Italian helmet manufacturer KASK has provided insight into its safety testing procedures, which measure the performance of its cycle helmets against rotational impacts.
‘Performed at the Newton Lab – a certified, independent testing laboratory in Milan, Italy – the ‘KASK Rotational Impact WG11 Test’ draws from the research of industry experts and academics to improve the way helmets are assessed against rotational forces.’
Consumers can look out for the test passed logo when buying their next KASK helmet, a mark which guarantees the product has been tested against different types of impact.
In a release, KASK notes that… ‘Every helmet produced around the world must be tested against a range of industry standards and pass a minimum safety threshold in order to comply with manufacturing and trading regulations.
‘As a leading manufacturer across multiple sporting disciplines, KASK is exceeding those standards by subjecting its helmets to rigorous additional tests. Rotational impacts are a key component of these and enable the brand to deliver helmets which offer the best-possible protection.
‘As there are no standard tests in the cycling industry that take rotational impacts into account, KASK introduced its own test in 2019 to address that need. The procedure highlights how every helmet in its range protects against those forces.’
The KASK Rotational Impact WG11 Test was inspired by the United Nations’ ECE 22.06 motorcycle helmets standard that does include a rotational impact test.
Cycle helmets tested by KASK are fitted to headforms of all sizes and then struck against a 45° anvil with a minimum impact speed of 6 m/s. The helmets are hit in different areas to ensure they protect riders against all types of risk.
Every helmet receives a BrIC (Brain Injury Criteria) value which is determined by their performances against both linear and rotational impacts. BrIC is an algorithm that defines the level of brain injury. To simplify; the lower the BrIC value, the lower the risk of concussion.
KASK adds that the BrIC value should never exceed 0.68; and so far all KASK’s helmets have achieved a value never above 0.39.
Diego Zambon, KASK General Manager, said “Since we introduced our KASK Rotational Impact WG11 Test in 2019 it has revolutionized the way we assess helmet safety.
“As a result, we are able to offer helmets that not only look great and enable riders to maximize their performance, they also deliver the best-possible protection.
“We have learnt a vast amount from our research in this area and our findings will continue to play a pivotal role in how we integrate new materials and technologies into our full range of helmets.”
