Do motorcycle helmets have a use by date?

Yes, motorcycle helmets do have definite expiration dates and could become less effective in the event of an auto accident. Ask yourself these questions to determine whether or not it's time for a replacement.

Does helmet have expiry date?

In general, yes: Helmets have an expiration date. That's because exposure to sunlight, heat, and other elements degrades the foam and other parts of the helmet. Plus, helmets tend to get knocked around with use.

How long can you keep a motorcycle helmet?

The consensus from helmet manufacturers is that the rider should replace their helmets every five years. That may seem like a lot, depending on how often you ride. This rule mostly applies to riders that hit the road every day. Riding for hours on end will only cause your helmet to degrade that much faster.

How long does it take for helmets to expire?

As for helmets that haven't been compromised or damaged, they, too, should be replaced every three to five years. There are a lot of things that degrade over time, like the foam and glue used in the helmet.

Do bike helmets have a shelf life?

A bike helmet does not have an expiration date, but should be replaced every 5 years. In addition, a bike helmet should be replaced after a bike crash or if you spot any cracks or defects. The Snell Memorial Foundation is a group that have been testing and setting safety standards for all types of protective gear.

Outdated, Dangerous and Dead : When to Replace Motorcycle Gear

Do unused motorcycle helmets expire?

Helmets have a limited lifespan because the resin and other materials used in the manufacturing process over time can be effected by your body fluids, hair oils, ultraviolet light and normal wear and tear. It is prudent advice to replace your helmet 5 years after purchase or 7 years after the production date.

Are old motorcycle helmets safe?

Helmet manufacturers recommend that you replace your helmet 3 to 5 years from the 'date of manufacture'. Helmet replacement is also endorsed by the Snell Memorial Foundation which recommends that “motorcycle helmets be replaced after five (5) years of first use, or less if the manufacturer so recommends.”

How do you tell if a motorcycle helmet is expired?

It's important to look at when your helmet was made. All helmets made after 1974 have a production date stamp on them. If your helmet doesn't have a stamp, it's well past its expiration date.

Where is the manufacture date on a helmet?

However, some types of helmets are manufactured which have some numbers written on the stripes or buckles, which is used to indicate that the helmet has been manufactured. The way 03/07 is written, it means that it was created in the month of March 2007.

How do I know if my safety helmet is expired?

The manufactured date is stamped onto the hard hat, usually below the brim. Flip your hard hat over and take a look on the inside. The number in the middle (13) is the year of manufacture, and the arrow points to the month (5).

What do you do with old motorcycle helmets?

Recycle It

Call around to your local recycle centers and see if they'd be able to take such an object. Every part of a helmet should be recyclable. Though you won't see that helmet ever again, you'll at least know it's not collecting dust in your garage and that it's being made into and used for something else.

Where do you find the date on a motorcycle helmet?

The production date is on a sticker inside the helmet under the padding near the ear. The date is shown in the YY/MM/DD format, so for example yours would say 08/XX/XX if it was made in the same year you bought it.

Can you sell second hand motorbike helmets?

Whilst a helmet may look in good condition if it is damaged it may offer no protection in the event of an accident. For this reason we recommend you do not sell second- hand crash helmets, visors and other safety helmets unless you can personally verify their history.

When should you change your motorcycle helmet?

If the average mileage for a biker is somewhere between 6,000 miles and 8,000 miles, then it might be suggested that once a helmet has done between 40,000 and 50,000 miles it's about time to change it. The guys who ride 20k a year will often change their helmets every 2/3 years.

What does the date stamp on a hard hat mean?

The date code indicates when the hat was molded. Date codes are molded into the hat shell and they specify the following: • Day; • Month; and • Year the hat or cap was molded. The large arrow inside the “Month/Year” circle points to the month, and the two digits inside that inner circle indicate the year.

Do motorcycle helmets expire Australia?

So if you ever need to use the manufacturers warranty, replace your helmet every 5 years. Whilst SNELL is a helmet standard that is not currently legal in Australia, it still has a high reputation.

Do carbon fiber hard hats expire?

Generally, the guideline is that a hard hat should be replaced no more than five years after its manufacture date, even if it was never put into service. This is because hard hats are made from plastic, which degrades over time even in ideal conditions.

Why do safety helmets expire?

A helmet may only last for an hour if it sustains an impact, and things like harsh weather conditions can definitely reduce the safe lifespan of your gear. Frequently wearing and/or storing your helmet in direct sunlight, for example, will cause it to show signs of wear and tear more quickly.

What do the different color hard hats mean?

White for supervisors, foremen and engineers. Brown for welders and those working with high heat. Green for safety inspectors and occasionally new workers. Yellow for earth movers and general workers.

Do bump caps expire?

OSHA hard hat replacement requirements must be considered when hats bear cracks, dents, penetration, or even wear from rough care and treatment. An OSHA hard hat expiration date does not exist, but manufacturers may set a specific date for expiration. Most replace their hard hats every 5 years.

What do I do with my old motorcycle helmet Australia?

Helmets are made of a mixture of materials that aren't easily separated, and thus will likely get discarded outright if you throw them in your recycling bin. In other words, you can save time by simply binning it yourself from the start.

What are the Australian standards for motorbike helmets?

All helmets must be marked to show that they comply with the relevant Australian Standard (i.e. AS 1698:1988 or AS/NZS 1698:2006) or UN ECE 22.05. For helmets that comply with UN ECE 22.05, the helmet must bear a label displaying an international approval mark.

When should I replace my helmet?

The government testing body in the US, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), recommends replacing a bicycle helmet every five to 10 years. The Snell Memorial Foundation, which also certifies helmets for safety, states a firm five years.

Is there an expiry date on hard hats?

MSA hard hat shells should be used no longer than 5 years, while suspensions should be replaced after 12 months. Both are the maximum time frame for replacement, calculated from date of first use. The date of manufacture is stamped or molded onto the hard hat shell, usually on the underside of the brim.