ASTM F3100-15(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: F3100 − 15 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Practice for
Low Impact Paintball Field Operation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3100; 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 practice sets forth procedures for conducting a form of low impact paintball games through the
establishment of specific game rules and equipment requirements which serve to reduce the discomfort
sometimes experienced by participants from paintball impacts in traditional paintball games. Specific
paintball markers and specific calibers of paintball may be required. The goal is to assist paintball field
operators in running a safe business. Like any other physical activity, paintball presents a potential for
injury. No procedural practice can prevent all injuries, especially when paintball players do not follow
safety instructions. The ultimate responsibility for preventing injury lies with the paintball player. This
practice, however, intends to promote specific game rules and equipment requirements for safe low
impact paintball field operation through standardization of operating practice.
1. Scope F1776 Specification for Eye Protective Devices for Paintball
Sports
1.1 This practice establishes minimum safety requirements
F1979 Specification for Projectiles Used in the Sport of
for the operation of Low Impact Paintball Playing Fields, and
Paintball
provides for certain required materials and procedures.
F2030 Specification for Paintball Cylinder Burst Disk As-
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
semblies
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
F2184 Guide for Installation of Paintball Barrier Netting
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
F2271 Specification for Paintball Marker Barrel Blocking
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Devices
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
F2272 Specification for Paintball Markers
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
F2278 Test Method for Evaluating Paintball Barrier Netting
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
F2553 Specification for Warnings on Refillable CO Cylin-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ders Used In the Sport of Paintball
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
F2653 Specification for Paintball Valve Male Threaded Con-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
nection for Use with Approved Cylinders
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
F2773 Practice for Transfilling Compressed Air or Nitrogen
2. Referenced Documents
and Safe Handling of Small Paintball Cylinders
F2856 Practice for Transfilling and Safe Handling of Small
2.1 ASTM Standards:
CO Cylinders for Use in Paintball
F1750 Specification for Paintball Marker Threaded- 2
Propellant Source Interface
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
3.1.1 bulk cylinder, n—a gas storage vessel used to fill gas
Subcommittee F08.24 on Paintball and Equipment.
propellant vessels on paintball markers as men.
Current edition approved April 1, 2023. Published April 2023. Originally
approved in 2015. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as F3100 – 15 (2019).
3.1.2 discharge mode, n—a mode that controls the number
DOI: 10.1520/F3100-15R23.
of paintballs discharged per trigger cycle.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3.1.3 ear protection, n—devices that cover the ear cavities
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. and prevent direct entry of paintballs into the ear canals.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3100 − 15 (2023)
3.1.4 filling apparatus, n—equipment used to properly fill ously at the registration area. Every player shall be instructed
gas propellant vessels on paintball markers from bulk cylin- to read the safety rules.
ders.
4.2 Field Orientation and Safety Briefing—Prior to their
3.1.5 game area, n—an area in which paintball games are
first game of the day, every player shall be given or shown a
conducted and in which paintball goggles are required to be
formal briefing on risk of injury, game rules, field orientation,
worn.
equipment operation, general paintball safety rules, special
safety rules for reduced impact paintball, and instructions
3.1.6 game organizer, n—adult person responsible for su-
about what to do in case of an emergency.
pervising the paintball game and administering the pre-game
player safety briefing.
4.3 Barrel Blocking Device Regulation—All players shall be
required to have paintball marker barrels blocked with a device
3.1.7 goggles, n—consist of eye and head protection devices
specifically designed for that purpose at all times other than
(EHPD’s) that comply with Specification F1776.
while on the playing field during games, at the chronograph, or
3.1.8 goggles on area, n—areas in which all persons are
at the target range. Barrel blocking devices are the primary
required to wear paintball goggles meeting the requirements of
safety device for paintball markers, and must comply with
Specification F1776, such as and not limited to playing fields,
Specification F2271.
game areas, chronograph areas and target ranges.
4.4 Goggles—All persons shall be required to wear paintball
3.1.9 low impact paintball marker, n—a paintball marker
goggles at all times while they are in areas where they might be
designed so as to be capable of discharging paintballs within
struck by a paintball. The goggles shall comply with Specifi-
the diameter range of 0.40–0.55 caliber at a velocity not
cation F1776.
exceeding 150 fps, and meeting the other requirements of
Specification F2272. 4.5 Chronographing Procedures—All field rental paintball
markers shall be chronographed daily prior to being used at the
3.1.10 low impact paintball, n—supervised paintball games
field. All other paintball markers shall be chronographed at the
using low impact paintball markers and conducted in accor-
field prior to being used on the field. In addition, CO powered
dance with the procedures as defined in this standard practice.
markers should be chronographed again whenever the tempera-
3.1.11 paintball, n—the ammunition used to fire from a
ture on the playing field increases by more than 10 degrees (F).
paintball marker that complies with Specification F1979.
4.6 Required Signs—Signs conveying the following require-
3.1.12 paintball air system, n—the power source normally
ments shall be posted conspicuously:
used by a paintball marker to propel a paintball that meets
4.6.1 “Goggles On” signs shall be posted at the exits of the
Specifications F1750, F2030, F2553, and F2653 where appli-
staging area along routes to the playing fields, and at the
cable.
entrances to any other areas that paintball marker discharge
3.1.13 paintball marker, n—a device
...