British standards - Random essay question

[Luke M]

just doing one of my Uni essays about british standard and im analysing the British standard which covers Helmets for use on bikes and skateboards.

Ive got a copy of the document and you got the usual stuff on like testing and that and then theres this.

4.6.4 Colour
No part of the retention system shall be coloured green.

Neither myself or my Dad can think of any logical reason to why the Strap cant be coloured Green. I could understand if it had to be coloured yellow or something but why Green specifically? any ideas? im puzzled!

 

[Focus Owner]

colour blind people maybee

also might be soem sort of filing system

 

[Luke M]

colour blind people maybee

also might be soem sort of filing system

Cant see why.

would be understandable if they said any colour other than black but why just green? thats whats puzzling me.

 

[Focus Owner]

can i know what a retention system is?

green is not all that visable might take your mind off other things i dunno

 

[Luke M]

can i know what a retention system is?

green is not all that visable might take your mind off other things i dunno

retention system is a posh way of saying chin strap.

 

[Focus Owner]

ah simple cause it would make you stand out like a freak

also why would you want green

 

[Luke M]

Thats more to do with fashions.

I dont see why it would be written into a British standards document just so people didnt feel like a freek. its sooo puzzling!

 

[Focus Owner]

in case he was standing next to a traffic light!
want me to ask my drawing tutor who is pretty homier with the BS book?

 

[Luke M]

in case he was standing next to a traffic light!
want me to ask my drawing tutor who is pretty homier with the BS book?

up to you, im not after a definative answer just peoples suggestions. really puzzled both me and my dad.

 

[sledge]

My guess is the colour indicates the strength and/or design of the retention system. There could be another standard, or proposed standard somewhere in the world for helmets with straps or fastenings designed specificaly to give under less strain than is laid down in the standard you are working with, possibly some sport or activity releated headgear, a climbing helmet perhaps, or even a kids play helmet, anything where there is a risk of accidental strangulation by the strap if the wearer gets accidently hung-up on something by the helmet ((oohh missus))......these helmets will have a weaker retention system by design that will give under body weight to prevent choking or strangulation by the strap and it may well be a requirement under the relevent standard that they are manufactured to that the straps are coloured green to identify the fact they are weaker.

........In short it could be a measure intended to prevent confusion between 2 or more helmets that may look similar but are made to different standards and are intended for slightly different applications..... ie cycling /canoeing/skiing.........But this is all just pure speculation on my behalf.

If an answer to this is a requirement of the essay read through as many worldwide standards as you can find relating to protective headgear for sporting and industrial use and see if you can find something that says the retention system MUST be coloured green and see what the differences are.

 

[jug]

green suggests it is ok to remove it, but you should never remove it if a biker has come off and is injured/unconscious.

 

[Andy Monty]

green suggests it is ok to remove it, but you should never remove it if a biker has come off and is injured/unconscious.

:yeahthat:

Green is a Internationally recognized Safe Condition colour..


Why are you looking into the BSI spec of bike helmets?? The BSI is/has been Phased out and replaced by the CE marking??

British Standards Institution (BSI), British Standard Specification for Pedal Cyclists' Helmets BS 6863:1987. ("BSI") (N.B.- Does not reflect changes made by PAS002, which we do not have!) We believe this standard was superseded by the CEN standard below.

CEN European Standard Helmets for Pedal Cyclists and for Users of Skateboards and Roller Skates, EN1078, February, 1997. The standard states that the following countries are bound by EC rules to implement it in 1997: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom ("Europe")

CEN European Standard Impact Protection Helmets for Young Children. Draft for formal vote CEN/TC 158/WG 4 N YY (supersedes prEN 1080) April, 1995. Understood to have been adopted unchanged. ("Europe-Child ")

http://www.helmets.org/stdcomp.htm

http://www.smf.org/articles/mcomp2.html

 

[Luke M]

its BS EN 1078 : 1997

Im looking at it as part of my Uni course in engineering. Currently doing about Standards and using the Helmet standard as an example for the way Standards work etc.

I was discussing this with a friend today. He thought possibly because green is the colour most colour blind people see as different colour. but i wasnt convinced.

As for the known representation of safety, i would understand if it said light green, but why all shades of green? Dark green isnt really recognised as safety.

 

[Andy Monty]

If i'd have known about this last week at this time i would have been able to help (we had a BSI inspector at work and he must have known someone who would have know) Wont be seeing him for 6 months though now so a bit late...:bang:

http://www.standardsdirect.org/standards/standards5/StandardsCatalogue24_view_8539.html


I suppose it all boils down to the safe condition colour as a harmonized standard, people who are colour blind usually see Green as White so is not a great drama anyway and you cant see the buckle yourself when closing it.,
Then again my Full face bicycle helmet has a motorbike style buckle fastner

Look how all seatbelts are black buckle with a red release button bet if you looked up the standards for that it would say so much any reason for it..... Probably not

 

[sledge]

Europe: Separate optional helmet spec for child helmets with breakaway buckle designed to prevent playground strangulations.

Europe-Child: Separate optional helmet spec for child helmets with breakaway buckle designed to prevent playground strangulations.

No green permitted because green is mandated by child standard.


There is the answer.....looks like a green strap indicates the helmet is made to Euro-Child spec and incorporates features intended to prevent accidental strangulation.

 

[Andy Monty]

Looks like Sledge has the answer

Dont know if you know about the CTC but they have a technical helpline for members on all cycling related issues there number is 0870 873 0060 if thats any help..


looking a bit more into it after sledges post the green strap/ buckle


might be worth contacting this firm
http://www.etto.no/


after reading this..

"Etto is a Scandinavian manufacturer with 18 helmet models on their Web site. Some are interesting designs, but unfortunately they are never seen in the US. The Web site does not discuss standards or pricing. All Etto models have at least some reflective material on the back. Their most innovative feature--a slow release buckle for youth helmets to prevent "hanging" on playground equipment--was still under development when we checked with them at the end of December, 2005."


http://www.helmets.org/helmet06.htm#etto

 

[jug]

colour blind usually see Green as White

no usually they see green and red as the same colour, a colour similar to brown.

 

[arseofbox]

You could argue that the retention system is a different colour if the strap is a covering for the part Id expect.