General information concerning the 2000 Snell Memorial Foundation Testing
* 15 helmet manufactures are on the SA approved list * 80 different styles of helmets are on the SA approved list * The cost to the helmet manufacturer for the certification test for a SA 2000 (special application) approval is $1,140.00, M 2000 (motorcycle) approval is 940.00
The Snell Memorial standard presents a rational means for differentiating between helmets that meet specified standards for impact (crash) protection and retention system strength and those that do not.
The following is a side-by-side comparison of the Snell Memorial Foundation testing procedures for the SA 2000 (special application) and the M 2000 (motorcycle) certification.
"SA standard was designed for auto racing, M standard was for motorcycling and other motorsports"
#1. SA - This standard establishes performance characteristics particularly suited to the conditions of automotive racing that may include harness and restraint systems, elaborate roll bar cages, and reduced visual field requirements.
M - This standard establishes performance characteristics suitable for motorcycling and for use with other open motorized vehicles in which the driver and passengers may not be enclosed such as boats, motorized carts, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.
#2. SA - This standard addresses the problem of protecting the head from direct impact with surfaces or objects that might be encountered in a racing accident. The standard prescribes direct measures of several factors bearing on a helmet's ability to protect the head as well as its general serviceability as automotive racing headgear.
M - This standard addresses the problem or protecting the head from direct impact with surfaces or objects that might be encountered in a motorcycling accident. The standard prescribes direct measures of several factors bearing on a helmet's ability to protect the head as well as its general serviceability as motorcyclist headgear.
#3. SA - The capacity for impact protection is determined by direct measurement of the shock delivered through the helmet to a headform when the helmeted headform is dropped in a specified manner onto any of three unyielding anvils. A fourth anvil is used to test impact protection for repeated strikes against a roll cage assembly.
M - The capacity for impact protection is determined by direct measurement of the shock delivered through the helmet to a headform when the helmeted headform is dropped in a specified manner onto any of three unyielding anvils.
#4. SA - Since race drivers are frequently unable to escape quickly from accident involved vehicles, their helmets must also provide some measure of protection against fire. Exposed helmet components, whether internal or external must be flame resistant. They must not be combustible and when exposed to high temperatures, must self extinguish when the heat load is removed.
M - No comparable test is performed.
#5. SA - Helmet components are tested separately for flame resistance by exposing them to a direct propane flame of a specified temperature for specified time periods. When the flame is withdrawn, each of these components must self extinguish within a specified time limit. Furthermore, when the helmet shell is tested, the temperature of the padding or lining materials within the helmet that would presumably touch the wearer's head must not exceed 70C.
M - No comparable test is performed.
#6. SA - The chinstrap must also be flame resistant. The chinstrap will be tested similarly to other helmet components. It must not melt and must self extinguish within the allowed time.
M - No comparable test is performed.
#7. SA - This face shield must also withstand a flammability test. As with other components, the face shield must be self-extinguishing within the allotted time. Furthermore, the face shield must not melt down allowing the flame to reach the interior of the helmet.
M - No comparable test is performed.
#8. SA - Finally, this face shield must have a positive "hold down". Since inadvertent displacement of the face shield during racing could have disastrous consequences, the only way to remove or raise the face shield from its normal operating position must involve the deliberate disengagement of some catch mechanism. Friction mechanisms will not satisfy this requirement.
M - No comparable test is performed.
#9. SA - The helmet shall provide peripheral visual clearance as measured using a reference headform appropriate to the size of the helmet. This peripheral vision includes a horizontal clearance of at least 180 degrees, an upward clearance of at least 5 degrees and a downward clearance of at least 20 degrees. However, this downward clearance makes specific allowance for breath deflectors. These clearances are described in terms of planes fixed in the reference headforms.
M - The helmet shall provide peripheral visual clearance as measured using a reference headform appropriate to the size of the helmet. This peripheral includes a horizontal clearance of at least 210 degrees, an upward clearance of at least 7 degrees and a downward clearance of at least 30 degrees. However, this downward clearance makes specific allowance for breath deflectors. These clearances are described in terms of planes fixed in the reference headforms.
Scott Reinhardt (INEX National Tech Director) This information is taken from the Snell Memorial Foundation web site; please refer to this website for any further specifics of helmet testing.