EN 17435:2021

Surfaces for sports areas - Test method for the determination of Head Injury Criterion (HIC) and Critical Fall Height (CFH)

Publication date:   Feb 17, 2022

Scope

This document specifies test methods for measuring the impact attenuation of sports surfaces. Three different methods are specified. In Procedure A, a series of tests are undertaken from differing drop heights and the HIC values are plotted, and the Critical Fall Height determined. In Procedure B, a single test is undertaken from differing drop heights and the HIC values are plotted, and the Critical Fall Height determined. In Procedure C a series of tests are made at a fixed drop height and the maximum value of HIC is calculated.
This test method is primarily intended for use on both natural and synthetic turf sport surfaces. It may be carried out in a laboratory on test specimens or in situ on installed sports surfaces. This test method may not be suitable for sports surfaces covered by EN 14904.