Features of Snell's L-98 Standard

L-98 specifies levels of protection greater than those required for bicycle helmets but lower than those called out in the Foundation's motorcycle helmet standard. The L-98 requirements are intended for helmets used in hot climates where heavier, less ventilated helmets may not be acceptable. L-98 helmets may not be appropriate for use with motorcycles, racing karts, snowmobiles and all terrain vehicles. They also may not be appropriate for use in competition, on highways or in jurisdictions where authorities have determined that more protective headgear should be used.

The following table compares L-98 with other helmet standards:

	B-95	L-98	DOT	M-95 / M2000
Impact: Flat Hemisphere Edge	(300 g)  100 J  65 J  -	(300 g)  120 J  80 J  80 J	(400 g)  90 J/90 J  68 J/68 J  -	(300 g)  150 J/110 J  150 J/110 J  150 J
Test Line: (size Med) Front Rear	68 mm  48 mm	83 mm +  23 mm +	78.4 mm  27.6 mm	103 mm  43 mm
Shell Penetration	-	-	3 m	3 m
Chin Bar	-	Full Face	-	Full Face

The table compares requirements for the Foundations bicycle helmet standard, B-95, the new L-98 standard and two motorcycle helmet standards, DOT and the Foundation's M-95. The DOT requirements (FMVSS 218) are mandatory for all motorcycle headgear sold for use on public streets in the US.

B-95 and L-98 specify one impact for each test site but DOT and M-95 require two impacts for some tests. In those cases, the table shows the severities for both impacts.

There are procedural differences between Snell and DOT type testing. In addition to the 400 peak g limit, the DOT impact criteria also include limits on the durations for which the acceleration response to a test impact may exceed the 200 g level and the 150 g level. DOT testing specifies different headforms than Snell and the test impact severities vary with the size of the headforms. The severity figures in the table specify the values for the DOT medium headform.

The test lines mark the lower boundary of the test area on the helmet. Since the procedures for marking the helmets vary, the table shows only the positions of this boundary at the front and back of the head. The figures given are all based on the medium size headform and are shown as distances up from the basic (anatomical Frankfort) plane of the ISO J headform.

The test lines for L-98 and M-95 have been set to require the greatest head coverage possible. The limitations on these lines depend on visual field requirements, neck articulation and on the current state of the helmet makers' art. Until there is an advance in helmet technology it will be impractical to set this line any closer to the helmet edges.

Neither B-95 nor L-98 require shell penetration testing. It is anticipated that the need for ventilation, particularly in hot climates, will effectively dictate large openings in the helmet shell. The size of these openings is limited by the hemispherical anvil impacts. Furthermore, the shells of L-98 helmets must be sufficiently tough to withstand the required edge anvil testing.