Head Forms for Use in Testing EN 960 Protective Helmets

The EN 960 standard, a European standard, describes the dimensional and structural details of head shapes to be used in the testing of protective helmets.

For the purposes of this standard,

• Head shape refers to the three-dimensional approach of part or all of the human head, excluding facial features and auricle. Three general forms are defined in this standard:
  • The full head shape extends from the crown down to the bottom of the chin and includes part of the neck.
  • The three-quarters head shape extends from the top down on the sides and back to below the level of the basic plane.
  • The half-head shape runs from the top down to the level of the base plane on the sides and back.
• The size definition expression refers to the circumference of a particular head shape, expressed in mm as shown in the table.
• Frame refers to the length of its circumference, measured at the level of the reference plane, for a given head shape.
• The expression AA plane refers to the horizontal transverse plane, for a given head shape, at a vertical distance of 12,7 mm above and parallel to the reference plane. This plane is considered to correspond to the level of the lower edge of the headband of a helmet.
• Reference plane refers to the horizontal plane for a given headform, when perpendicular, at the vertical distance measured from the center of the crown down the central vertical axis.
• The expression central vertical axis refers to the vertical axis extending along the intersection of the vertical longitudinal plane and the vertical transverse plane.
• The expression crown refers to the area on the upper, outer surface of a head shape centered on the central vertical axis.
• The expression vertical longitudinal plane refers to the vertical plane of symmetry for a given head shape, perpendicular to the reference plane and midway between the left and right ends of the head shape. This corresponds to the mid-sagittal plane of the human head (the sagittal plane is the plane that divides the body in the middle, left and right).

Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides head form testing services for use in the testing of protective helmets, within the scope of the EN 960 standard, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.