which it is attached. Determine the Precision of a Test Method
F1702 Test Method for Measuring Impact-Attenuation Char-
1.5 Without modifications, this test method shall not be used
acteristics of Natural Playing Surface Systems Using a
to test materials and components that are attached to structures
Lightweight Portable Apparatus
or equipment or finished products, unless the impact attenua-
F2650 Terminology Relating to Impact Testing of Sports
tion of the whole system is of interest.
Surfaces and Equipment
1.6 While it is widely believed that lower values for impact
2.2 SAE Standard:
attenuation can reduce the severity of impact-related injuries,
SAE J211/1 Instrumentation for Impact Tests - Part 1 -
the relationships between the results of this test method and
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Electronic Instrumentation (rev. July 2007)
specific injury risk are within automotive testing data.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3. Terminology
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3.1 Definitions of terms related to impact testing of sports
only.
surfaces equipment are found in Terminology F2650, except as
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
noted.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 Definitions:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Subcommittee F08.52 on Miscellaneous Playing Surfaces. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2023. Published February 2024. Originally the ASTM website.
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approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as F355 – 16 . DOI: Available from SAE International (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Dr., Warrendale,
10.1520/F0355-23. PA 15096-0001, http://www.sae.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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F355 − 23
3.2.1 drop height, n—height from which the missile is 3.3.1.3 triaxial accelerometer, n—a transducer or combina-
dropped d
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