ASTM F2879-22

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it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2879 − 21 F2879 − 22
Standard Specification for
Eye Protective Devices for Airsoft Sports
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2879; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification applies to eye protective devices (EPDs) designed for use by participants in the sport of airsoft with 6-mm
airsoft projectiles. These EPDs are designed to minimize or significantly reduce injury to the eye and adnexa as a result of impact
and penetration of airsoft projectiles.
1.2 When airsoft guns are used for target practice with a paper or gel target and a backstop sufficient to prevent ricochet, shooters
may wear eye protection (shooting glasses) appropriate for use with firearms, ball bullet (BB) guns or air guns that meet ANSI
Z87.1. The balance of this specification applies to EPDs designed for use by participants in tactical sports using airsoft guns.
1.3 EPDs meeting the requirements of this specification offer protection to the eyes and adnexa and not necessarily to any other
parts of the head.
1.4 This specification does not limit the wearing of eyeglasses or contact lenses when used in conjunction with the EPD based
on the information provided by the manufacturer in 9.2.21.
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.6 The following information is provided for the laboratory conducting the test for the protection of their personnel: This
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1003 Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics
F1776 Specification for Eye Protective Devices for Paintball Sports
F2679 Specification for 6 mm Projectiles Used with Airsoft Guns
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F08.57 on Eye Safety for Sports.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2021May 1, 2022. Published December 2021May 2022. Originally approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 20192021 as
F2879 – 19.F2879 – 21. DOI: 10.1520/F2879-21.10.1520/F2879-22.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2879 − 22
F2748 Specification for Airsoft Guns
2.2 ANSI Standards:
Z80.3 Requirements for Nonprescription Sunglasses and Fashion Eyewear
Z87.1 Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protectors
2.3 CSA Standard:
CSA Z262.6-02 Specifications for Facially Featured Headforms
CSA Z262.6-14 Specifications for Facially Featured Head Forms
2.4 EN Standard:
EN 168 Personal Eye Protection—Non-Optical Test Method—Section 17 Headforms
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 adnexa, n—adjunct parts of the eye, including the orbit, orbital contents, eyelids, and the lacrimal apparatus.
3.1.2 airsoft field, n—area where participants actively target and shoot each other with airsoft projectiles using airsoft guns.
3.1.3 airsoft gun, n—device specifically designed to expel airsoft projectiles as the result of the release of energy by compressed
air, compressed carbon dioxide (CO ), mechanical springs, battery, or a combination thereof as defined in Specification F2748.
3.1.4 airsoft projectile, n—6 mm projectiles used with an airsoft gun which is defined in Specification F2679.
3.1.5 astigmatism, n—condition in a lens that creates two axially separated line foci of each object point, the lines being mutually
perpendicular; in other words, the lens has two different refractive powers in meridians that are 90° apart.
3.1.6 base-in, adj—relating to the type of prism imbalance that tends to cause parallel rays of light passing through a EPD, spaced
apart by the interpupillary distance, to converge.
3.1.7 base-out, adj—relating to the type of prism imbalance that tends to cause parallel rays of light passing through an EPD,
spaced apart by the interpupillary distance, to diverge.
3.1.8 binocular, adj—relating to the field of view that is shared by both eyes simultaneously.
3.1.9 central viewing zone, n—that part of a lens that has its center in line with the wearer’s line of sight when looking straight
ahead.
3.1.9.1 Discussion—
The zone is circular in shape. For the purpose of this specification, it shall be considered to be 38 mm in diameter. The center of
the central viewing zone shall be the point of intersection of the line of sight with the lens as mounted on the headform, as specified
by the manufacturer.
3.1.10 corneal apex, n—the most anterior point of the cornea when the eye is in the primary position.
3.1.11 cleanable, adv—ability of an EPD to be made readily free of dirt or grime without being damaged during an appropriate
cleaning process, such as the use of soap and water.
3.1.12 definition, optical, n—characteristic of a lens that allows separate distinct points in close proximity to be discerned when
looking through the lens.
3.1.13 dislodgement, n—relating to the movement or shifting during impact testing as described in section 8 that would result in
a gap between the lens and frame that did not exist prior to the testing of more than 1.0 mm or the breaking free of any EPD
components within the interior chamber of the EPD.
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Available from Canadian Standards Association (CSA), 5060 Spectrum Way, Mississauga, ON L4W 5N6, Canada, http://www.csa.ca.
Available from European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000, Brussels, Belgium, http://www.cen.eu.
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3.1.14 eye, n—relating to the eye of the headform or the eye of a person wearing an EPD or that part of an EPD through which
a wearer’s eye would normally look.
3.1.15 eye of the headform, n—all structures contained within the orbital rim of the headform.
