ASTM_F_939_-_12.pdf

Designation:F93912Standard Practice forSelection of Release Torque Values for Alpine Ski Bindings1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F939;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of originaladoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscriptepsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONAdhering to these guidelines may help to reduce the risk of injuries resulting from improper releasetorque selection.However,skiing involves inherent risks.Injury can result from simply falling down,impact with another object,or from many other actions.Many injuries are unrelated to bindingrelease/retention characteristics.Furthermore,even a properly adjusted binding cannot release underall injury-producing loads or retain at all times when retention is desired.Therefore,it is to be clearlyunderstood that compliance with these guidelines in no way guarantees that injury can be prevented.1.Scope1.1 This practice provides procedures for the selection ofrelease torque values for Alpine ski/boot/bindings systems.These procedures may be used by ski binding manufacturers intheir instructions for installation and use and by ski shops forthe adjustment of already mounted ski bindings.1.2 This practice is applicable to releasable Alpine ski/boot/binding systems.1.3 Release torque values selected using this practice maynot be appropriate for circumstances in which:1.3.1 The skier carries an object that significantly increasesthe skiers effective body weight,1.3.2 The skier grasps or in some manner controls an objectsuch as a sled,or1.3.3 The skier encounters exceptional snow or terrainconditions not commonly found on developed ski slopes.1.4 This practice may be inappropriate for non-mechanicalbindings or bindings used with boots that reach more than halfway up the lower leg.1.5 Release torque values outside the recommendations ofthis practice may increase the risk of injury to the skier.However,skiers who are informed of this potential risk mayrequest such settings and have them provided,subject to anyguidelines and limitations specified by the binding manufac-turer.1.6 These values refer to recommended release torque forinitial adjustment of a ski binding and subsequent readjustmentof the binding during routine maintenance or following asuspected malfunction.However,these values are not intendedto apply to the condition of the equipment at any time after itis put into use.1.6.1 For information concerning applicable tolerances tobe used for the adjustment and inspection of releasable Alpineski bindings in retail operations consult Practice F1063;forrental applications consult Practice F1064.1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2F504 Test Method for Measuring the Quasi-Static ReleaseMoments of Alpine Ski BindingsF1061 Specification for Ski Binding Test DevicesF1063 Practice for Functional Inspections and Adjustmentsof Alpine Ski/Binding/Boot SystemsF1064 Practice for Sampling and Inspection of Completeand Incomplete Alpine Ski/Binding/Boot Systems inRental Applications2.2 ISO Standard:38061 Method for the Selection of Release Torque Values3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F27 on SnowSkiing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F27.10 on Binding TestProcedures.Current edition approved June 1,2012.Published June 2012.Originallyapproved in 1985.Last previous edition approved in 2006 as F939 06.DOI:10.1520/F0939-12.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Available 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 States1 3.1.1 release/retention settingsrelease torque of the ski/boot/binding system in twist(Mz)and forward lean(My)asdefined in Test Method F504.3.1.2 skier typeclassification selected by the skier for thetype of skiing to be undertaken.3.1.2.1 Idesignation that provides lower than averagerelease/retention settings;corresponds to an increased risk ofinadvertent binding release in order to gain releasability in afall;also applies to entry-level skiers uncertain of theirclassification.3.1.2.2 IIdesignation that provides average release/retention settings appropriate for most recreational skiing;applies to skiers not classified as in Type I or III.3.1.2.3 IIIdesignation that provides hig