ASTM_F_1979_-_10_2014.pdf

Designation:F197910(Reapproved 2014)An American National StandardStandard Specification forPaintballs Used in the Sport of Paintball1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1979;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.INTRODUCTIONThis specification sets forth a set of guidelines and testing procedures for the manufacturing ofcommon calibers of paintball.The goal is to provide paintball manufacturers with a specification thatpromotes safety in the sport of paintball.1.Scope1.1 This specification establishes testing procedures andcritical characteristics of common calibers of paintball whichhelp define whether a paintball is suitable for use in the sportof paintball.Furthermore,the specification establishes mini-mum warning and package labeling to help ensure that thepaintballs are used in a safe manner and that the risk of injuryis reduced.1.2 This specification does not cover non-recreationalpaintballs,for example,those used by law enforcement,scientific,military,or theatrical entities.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.The values given in parentheses are for informationonly.1.4 This specification does not purport to address all of thesafety issues associated with the sport of paintball.It is theresponsibility of the user of this specification to establishappropriate safety and health practices and to comply with allapplicable laws and regulations.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2F2272 Specification for Paintball Markers3.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 caliber,nthe term used to refer to the size of apaintball projectile.Related to the measurement of the diam-eter of the paintball.3.1.2 cubic centimeter,ncommonly used unit of volumeextending the derived SI-unit cubic meter and corresponding tothe volume of a cube measuring 1 1 1 cm.3.1.2.1 DiscussionThe mass of one cubic centimeter ofwater is approximately equal to 1 g.3.1.3 fill material,nliquid inside of a paintball.3.1.4 paintball,nspherical ball,with a diameter andweight as defined in Table 1,comprised of a shell and a fill,anddesigned to be expelled from a paintball marker.3.1.5 paintball marker,ndevice specifically designed todischarge paintballs which conforms to Specification F2272.3.1.6 shellrigid to semirigid material(generally of gela-tin)that encapsulates the fill of a paintball.4.General Requirements4.1 pH of Fill MaterialThe pH of the fill material used inthe paintball shall measure between 4.0 and 8.0 as measuredusing a 10%solution of the fill in distilled water.Measure-ments shall be made using a properly calibrated pH meter.SeeFig.1 for the pH scale and pH levels for some common items.4.2 Paintball Fill Compatibility With PolycarbonateWhen tested in accordance with Section 5,no more than one ofthe three polycarbonate tensile bars exposed to the fill materialshall develop a visible crack that is greater than 6.5 mm(0.256in.)in length.4.3 Maximum WeightThe paintballs shall not weigh morethan as defined in Table 1 based on the caliber of the paintball.4.4 Fill Color LimitationsThe paintballs shall not containfill material with a color mimicking that of human blood.4.5 Diameter of PaintballThe diameter of the paintball asmeasured both polar and at the seam shall measure within the1This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on SportsEquipment,Playing Surfaces,and Facilities and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee F08.24 on Paintball and Equipment.Current edition approved May 1,2014.Published September 2014.Originallyapproved in 1999.Last previous edition approved in 2010 as F1979 10.DOI:10.1520/F1979-10R14.2For 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 minimum and maximum range as defined in Table 1 based onthe caliber of the paintball.4.6 Impact BreakageThe impact breakage of the paintballshall be tested in accordance with Section 6.All ten of thepaintballs that impact the target shall break upon impact.4.7 Environmental SafetyPaintballs shall not contain en-vironmentally hazardous or toxic substances as defined inCERCLA3Regulations 40CFR302.4;SARA Toxic ChemicalList4Section 313;Clean Air Act5,Section 112B;and RCRARegulations640FRR261.24 through 40CFR261.33.TEST METHODS5.Paintball Compatibility with Polycarbonate5.1 ScopeThis test method is intended to determine thecompatibility of the paintball fill with polycarbonate,theplastic material currently universally used for protective eye-