3.1.16 eye protective device (EPD), n—device that provides protection to the wearer’s eyes against specific hazards encountered
in sports.
3.1.17 fracture, n—any breach, rupture, or visible crack in the lens.separation, as a result of impact, of any part of a protector
resulting either in two completely separate pieces or the separation of a protector or part of a protector, intended as a continuous
single piece.
3.1.17.1 Discussion—
As applied to a lens of a protector, any breach, rupture, or visible crack through the entire thickness in the lens.
3.1.18 haze, n—fraction of the total transmitted light from a normally incident beam that is not transmitted in a focused condition
but scattered by inclusions or surface defects.
3.1.18.1 Discussion—
Excessive haze will reduce contrast and visibility.
3.1.19 headform, n—as utilized within this standard for the as-worn assessment of EPDs, key dimensions of which are as provided
in CSA Z262.6-02, EN 168, or CSA Z262.6-14 except with an adjusted durometer (hardness) of 50 6 5.5 Shore A.
3.1.20 lens, n—transparent part or parts of an EPD through which the wearer normally sees.
3.1.20.1 Discussion—
The most common configurations for lenses are single pane and thermal. Thermal lenses are constructed with multiple panes
providing a thermal barrier to reduce the effects of fogging. Some lenses may be treated with chemical solutions to reduce fogging.
3.1.21 lens retention component(s), n—components, separate from the lens, that are designed to retain the lens in the frame or body
of the EPD.
3.1.22 luminous transmittance, n—function of the spectral transmittance of the lens weighted by the corresponding ordinates of
the photopic luminous efficiency distribution of the CIE (1931) standard colorimetric observer and by the spectral intensity of
standard Illumination C (see ANSI Z80.3).
3.1.23 orbital area, n—area contained in a circle r = 20 mm centered on the pupil of the headform.
3.1.24 power imbalance, n—condition that exists when the refractive power created by the right lens of the EPD is different from
that of the left lens.
3.1.25 prism, n—angular deviation of a ray of light as it passes through a lens resulting from the angle at which the ray strikes
each surface of the lens and the index of refraction of the material from which it is made.
3.1.26 prism imbalance, n—
3.1.26.1 horizontal imbalance, n—difference in prismatic deviation of incident parallel light beams on the two eyes of an EPD
in the horizontal meridian (see base-in and base-out).
3.1.26.2 vertical imbalance, n—difference in prismatic deviation between parallel light beams incident on the two eyes of an
EPD in the vertical meridian.
3.1.27 refractive power, n—focusing effect of a lens expressed in diopters.
3.1.28 spherical power, n—average of the maximum meridional astigmatic power and the minimum meridional astigmatic power
of a lens.
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3.1.29 tactical sport, n—within the context of this standard an activity in which participants actively target and shoot at each other
with airsoft projectiles using an airsoft gun.
4. Performance Requirements
4.1 Optical Requirements:
4.1.1 Field of View—When tested in accordance with 7.1, the EPD, without any accessories such as a sun visor installed, shall have
a field of view equal to or exceeding the following:
4.1.1.1 Temporal field—50°.
4.1.1.2 Nasal field—30°.
4.1.1.3 Superior field—30°.
4.1.1.4 Inferior field—30°.
4.1.2 Refractive Tolerances—When tested in accordance with 7.6, the spherical power shall not be less than –0.12 diopters and
shall not exceed +0.12 diopters.
4.1.3 Astigmatism—When tested in accordance with 7.6, the astigmatism shall not exceed 0.25 diopters.
4.1.4 Power Imbalance—When tested in accordance with 7.6, the power imbalance in corresponding meridians between the two
eyes for straight ahead seeing shall not exceed 0.18 diopters.
4.1.5 Prism—When tested in accordance with 7.4 or 7.8, the primary viewing position of either eye of a shield shall not exceed
0.5 prism diopters.
4.1.6 Prism Imbalance—When tested in accordance with 7.4 or 7.8, the prism imbalance shall meet the following criteria:
4.1.6.1 Vertical imbalance—It shall not exceed +0.25 diopters.
4.1.6.2 Horizontal imbalances—Negative values (base-in) shall not be less than –0.25 prism diopters, and positive values
(base-out) shall not be more than +1.0 prism diopters.
4.1.7 Luminous Transmittance—When tested in accordance with 7.3, the luminous transmittance shall not be less than 60 % for
clear lenses and not less than 17 % for tinted lenses unless labeled very dark in which case the minimum transmittance shall be
no less than 8 %.
4.1.8 Haze—When tested in accordance with 7.5, the haze of the EPD shall not exceed 3 %.
4.1.9 Optical Quality—Within the central viewing zone, striae, warpage, surface ripples, or other defects that are apparent under
the optical inspection test conditions of 7.2 shall be considered a failure. An exception is when small specks or inclusions, which
are not seen when the lens is held close to the eye in the as-worn position, shall not be a cause of rejection.
