ASTM_F_1956_-_13.pdf

Designation:F195613Standard Specification forRescue Carabiners1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1956;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 six mechanical tests,onecorrosion resistance test,and the minimum performance re-quirements for these tests.This specification applies to cara-biners designed specifically for use by rescue personnel duringboth training exercises and actual rescue operations.Thisspecification does not apply to recreational use carabiners.1.2 Two different types of carabiners are defined in thisspecification,a heavy-duty rescue carabiner and a light-dutyrescue carabiner.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.1.4 Tests contained herein are destructive in nature.Cara-biners subjected to any of these tests shall not be used in anyway after testing except in evaluation the results of suchtesting.1.5 This specification does not imply approval of anymethod of use of rescue carabiners.In addition,the testsdescribed are laboratory tests and do not duplicate fieldconditions.Furthermore,the test load values contained hereinare not to be interpreted as the forces which a rescue carabinermay be subjected to,or may be expected to sustain,in actualfield use.1.6 This standard may involve hazardous materials,operations,and equipment.This standard does not purport toaddress all of the safety concerns,if any,associated with itsuse.It is the responsibility of the user of this standard toestablish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2B117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray(Fog)ApparatusE4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 carabinera load-bearing,connective device with aself-closing gate.3.1.2 heavy-duty rescue carabinera carabiner that meetsthe specifications for a heavy-duty rescue carabiner as definedin Section 9.3.1.3 light-duty rescue carabinera carabiner that meetsthe specifications for a light-duty rescue carabiner as defined inSection 9.3.1.4 locking carabinera carabiner with a locking mecha-nism which reduces the possibility of a gate being openedinadvertently.A locking mechanism requires at least twodifferent consecutive manual actions to open the gate(seeAppendix X2).3.1.5 non-locking carabinerany carabiner that does nothave a locking mechanism that reduces the possibility of a gatebeing opened inadvertently.3.1.6 rescue carabinera carabiner intended for life sup-port in rescue systems.It may be classified as heavy-type orlight duty.3.1.7 ultimate strengththe maximum force sustained by acarabiner during an ultimate force test,prior to failure.3.1.7.1 failurethe point at which some part of the cara-biner physically breaks or distorts to an extent that the testmembers are released.4.Requirements4.1 Product information shall include the following items:4.1.1 Manufacturers or Distributors Name or LogoAclear indication as to who is responsible for the primarymanufacture or distribution,or both,of the product.4.1.2 Major Axis Gate Closed Ultimate StrengthA clearindication as to the major axis gate closed strength by eithersymbol or pictorial representation.4.1.3 Minor Axis Gate Closed Ultimate StrengthA clearindication as to the minor axis gate closed ultimate strength byeither symbol or pictorial representation.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 Dec.15,2013.Published February 2014.Originallyapproved in 1999.Last previous edition approved in 2005 as F1956-99(2005).DOI:10.1520/F1956-13.2For 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 4.1.4 Major Axis Gate Open Ultimate StrengthA clearindication as to the major axis gate open ultimate strength byeither symbol or pictorial representation.4.1.5 Lot NumberA manufacturers or distributors lotnumber.4.1.6 Either symbol or pictorial representation to read themanufacturers or distributors instructions.4.2 Lettering,symbols,and pictorial representations shall bedurably affixed to the carabiner.4.3 Lettering,symbols,and pictorial representations shall bea minimum of 2 mm(564in.)in height.5.Significance and Use5.1 Gate Function Load TestThis test verifies that the gatecan be opened(with the gate locking mechan