Standardization News

ASTM International’s committee on sports equipment, playing surfaces, and facilities (F08) has launched a new subcommittee focused on creating standards that support commercially installed sports-specific equipment used in gyms and other public venues.

Members say that the goal of the new subcommittee is to develop standards for the performance, construction, installation, and maintenance of floor, wall, and ceiling mounted sports-specific equipment in commercial and public facilities such as schools and sports clubs.

“This effort started about a year ago when many gymnasium equipment manufacturers met to discuss the lack of standards or rules covering these products,’ says Neal Turner, the group’s new chairman. “Gymnasium products such as basketball backstops, wall pads, and volleyball equipment may weigh as much as a few thousand pounds and they hang over people’s heads, therefore standards are a priority.”

 According to Turner, potential focus areas include but are not limited to:

• Overhead and wall-mounted basketball systems
• Overhead volleyball systems
• Gymnasium divider curtains
• Overhead batting cages, and
• Mat hoists

Turner noted the new subcommittee also has interest in developing standards for installing such equipment (a task often performed by local dealers or subcontractors) as well as for periodic routine and preventative services.

ASTM International welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member of ASTM. The next meeting of the committee on sports equipment, playing surfaces, and facilities is Nov. 5-8, 2019, in Houston, Texas, USA.