September 2008

Hiro, an admin over at Red Alliance, has put up a post relating to the use of the new Bioval BBBMAX BBs and suggestions that they are capable of causing more damage than other available BB types, pictures have been posted of the tests they have done. Here’s a quote below and a link to the complete post.

Best advice would seem to be for concerned individuals to test any BBs that they may have worries about before use.

Want to warn against using the Bioval BBBMAX (Arn’s Forums, Begadi Shop) in games where you want to save on equipment damages.

Prolouge: At the international event Berget6 this summer a few car-windows where shot to pieces, as discussed in this thread here (no need to register, and in english) apparently the incidents have led to a few changes in rules, but no more than that.

I didn´t attend Berget6, and didn´t know about the incident until a few days ago.  (Read More…)

Update 1350 GMT (08 Sept 2008):

We have received  numerous emails from the Airsoft community requesting clarification on our recent statements regarding the BBBMAX. We are alarmed by the way some persons play the sport of airsoft at incredibly high velocities and perhaps our first statement was somewhat of a "knee-jerk" reaction to this. We hope the following will help clear up the debate regarding the BBBMAX. MILPOL – The Military & Law Enforcement (MILPOL) requirements of the BBBMAX are: (1) The bb must be Biodegradable with a zero carbon foot print; (2) the bb must be transparent; (3) high density (4) ballistically stable even if fired in windy conditions; (5) and safely fired at other trainees/instructors. In our many years of testing we found that 0.27g was the ideal weight, producing the best results within the limits of those requirements. It is important to remember that because of current Health and Safety Laws (in the USA, all of NATO and in the entire Commonwealth) regarding training; all manufactures must supply bbs that will not cause harm to people or property. These laws, rules and regulations are very stringent and any harm or damage will result in penalties. Needless to say, we have and will continue to safely use the BBBMAX in MILPOL Training environments without incident.

CIVILIAN – The MILPOL specifications (biodegradable, zero carbon footprint, transparent, high density, ballistic stability even in windy conditions, safely used against other trainees/instructors) make the BBBMAX perfectly suitable for civilian use. The BBBMAX will outperform any plastic bb on the market, giving the civilian airsoft players a gaming advantage formerly unheard of. The civilian version of the BBBMAX uses a slightly different resin to make it more affordable but this has not changed its overall performance. The BBBMAX is the most advanced and accurate bb in the world.

The attributes that make the BBBMAX the most accurate and ballistically stable bb may possibly result in broken glass if the BBBMAX is misused. We do not recommend shooting glass with any airsoft bb. We have sold millions of BBBMAX to civilians and it is currently being SAFELY used in civilian airsoft fields, games and Sunday skermishes in the USA, Canada, Europe, Central/South America, Philippines, Japan, Korea, Israel, Russia, Hungary, Austria and in Japan.

The BBBMAX was designed for safe use both in MILPOL training and for
CIVILIAN use in airsoft games, Sunday skermishes and organized game fields.

This product is intended for safe airsoft play only. We recommend full face protection REGARDLESS of the ammunition manufacturer you are using. Failure to do so may result in bodily injury, or death. ALL BRANDS of Airsoft bb’s are dangerous high velocity projectiles that are capable of causing damage to your eyes and teeth. Simply because it is not written on other brand packages doesn’t mean this is not so.

If you have any questions we are available at info@bioval.net
www.biovalbbb.eu

Update 1914 GMT (05 Sept 2008): Bioval Swiss have sent over some words of their own regarding the 3rd party suggestions linked to. Here is their response verbatim:

———————————
Bioval BBBMAX News Post on Arnies
———————————
In the interest of player safety and the safeguard of property I hope you will post our response.

We do not recommend shooting 0.27g bbs at 560fps or 3 footpounds (170m/s or 4 joules) against car windows since high velocity projectiles will tend to shatter the target into small bits and pieces.

The author of the post states that they fired the 0.27g BBBMAX at 170m/s
(560 fps) this is equal to approx. 4 joules of energy. Most EU countries have a 1 joule limit and in most game fields there are very strict rules regarding AEG velocities.

Evidently, the persons involved in this incident have not read the WARNINGS and MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET that should have been provided to them.

Safety has always been a Bioval priority. Please find attached the WARNING and MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET regarding our products.

Please READ THEM and pass them on.

The vital points here are:
(1) The EU (EN Standard) and USA (ASTM ) standards and laws upon which they are based prohibit the sale and marketing of bbs that shatter upon impact.

The test parameters are very strict but enforcement is very difficult and as
you can imagine very few producers respect this norm. The Bioval BBBMAX is over and above the minimum test parameters needed to achieve certification.

(2) The BBBMAX was specifically designed for use by Military and Law Enforcement (MILPOL) training centres in the US, Australia and Europe. The specifications are far superior to normal bbs and so are the ballistic
properties. Breaking windshields and windows was one of the many requirements. In this respect the BBBMAX has performed to specifications.

(3) WE DO NOT RECOMMEND modifying your AEG to fire at over 1 joule. Shooting the 0.27g BBBMAX at 170m/s is extremely dangerous and WILL cause damage on your target.

(4) Please use certified full face protection. We suggest you evaluate the
same full face protection used by Military and Law Enforcement agencies
rated to stop shotgun blasts and other high velocity projectiles and shrapnel.

Thanks for your support in our effort to improve the standards and quality
of the bb in the sport of Airsoft. It is thanks to this support that we will continue to innovate and bring to you high performance products.

Stay cool and play safe!

Absolute Best,
Bioval Technologies Switzerland
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Checked by AVG.
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Ed’s note: (I don’t often scribe my own thoughts here so I’ll be brief) I received a few emails that made unhelpful comments. These included that (1) I’d just dug up this link and posted it to be mean. (2) It’s also been suggested that referring to or mentioning someone somewhere doing something that is considered stupid or ill-advised is a “Bad Thing”. (3) It’s also been suggested that I had personally ignored Bioval’s release news regarding their BBBDIMPLEX BBs (that were actually posted previously in the news here in August).

In brief response, as you can see from the unedited commentary text (1) there’s no accusation merely best advise suggesting that individuals with concerns should test anything they could have worries about. The content linked to off site was mailed in direct to the site from a reader. (2) Whilst always advising that individuals promote themselves in a safe and legal manner it is sometimes beneficial to highlight what can happen should basic safety advice be not taken on board. (3) Obviously that material was posted.

The BIOVAL safety warning follows: