Since opening our doors in 1940, we have always strived to make life easier for our customers. We started with strut and fittings, and over the years, we’ve added anchors, metal roof attachment clamps, and more recently, we’ve begun offering safety products. Out of our entire safety offering, one of the most important products is our hard hat line. Selecting the proper hard hat can seem a little complex, but if you follow some basic pointers found in this post, you’ll stay safe on the job.
One of the most frequently asked questions we field is the difference between Type I and Type II hard hats. Here are the differences…
Both Type I and Type II helmets offer the following performance requirements:
- Flammability- No flame can be visible for five seconds after removing the test flame from the helmet surface.
- Force Transmission- a single helmet must not transmit force to the test head from exceeding 1,000 pounds of force. Conditioned helmets (hot and cold) shall be averaged, and the average cannot exceed 850 pounds of force to the test head form.
- Apex penetration- the penetrator cannot make contact with the top of the head form.
- Electrical classification (class G, Class E or Class C)- helmets must meet appropriate performance requirements:
- Class G to withstand 2,200 volts for one minute. Maximum leakage shall not exceed three milliamperes.
- Class E to withstand 20,000 volts for three minutes after impact. Maximum leakage shall not exceed nine milliamperes.
- Class C helmets are not tested for electrical insulation.
Along with all of the above requirements, Type II helmets offer these additional requirements:
- Impact energy attenuation- helmet is dropped into a spherical object at various angles around the helmet, above a designated test line.
- Off-center penetration- a penetrator is dropped vertically, and the helmet is rotated at different angles above a designated test line. The penetrator cannot contact the headform.
- Chinstrap retention (optional) - If a type II helmet is provided with a chin strap, the chin strap must be tested for retention, must remain attached to the helmet and must not stretch beyond one inch in length.
A good rule of thumb when choosing a hard hat is to consider the type of potential impact hazards. If hazard potential is for top impact, a Type I helmet would be the best fit. However, if hazards are present that can impact the front, back, sides and top of the helmet, use of a Type II helmet should be considered.
We offer the following Hard Hats, in a variety of colors, available for online purchase:
- V-Gard Protective Cap
- Skullgard Protective Cap
- V-Gard Protective Hat
- Super V Protective Cap (Type II)
If you have questions about hard hats, including pricing and availability, visit the safety products section of our website, or contact Unistrut Service Company for further assistance.