4.1.10 Physical Lens Defects—Within the central viewing zone, pits, scratches, grayness, bubbles, cracks, watermarks, or other
defects that are apparent under the visible inspection test conditions of 7.7 shall be considered a failure. An exception is small
specks or inclusions, which are not seen when the lens is held close to the eye in the as-worn position, shall not be cause of
rejection.
4.2 Mechanical Requirements:
4.2.1 When tested in accordance with 8.2.3 (high-velocity impact test):
4.2.1.1 Any visible damage of the lens or frame that results in any component of the EPD to become dislodged inside the interior
chamber of the EPD or the entry of an airsoft projectile as defined in 3.1.4 constitutes a failure,
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4.2.1.2 No contact by components of the EPD with the orbital area of the headform shall be permitted,
4.2.1.3 Any dislodging of the lens from the frame constitutes a failure,
4.2.1.4 Any dislodging of a lens retention component from the lens constitutes a failure, and
4.2.1.5 Any opening in the frame or lens of EPD that would permit contact of a 4.5 mm diameter probe 6 0.1 mm to the orbital
area of the headform constitutes a failure. No significant force is to be applied to force the probe through any opening.
4.2.2 When tested in accordance with 8.2.4 (lens retention test):
4.2.2.1 Any visible fracture of the lens or frame constitutes a failure,
4.2.2.2 No contact by components of the EPD or airsoft projectile as defined in 3.1.4 within the orbital area of the headform shall
be permitted,
4.2.2.3 Any dislodging of the lens from the frame constitutes a failure,
4.2.2.4 Any dislodging of a lens retention component from the lens constitutes a failure, and
4.2.2.5 Any opening in the frame or lens of EPD that would permit direct contact of a 4.5 mm diameter probe 6 0.1 mm to the
orbital area of the headform constitutes a failure. No significant force is to be applied to force the probe through any opening.
4.3 Ventilation Openings Requirements—Any ventilation opening in the EPD that would permit direct contact of a 4.5 mm
diameter probe 6 0.1 mm to the orbital area of the headform constitutes a failure. No significant force is to be applied to force
the probe through any opening. Any evaluation must be conducted with the EPD installed in accordance with the manufactures
instruction manual on the headform as specified in section 6.4.
5. General Requirements
5.1 Materials of Construction:
5.1.1 The manufacturer is responsible that the materials selected meet the following criteria and may confirm compliance by
providing the testing laboratory with a declaration letter regarding the suitability of the materials for inclusion with the final test
report:
5.1.2 Materials exposed to sunlight shall not undergo significant loss of physical properties.
5.1.3 Materials coming into contact with the wearer’s face shall not be of a type known to cause skin irritation.
5.1.4 Materials coming into contact with the wearer’s face shall not undergo significant loss of strength, flexibility, or other
physical change as a result of perspiration, oil, or grease from the wearer’s skin and hair.
5.2 Openings:
5.2.1 All openings in the EPD, such as those for ventilation, shall not allow the passage of a 4.5 mm diameter probe 6 0.1 mm.
In cases where a foam or air permeable barrier is used to cover ventilation openings of the EPD, the underlying structure (under
the foam or air permeable barrier) shall not allow the passage of a 4.5 mm diameter probe 6 0.1 mm. This requires the openings
in the structure under the foam to have no opening which will allow the passage of the probe, with or without the foam in place.
5.2.2 All opening for ventilation on the EPD shall be inspected by the method described in 4.3.
6. Sample Preparation
6.1 Eye Protective Devices:
6.1.1 Only new and complete EPDs as offered for sale shall be tested.
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6.1.2 A minimum of nine EPDs will be required for the tests.
6.1.3 The EPD and the airsoft projectiles shall be conditioned for a minimum of 4 h at the specified temperature before each test.
6.2 Test Temperatures:
6.2.1 Cold Test, –12.2 6 2°C.
6.2.2 Ambient Temperature, 23 6 2°C.
6.2.3 Hot Test, 37.8 6 2°C.
6.3 Airsoft Projectiles—Airsoft projectiles used in the tests contained within this specification shall be in conformity with
Specification F2679 with a stated weight of 0.20 and 0.25 g. A manufacturer’s declaration of compliance with the standard will
be considered acceptable verification.
6.4 Headform—The manufacturer shall normally specify to the testing facility the type and size of headform to be used for testing
within this standard. This selection will be based upon the design and size of the EPD. In the case where the manufacturer does
not specify a specific headform or size the testing lab may select the headform based on the best fit as would normally be worn
by the user and secured in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
TEST METHODS
7. Optical Test Methods
7.1 Field of View (Angle of Vision):
7.1.1 Purpose—This test method is intended to determine the relative unobstructed angle visually available to the user. With the
EPD mounted on the standard headform, the corneal appex of the cornea shall be visible to an observer when sighted from the
required field angles in accordance with 4.1.1. Any sighting method may be used. Paragraphs 7.1.2 – 7.1.4 give one method.
