Below are the results of our tests for Metal and Plastic safety frames performed at ICS Labratories.
The changes incorporated in the new standards for prescription safety glasses affect the manufacture and testing of both safety frames and safety lenses.
The changes in test requirements for safety frames ensure a higher level of quality. The new standard requires more emphasis on lens retention, which translates to improved eye protection. It is important that frames used meet the standard and are marked Z87-2.
All manufacturers of prescription safety frames are required to test their product using 2mm lenses in order to mark the product Z87-2. The test is a critical aspect of this standard because a frame that successfully retains a 3mm lens may not be capable of retaining a 2mm lens.
All frames must be manufactured and tested to demonstrate they meet the new standard. It is important that laboratories make sure the frames they use meet the testing requirements. Titmus ISO Quality Management Procedures call for regularly scheduled re-testing of products throughout their life to guarantee their continuous compliance to the frame test requirements.
There are now two levels of lens performance: Basic impact and High impact.
Basic impact prescription lenses: The test methods for basic impact lenses are unchanged from the 1989 standards and the lenses have a minimum thickness of 3mm. Basic impact lenses will be tested in the non-mounted state with 100% of glass tested and plastic statistically sampled.
High impact prescription lenses: The test methods for high impact prescription leses are new. Unlike basic impact, all prescription lenses considered for use for high impact will be type tested in the non-mounted state for high velocity impact resistance.
Note: Basic impact plano (non-prescription) product is tested in the non-mounted state. High impact plano product will be tested in the mounted state.
More details on the new vs. old standards follow:
Frame test requirements old ANSI Z87.1-1989
In the high mass impact test a 17.6 oz. poineted projectile dropped from a height of 51.2 in. should not cause any parts or fragments of the protector to be ejected that could contact the eye of the head form. In the high velocity impact test a 1/4 in. steel ball traveling at 150 ft/s (102mph) should have no contact with the eye of the head form as a result of the impact and no parts or fragments of the protector may be ejected that could contact the eye of the head form.
Frame test requirements new ANSI Z87.1-2003
The spectacle frame test is designed to test the ability of the frame to retain a lens upon impact and to evaluate the strength of the temples and/or sideshields. Retained is defined as no more than 25% seperation of the lens periphery from the frame. In the high mass impact test a 17.6 oz. pointed projectile dropped from a height of 127cm. shall cause no piece to detach from the inner surface of any spectacle componant and the lens shall be retained in the frame. In the high velocity impact test 1/4 in. steel ball traveling at 150ft/s shall allow no contact with the eye of the head form, no piece shall be detached from the inner surface of any spectacle component and the lens shall be retained in the frame.
Lens retention old ANSI Z87.1-1989
Safety eyeglasses available with removable and non-removable lenses must meet high mass impact and high velocity impact tests. The test lenses for frames designed for prescription spectacles shall be 3mm thick. Plano lenses shall be 3mm thick except lenses that can pass the high velocity impact test can be 2mm thick.
Lens retention new ANSI Z87.1-2003
Same test requirements as before but the test lens shall be 2mm +.2mm -.0mm thick.
Frame marking old ANSI Z87.1 198
All major spectacle components shall bear a manufacturer’s trademark and shall be marked Z87 to indicate compliance with the standard. In addition, fronts shall be marked with the “A” dimension (eye size) and the “DBL” (distance between lenses). Temples shall be marked with their overall length.
Frame marking new ANSI Z87.1-2003
Spectacle frames intended for prescription lenses shall be marked with the manufacturer’s mark or symbol and Z87-2. In addition, fronts shall be marked with the “A” dimension (eye size) and “DBL” (distance between lenses). Temples shall be marked with their overall length.
Sideshields old ANSI Z87.1-1989
Lateral coverage is checked with a point of rotation at the corneal vertex. The sideshield shall be impacted 10mm above and 10mm below the plane of the eyes of the head form at the 90 degree rotated angle.
Sideshields new ANSI Z87.1-2003
Lateral protection shall be assessed using a rotation point 10mm behind the corneal vertex. The sideshield shall be impacted 10mm above and 10mm below the plane of the eyes of the head form at the 90 degree rotated angle.
Warning label old ANSI Z87.1-1989
None required
Warning label new ANSI Z87.1-2003
If the finished protector only meets the Basic Impact Standard, it is the responsibility of the lab to attach a warning label. This warning is designed to inform the wearer of the impact limitations of the lens and must state that it is to be removed only by the wearer.
Flammability old ANSI Z87.1-1989
The spectacles shall not continue to burn after exposure to a 50mm flame from a 10mm bunsen burner for one second.
