HANS to be mandatory from 2016

[andy97]

teletubby said:

In 20 plus years I have seen three cars catch fire after accidents and four people tragically lose their lives to basal skull fractures (none were wearing HANS) so by my (albeit smallish sample) the greater risk is from an injury that FHR are designed to reduce/eliminate.

In the same time frame how many people have suffered burns and how many have suffered difficulties through whiplash?

It's not just death that Hans are designed to prevent.

[BertBert]

Now that I have read some Hans info, my belt locating fittings are far too far apart. They give about 7" belt clearance rather than the max of 3. So some winter welding to get done!
Bert

[spyderman8]

andy97 said:

You don't need a new seat specifically for Hans devices; it's a marketing scam. Hans can be used with any normal race seat, ditto belts.

CSCC were specifically told by one of the Hans maufacturers about 2 years ago that any standard race seat is acceptable as long as the belt installation is in accordance with the guidelines.

I talked to Corbeau/Luke about this too and they said the same. With this on the horizon, no one should be buying a helmet now without HANS posts pre-fitted. Everyone to Autosport - thar be bargains!

[simes43]

BertBert said:

Now that I have read some Hans info, my belt locating fittings are far too far apart. They give about 7" belt clearance rather than the max of 3. So some winter welding to get done!
Bert

This is the tricky bit and so often overlooked.

[steeviegeebies]

HANS posts from DT's: £37.50.

[Trev450]

steeviegeebies said:

HANS posts from DT's: £37.50.

I thought I read somewhere that they had to be fitted by the helmet manufacturer either at the time of production, or if post production, then by an 'authorised' organisation.

[steeviegeebies]

How would MSA know who fitted them?

[djroadboy]

steeviegeebies said:

How would MSA know who fitted them?

The helmet has a different certification if it came with HANS posts factory fitted. Its a total minefield and I doubt even the scruts will have a clue but personally I wouldn't take the chance.

• pats GP5 with factory fitted posts.

Dan

[Trev450]

djroadboy said:

steeviegeebies said:

How would MSA know who fitted them?

The helmet has a different certification if it came with HANS posts factory fitted. Its a total minefield and I doubt even the scruts will have a clue but personally I wouldn't take the chance.

• pats GP5 with factory fitted posts.

Dan

That seems to make sense.

If you look at the specimen helmet standards stickers on p.174 in the Blue Book, there is one specifically for helmets that are compatible with frontal head restraint systems.

[NJH]

Correct installation of belts will be as it is now a minefield. The Shroth guidance http://english.schroth.com/download/EA_8-2__2014-0... is very specific and I have noted before wandering around paddocks how many cars can be a very long way from those guidelines, maybe now with HANS becoming mandatory its time for the MSA and scruts to be much more proactive in this whole area.

[steeviegeebies]

Is there a separate code for HANS compatible belts as well? I thought you need thinner straps on your belts to fit a Hans properly.

[andy97]

steeviegeebies said:

Is there a separate code for HANS compatible belts as well? I thought you need thinner straps on your belts to fit a Hans properly.

No, Steve. That's just part of the marketing hype. You can use the standard 3inch straps with a Hans device perfectly safely. This was confirmed to CSCC about 2 years ago by one of the Hans manufacturers when we bought a job lot tof Hans to sell to our members.

It has also been confined by a motorsports safety kit trader on another forum who has had conversations on this subject with both Cotbeau and Luke.

I have only ever used standard 3 inch belts with a HANS device on a succession of single seaters and tin tops over many years, without a problem, either practically or with Scrutineering.

What is true is that if you have fallen for the marketing hype and bought the 2 inch belts you cannot use them without a HANS device.

[indigorallye]

andy97 said:

What is true is that if you have fallen for the marketing hype and bought the 2 inch belts you cannot use them without a HANS device.

I wouldn't call it marketing hype. I have used HANS with both 3" and latterly 2" harnesses.
The 2" ones sit on the device an awful lot better. I wouldn't sell 3" to buy 2", but when the 3" expire I would then make the change.
This is more relevant for series that you are involved in Andy, where driver changes occur.

[andy97]

The "marketing hype" phrase isn't mine, it comes from the manufacturer CSCC were dealing with and is backed up by a quote from a Hans and belts trader on another forum who describes the whole 2 inch belt thing as being "let's be charitable, marketing led" . That's his words, not mine.

[staceyboy]

I use 3" with mine and it's fine. 2 would fit better but plenty of date on the belts so will leave it for now.

[splitpin]

staceyboy said:

I use 3" with mine and it's fine. 2 would fit better but plenty of date on the belts so will leave it for now.

I would change 'fine' to 'OK but not great' and change 'better' to 'much much better'; Hans specific belts for sure next time they are bought.

Thicko that I am, I still can't locate this change in any MSA publication, Page 14 or otherwise .............. could someone be a bit more specific please?

[indigorallye]

My point is, I've used both. 2" is more suited.
2" is even more suited when doing driver changes as the harness sits on the device quicker and easier.

FWIW, I wont race without HANS.

[steeviegeebies]

My belts expire next year chaps Sounds like I might as well go for 2" belts to mach my HANS then. New there was a reason to go to Autosport in Jan

[staceyboy]

Trev450 said:

I thought I read somewhere that they had to be fitted by the helmet manufacturer either at the time of production, or if post production, then by an 'authorised' organisation.

Pretty sure as long as it's got the captive nuts fitted to the helmet, you can fit the posts after.

[spyderman8]

I bought new Luke belts this year in the knowledge I'd be using my new HANS - but I still bought 3" belts because there was a chance someone might drive the car who didn't use a HANS.