ASTM Airsoft Safety Standards

[PMO Gordo]

Some of you may not know the ANSI Z87.1 standards for safety eye wear is not designed for Airsoft safety, but industrial safety: Airsoft Goggle Guide - Airsoft Ohio Forums. Partly due to this, insurance providers and field owners have been pushing the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to publish safety standards for Airsoft. I found several several standards published on ASTM website last year, but I'm curious why they were not discussed on this Airsoft forum.

The published standards are listed below (Sports Standards and Recreation Standards). However, you have to pay about US$ 40 for each document (I can't believe this - public safety information should be freely available!) I wondered who have access to these documents and is willing to share them with everyone.
F2654 - 07     Standard Specification for Low Energy Air Gun (LEAG) Warnings
F2679 - 13     Standard Specification for 6?mm Projectiles Used with Low Energy Air Guns
F2748 - 08     Standard Specification for Low Energy Air Guns (Less Than 1 Joule)
F2940 - 13     Standard Practice for Air Soft Field Operation
F2941 - 13     Standard Practice for Air Soft Player Safety Briefing

Here are some news articles regarding the publication of the Airsoft safety standards:

Eyewear Standard for Airsoft Players Being Developed by ASTM Sports Equipment Commi

ASTM Standard addresses airsoft protective eyewear.

Press release date: April 26, 2013

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — The escalating popularity of airsoft as a recreational activity has led to concerns about proper eye protection for participants. In response to requests from both insurance providers and playing facility operators, ASTM WK27246, Specification for Eye Protective Devices for Airsoft Sports, is currently being developed by ASTM International Committee F08 on Sports Equipment and Facilities.

Airsoft participants use a low energy air gun to expel a nonmetallic, nonliquid filled projectile. According to Mike Lukas, director of global sourcing, Crosman Corp., and an F08 member, many airsoft players currently use a mix of paintball eye protectors, tactical eyewear and safety glasses. The proposed new standard will provide eyewear test procedures that are specifically designed for airsoft.

“Devices tested to ASTM WK27246 will meet specific requirements for optical performance and impact protection based on the needs of the activity and participant,” says Lukas.

Once it has been approved, the standard will be used by laboratories, manufacturers and game field operators to ensure that eye protection devices are safe for use in airsoft activities.

ASTM WK27246 is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee F08.57 on Eye Safety for Sports, but Lukas says the development of WK27246 has involved an ongoing cooperative effort between members of F08.57 and Subcommittee F08.27 on Airsoft. “F08.57 has an excellent track record in assisting other subcommittees in dealing with the eye protection requirements within their individual industries,” says Lukas.

All interested parties are invited to participate in the standards developing activities of F08.27, F08.57 and other F08 subcommittees.

ASTM Sports Equipment Committee Approves Two New Airsoft Standards, ASTM Internatio

ASTM Committee approves 2 low energy air (airsoft) gun standards.

August 20, 2013 - Subcommittee F08.27 developed ASTM F2940, Practice for Airsoft Field Operation, and ASTM F2941, Practice for Airsoft Play Safety Briefing. While F2940 provides best practices for field layout, player equipment requirements, minimum engagement distances, chronograph procedures, and other key elements of field operation, F2941 includes guidelines for pre-activity safety briefing necessary for educating players on proper conduct, safe engagement distances, and other considerations.