Flammability new ANSI Z87.1-2003
The apparatus and procedure as specified in ASTM test method D635-98 shall be used to determine the flammability of plastic components. Alternatively, certification of the material used by the souce of supply is acceptable. The material shall not burn at a rate greater than 76mm per minute.
Corrosion old ANSI Z87.1-1989
Metal parts are boiled in a 10% aqueous solution of sodium chloride for 15 min. then immersed in the same solution at room temperature, removed and allowed to dry for 24hrs. the metal parts are then rinsed in lukewarm water and allowed to dry. The function of the spectacles shall not be impaired by the corrosion.
Corrosion new ANSI Z87.1-2003
No change in the requirements for metal parts. Lenses and electrical parts are excluded from these reqirements.
Cleanability old ANSI Z87.1-1989
After cleaning, the function of the spectacles shall not be impaired.
Clenability new ANSI Z87.1-2003
All markings shall stay permanently affixed and readable.
Safety lens minimum thickness old ANSI Z87.1-1989
Prescription safety lenses must be 3mm thick except those lenses having a plus power of 3.00D or greater shall have a minimum thickness of 2.5mm. Removable plano lenses shall be 3mm thick except those lenses that withstand 45.7 mps impact of 1/4 in. steel ball. Such lenses shall not be less than 2mm thick. Non-removable plano lenses shall be 3mm thick except plastic which can be 2mm thick.
Safety lens minimum thickness new ANSI Z87.1-2003
Prescription safety lenses, called non-plano in the new standard, have two catagories, Basic impact and High impact. Basic impact prescription lenses shall be 3mm thick except those lenses having a plus power of 3.00D or greater shall have a minimum thickness of 2.5mm. High impact prescription lenses shall not be less than 2mm thick at their thinnest point. Basic impact plano lenses shall be the same as basic impact prescription lenses. High impact plano lenses shall not be less than 2mm thick when used in a frame marked “Z87.2.” No minimum thickness required if mass production plano protector.
Safety lens marking old ANSI Z87.1-1989
Manufacturer’s logo. Applicable shade designation for tinted lenses. Photochromic lenses mark with a “V” after manufacturer’s logo. Special purpose mark “S”. All marking must be permanent.
Safety lens marking new ANSI Z87.1-2003
Manufacturer’s logo – complies with Basic impact test requirements. “+” complies with High impact test requirements. Applicables shade designation for tinted lenses. “V” for photochromic lenses. “S” for special purpose lense. All marking must be permanent.
Safety lens impact requirements old ANSI Z87.1-1989
Prescription lenses shall be capable of resisting impact of a 25.4mm (1 in.) steel ball dropped from a height of 127cm (50 in.). The lens shall not fracture. Non-removable plano lenses are tested as complete devices with high mass impact and high velocity impact tests and using an Alderson 50th percentile male head form.
Safety lens impact requiremenst new ANSI Z87.1-2003
Basic impact prescription lenses shall be capable of resisting impact from a 25.4mm (1 in.) steel ball dropped from a height of 127cm (50 in.). The lens shall not fracture. Glass lenses shall be tested 100% of the time Plastic lenses shall be statistically sample tested. High impact prescription lenses shall be tested to the high velocity impact test. The lenses shall be mounted on a test holder and shall be capable of resisting impact from a 6.35mm (0.25 in.) diameter steel ball traveling at a velocity of 45.7m/s (150 ft./s). Three lenses shall be tested. Failure consists of any posterior displacement of the lens completely through the test holder; any fracture of the lens; any detachment of a portion of the lens from its inner surface; or full thickness penetration of a lens. If all test lenses pass, then any prescription lens of the same or greater thickness at its thinnest point, which is made by the same manufacturer, from the same material with the same coatings may bear the “+” mark. Basic impact plano lenses shall be capable of resisting impact from a 25.4mm steel ball dropped from a height a 127cm. The lens shall not fracture. Plastic lenses shall be capable of resisting penetration from a weighted projectile weighing 1.56 oz. dropped from a height of 50 in. The lens shall not fracture or be pierced through. This test should be in the non-mounted state. High impact plano lenses shall be tested with the high mass, high velocity and penetration as a complete device.
Warning label old ANSI Z87.1-1989
None required.
Warning label new ANSI Z87.1-2003
If the finished pair of prescription safety glasses only meets the Basic impact standard, it shall have an attached warning label. This warning is designed to inform the wearer of the impact limitations of the lenses and must state that it is to be removed only by the wearer.