ASTM International, a globally recognized leader in developing and delivering international voluntary consensus standards, has introduced a new safety specification for beach umbrellas and anchor devices.
This new safety standard, designated F3681, aims to mitigate the hazards associated with beach umbrellas when dislodged by winds. Developed by ASTM’s consumer products committee (F15), with contributions from Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) engineers, and specifically managed by subcommittee F15.79 on market umbrellas, the standard addresses the urgent need for enhanced safety measures to prevent injuries and improve the reliability of these popular beach accessories.
This standard specifies that all 7.5-foot diameter beach umbrellas must adhere to strict anchoring protocols that have been rigorously tested for effectiveness. These tests include ensuring that the umbrellas remain stable and secure in wind speeds up to 30 miles per hour—a common condition on many beaches.
The introduction of these precise specifications seeks to eliminate the guesswork involved in securing umbrellas, thus significantly reducing the risk of injuries related to wind-dislodged umbrellas.
One of the most critical components of the new safety protocol is the specific resistance requirement. It mandates that each 7.5-foot diameter beach umbrella, equipped with a bottom pole, must be anchored with at least 75 pounds of resistance.
This specification is pivotal as it quantifies the minimum force necessary to keep the umbrella from becoming dislodged under normal weather conditions encountered at the beach. This requirement was established after extensive testing and analysis by safety engineers, who identified 75 pounds of resistance as the optimal threshold to prevent the umbrella from turning into a hazardous airborne object.
By setting this standard, ASTM aims to significantly decrease the likelihood of beach umbrellas causing harm due to insufficient anchoring.
Video via Good Morning America (www.GoodMorningAmerica.com)
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