Helmet Questions

treebeach

treebeach

Location
MA
Hi All,

Need some help...

A couple of questions were brought to me and stopped and thought hmmmm. Though my helmet knowledge is solid the more research I did from manufacturers, professionals and the like were helful but I thought this forum is designed just for this! So here goes:

Question 1. "What is the lifespan of a climbing helmet"
Considerations:
- Exposure to UV
- Exposure to severe temperature fluctuations
- Exposure to gas/oil/other chemicals/solvents
- Manner in where/how helmet is stored
- Frequency of cleaning
- Inspection of obvious abrasion, sheen, cracks, chips, webbing wear or tear, flex and listen squeaks or sounds may indicate a hairline crack, etc.

With all those points considered my climbing helmet is over 3.5 years old without showing any signs of near retirement. It sees 40 hours of climbing a week (sans weather days).

Petzl says max life of a helmet is 10 years... why?

Question 2. "Are there different sizes of climbing helmets"
- Petzl Vertex Best - one size fits all
- Petzl Ecrin Roc - one size fits all
- Kask Plasma - one size fits all

Thoughts?? Thanks all!
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Without abuse (or premature wear) I'd suggest the life span to be the manufactures recommendations. I imagine they factor in the composite materials used in construction, environmental factors, the intended and average frequency of use to formulate a figure that lands well within the helmets physical expiry date. I believe Rope Armor is correct, most plastic type things are slowly degrading whether in use or not.

In the past whilst one size fits all I've found a great deal of difference of both quality and comfort between brands and models. The internal harnesses, weight, air flow, vision, face shields etc make choice individual and applicable sometimes to the work I do.

Personally I've been using the one helmet for both ground and climbing work but have been looking at the options of a dedicated climbing helmet due to the weight issues current experienced. Looking at the Kask or Protos (I think).
 
I was wondering the same thing about lifespan, a coworker order a new helmet a couple of weeks age, and when we looked on the tag it said 2009. Does that mean a new helmet will only technically good for one more year?
 
One thing I have learned in the past is that the helmets with foam interiors are extremely suspect to the timeline issue. The foam, being what absorbs an impact, becomes hard and brittle over time and is no longer able to crush on impact. The Kask website states a maximum of 5 years use. I am surprised that Petzl has ten years.

Interesting not on the Kask that I just read; they list it as being able to withstand an impact from above and the side but they only classify the helmet as a type 1 meaning it is only rated for impact from above. Hmmmmm makes you think a little.
 
I was taught that OSHA gives you 2 years from the date of in service that the helmet must be replaced. If you did not mark inside what that date is thye go by the manufacturers date molded into the helmet. Yes, all my helmets have a Sharpie in service date inside them. I've had brand new helmets out of the box that were almost 2 years old by the date code.
 
Hmm. I'd say 2.5-5 years is reasonable. After that time, there's enough UV, sunscreen and sweat (and stink?) acting on the helmet that it makes sense to turn it over after day to day use. Or if there is a significant design advance. Or the obvious stuff, like it fell out of the cab and Joe closed the truck door on it...

Having said that, I just got a replacement visor part for my 20 year old motorcycle helmet. It wasn't until the dude at the shop exclaimed "Vintage!" that I realized I'd been riding that long....or that I might need a new helmet. In the end, though, he shrugged and I shrugged because wearing vintage is still better than nothing!
 
I take an underhand grip on the side of the lid and curl it in like I'm protecting a basketball, then knock on it with my other fist. Several good raps and you know she's solid.

Most helmets turn ugly and out of style before they become unsafe. That's why I own six hundred dollars worth of plastic hats.
 
Numerous forestry safety and logging safety seminars I have attended say 2 years max. The exposure to UV is the main culprit, but stickers on your helmet can apparently weaken/make the plastic brittle as well.

The 3 guys I had tell me this had over 100 years of combined forestry experience...so I suppose they know a thing or 2 about the issue.
 
It's your skull, how well do you want it protected? The exposure to UV, oil and gas, scrapes and scuffs and the salts from all that sweat not to mention the hair products. Check with OSHA in your area. Personally 5 yrs would be my max though like Druid said, they get ugly before they're worn out.
 
Excerp from this web site; http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/resources/hardhat.php

"Hard Hat Life Span

OSHA does not specify the service life of a hard hat, and there is no standard expiration time frame for hard hats. Hard hat life span may vary depending on the conditions of each work sites. As a general guideline, most hard hat manufacturers recommend replacing hard hats every five years regardless of outside appearance. If you work under extreme conditions such as exposure to high temperatures, chemicals or sunlight, hard hats should be replaced after two years of use. In addition, some manufactures even recommend replacing the suspension in your hard hat every 12 months. It's important to review each work site to ensure that degradation of employee's hard hats is not being accelerated due to work conditions."
 
The plastic in helmets has to meet specs that eliminate degrade from hair products. Sweat etc.

Peter gerstenberger researched the glue used on stickers. It is a casein based glue like Elmer's white glue. Not corrosive.

All that stickers do is make it hard to closel inspect the helmet for cracks.

UV degrade is the biggest culprit.
 
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The plastic in helmets has to meet specs that eliminate degrade from hair products. Sweat etc.

Peter gerstenberger researched the glue used on stickers. It is a casein based glue like Elmer's white glue. Not corrosive.

All that stickers do is make it hard to closel inspect the helmet for cracks.UV degrade is the biggest culprit.

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With stickers they also wont pass for electrical standards.

Of course many contracts Ive worked on require them....then you go through their training ....then they give you a sticker that needs to be on the hard hat while on their job..

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My current all round helmet is fiberglass, I imagine it would be more so resistant to UV degradation and solvents. Its a tad heavy thou.

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I would not count on it, it really depends on the resin they use and the gel coat on the outside. Either way the resin will be suspect to a similar timeline as it will still become hard and brittle regardless of UV exposure.
 
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