ASTM_F_1772_-_12.pdf

Designation:F177212Standard Specification forHarnesses for Rescue,Safety,and Sport Activities1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1772;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This specification covers harnesses for human use intechnical rope rescue and climbing,mountaineering,caving,canyoneering,and other rope-based sport activities.It estab-lishes requirements for the testing,performance,and markingof harnesses and for the instructions that are supplied withthem.1.2 This specification may contain test methods that do notentirely simulate real-life situations.The test methods aredesigned to give reproducible results in a laboratory and,thereby,a means for product comparison.1.3 Three types of harnesses are covered by this specifica-tion:full body harnesses,sit harnesses,and chest harnesses.1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.5 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:2E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing MachinesF1773 Terminology Relating to Climbing,Mountaineering,Search and Rescue Equipment and Practices3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsTerms defined in Terminology F1773 shallbe applicable to this specification.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 adjusting device,nany device that allows adjust-ment to be made to the harness to suit the requirements of thewearer.3.2.2 authorityhavingjurisdiction(AHJ),nanorganization,office,or individual responsible for enforcing therequirements of a code or standard,or for approvingequipment,materials,installation,or a procedure.3.2.3 belay/rappel loop,na loop intended for attaching abelaying or rappelling device to the harness.3.2.4 belt,nthe part of the harness that is around the waist.3.2.5 buckle,na connector used for attaching webbingsegments together.3.2.6 load-bearing parts,nparts of the harness that trans-mit load during testing in accordance with Section 12.3.2.7 nonload-bearing parts,nother parts of the harness.3.2.8 rope attachment points,nparts of the harness in-tended for the attachment of a rope or lanyard.3.2.9 performance rating for a harness,na pass/fail des-ignation indicating if the harness has passed all required testspresented in this specification.4.Summary of Specification4.1 Representative samples of harnesses shall be tested forminimum strength.5.Significance and Use5.1 The strength of harnesses is one of the properties used toevaluate their suitability for a task.5.2 Marking and instructions aid in the selection and use ofharnesses.5.3 Due to the diverse requirements of various rescueactivities and environments,any of the included harness typesmay be suitable for rescue,including those marketed princi-pally for climbing,and those with frontal and/or dorsalattachment points.It is the responsibility of the AHJ or user todetermine if a specific harness design is appropriate for aparticular task.The exception is the sole use of a chest harnesswhich must be used with a sit harness to be effective.6.Harness Labeling and Information6.1 The following information shall be affixed durably tothe harness:1This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Searchand Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.01 on Equipment,Testing,and Maintenance.Current edition approved May 1,2012.Published May 2012.Originallyapproved in 1997.Last previous edition approved in 2005 as F1772 99(2005).DOI:10.1520/F1772-12.2For 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.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 6.1.1 The location(s)and method of rope or lanyardattachments,6.1.2 The location(s)and method of rappel and belay deviceattachments,6.1.3 The method of properly using buckles and adjustingdevices,6.1.4 Manufacturers or distributors name and logo,6.1.5 The date of manufacture,and6.1.6 The size of the harness.6.2 The following information shall accompany the productthrough the point of sale:6.2.1 The weight of the harness,6.2.2 Performance rating,if applicable,6.2.3 Care and maintenance of the product,6.2.4 Life of ProductInformation about attributes thatindicate the product is worn out,6.2.5 If the product is primarily marketed