7.1.2 Apparatus—The concept is to mount a headform as specified in 6.4, size specified by the manufacturer or chosen by the test
laboratory, in a gimbal. Any gimbal that is sufficiently large and sturdy and properly inscribed with horizontal and vertical
protractor markings is acceptable. Figs. 1-3 show front and side vertical schematic views of a wooden gimbal that can be
constructed with simple tools. Item A is the base and support for horizontal rotation. A protractor should be marked on the base
with its center coincident with the axis of rotation. Base A should protrude forward to allow for the protractor markings. These
indicate the position of B. Item B comprises the main carriage of the gimbal. Item C comprises the vertically rotating member.
FIG. 1 Schematic of Gimbal for Supporting Standard Head
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FIG. 2 Side View of Gimbal
FIG. 3 Top View Showing Base for Horizontal Rotation
Sections CR and CL are the right and left vertical supports. Fig. 2 shows the horizontal view. A window in the left of the vertical
B support makes the protractor markings on section CL visible for accurate setting. Section CL can be pie-shaped, providing that
a 60° angle can be read. The markings shall be made every 5° and marked every ten. A set screw should be threaded into the B
section or a 1/4-20 nut can be inlayed if section B is wooden. Ensure that 1/4-20 thumb screws are available readily for use as
the set screw. The location of the standard head should be planned to obtain a good balance for vertical rotations. The horizontal
rotation axis shall be in the plane of the corneas. The axis themselves can be 12-mm dowels or 6-mm metal rods. Fig. 3 shows
the location of the pivots for their respective rotations. Fig. 4 shows an example of a test setup. The total path from gimbal to the
eye, camera, or light source shall be at least 7.31 m. Using a mirror facilitates adjusting the gimbal while observing the position
of the corneas in the EPD. A low-power telescope or simply a monocular eye-locating ring or washer can be substituted for the
video camera. The corneas shall be painted white or covered with white or reflecting tape in the form of an 8-mm disk. A high-level
ambient light is desirable. Visual optics may be replaced with photo detectors in the corneas having separate readout means for
the two eyes. A strong light source would replace the video camera, in which case, a low-level of ambient light is desirable. A
collimating lens would increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the photodetectors. The setup as indicated in the drawing introduces
FIG. 4 Bench-Top Field-of-View Setup
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a horizontal angle of error of –0.2° and a vertical angle of error of approximately –0.6° at 60°. The location of the vertical angle
of tip is centered in the headform to help balance the gimbal. These errors can be accounted for in the decision process. A longer
path between the input and output devices will decrease the errors proportionately.
7.1.3 Test Procedure—Mount the EPD to be tested on the headform in the intended wearing position. Set the gimbal in the
straight-ahead position and verify the visibility of the metered response of the two eyes. The gimbal then is rotated to determine
the horizontal and vertical extreme angles of view in all four directions along which the appropriate corneas can be seen
monocularly.
7.1.4 Report—Record and report the maximum angles of view in all four directions.
7.2 Optical Quality—Localized power errors or aberrations that are detected by the visual inspection procedure of 7.2.1 are
permissible if no measurable or gross foci meter or telescope target distortion or blur is found when the localized area is examined
with an instrument as indicated in 7.2.2.
7.2.1 Inspection Procedure—One method of optical inspection is to view a high-contrast grid pattern of dark and white lines
through the lens, scanning it area by area and moving it about. The grid pattern shall be at least 45 by 45 cm and constructed of
high-contrast black lines on a white background (the white separations being equal to the black lines, both being approximately
6 mm wide). The target shall be at least 1.8 to 2.5 m from the observer, and the lens shall be held at least 45 to 60 cm from the
eye. Any ripples in the lens detected by this test method shall be further examined in accordance with 7.2.2.
7.2.2 The referee method of detecting optical defects and local aberrations is to scan the central viewing zone, especially areas
of suspicion arising form the visual test of 7.2.1. The lens of EPD shall be scanned with a precision foci meter or an 8 to 10×
telescope using the targets and arrangements described in 7.6.2 – 7.6.3.2. The aperture shall be 5 to 7 mm for this examination.
Areas outside the central viewing zone or within 6 mm of the edge need not be tested. When the central viewing area is scanned,
there shall be no sudden jump, doubling, or blurring of the image greater than 0.08-diopters change in power. Gradual variations
in the central viewing zone shall be within the power imbalance tolerances. An optical foci meter with electroni
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