BRITISH STANDARD AUTOMOBILE SERIES BS AU 258:

1995

Specification for

Elasticated straps
BS AU 258:1995

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted to Technical

Committee AUE/9, Automobile details and accessories, upon which the
following bodies were represented:

Automobile Association

Consumer Policy Committee of BSI

Department of Trade and Industry (Consumer Safety Unit, CA Division)

Department of Transport

Garage Equipment Association

Institute of Trading Standards Administration

Petrol Pump Manufacturers’ Association

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited

The following bodies were also represented in the drafting of the standard,
through subcommittees and panels:

BSI Testing Services

ICE (Ergonomics)

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Engineering
Sector Board, was published
under the authority of the
Standards Board and comes
into effect on Amendments issued since publication
1 5 June 1 995

Amd. No. Date Comments

© BSI 06- 1 999

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference AUE/9
Draft for comment 94/71 1 641 DC

ISBN 0 580 24244 7

 BS AU 258:1995

Contents

Page

Committees responsible Inside front cover

Foreword ii

1 Scope 1

2 Construction 1

3 Product marking 1

4 Instructions for use 1

Annex A (normative) Method of test 2

© BSI 06- 1 999 i

BS AU 2 5 8: 1 995

Fore word

This British Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee AUE/9. It

establishes a level of performance for elasticated straps with end attachments
and attempts to minimize the risk of inj ury when used.

It is however acknowledged that these elasticated straps are not designed for use
by children and should be clearly labelled to this effect.

The strength requirement proposed has been deduced by evaluating published

anthropometric data and arriving at a compromise between the maximum pull
strength and repeated pull strengths.

It is accepted that elasticated straps are only suited for retaining light loads
which have little or no wind resistance and not for any safety critical use.

A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.

C omp liance with a British S tand ard d oe s no t of itse lf confe r immunity

from le gal ob ligatio ns.

S ummary of p age s

This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 and 2 and a back cover.

This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.

© BSI 06- 1 999

ii

1 S cop e
This British Standard specifies requirements for the
performance of elasticated straps and their
attachments (together referred to in this standard
as strap assemblies) throughout a range of
temperatures, together with instructions for use
and warning markings.
The products this standard covers are single straps,
generally made from braided rubber cord with wire
hooks (sometimes known as bungee cords) , or multi
straps and end attachments (sometimes known as
spiders) but may vary in form and material used.
They may also be supplied as part of another
system, such as luggage carriers or shopping
trollies.
The standard does not apply to straps or assemblies
if the overall length is less than 200 mm
unextended.
2 C onstruction
2.1 The product shall be free from any accessible
burrs, sharp edges or other feature that could cause
inj ury in handling.
2.2 If the end attachment is constructed with a
locking system then any risk of finger entrapment
shall be brought to the attention of the user by
inclusion within the instructions, (see clause
NOTE The construction of the locking system should be such as
to avoid this risk.
2.3 When tested in accordance with Annex A, each
elastic strap assembly shall sustain a force of 400 N
for 1 min. If the strap assembly is manufactured in
the form of a spider the centre j oining device shall
also sustain this force.
2.4 The strap shall stretch to its maximum usable
length, as stated by the manufacturer, with the
application of a force of less than or equal to 400 N.
1)
This length shall be given by the manufacturer.
2)
Marking BS AU 258: 1 995 on or in relation to a product represents a manufacturer’s declaration of conformity, i. e. a claim by or
on behalf of the manufacturer that the product meets the requirements of the standard. The accuracy of the claim is therefore
solely the responsibility of the person making the claim. Such a declaration is not to be confused with third party certification of
conformity which may also be desirable.
© BSI 06- 1 999
BS AU 2 5 8: 1 995
3 Product marking
3.1 The product shall carry a waterproof label which
shall be of sufficient strength that it cannot be
detached from the strap by a force of up to 70 N
applied by finger grip only. The lettering on the
label shall be printed red on white using capital
letters of 3 mm minimum height for the word
“Warning”, 1 mm lower case “x” height for the text
and shall comprise the following:
“WARNING
Do not stretch beyond the maximum usable
1)
length of . . . . . . .
Keep eyes, face and unprotected areas of the
body out of possible rebound path.
Keep out of reach of children.
Do not use to secure heavy or large (wind
resistant) loads. ”
In addition the label shall include the following
information.
a) The UK manufacturer’s, importer’s or
distributor’s name or trade mark and address.
b) The number and year of this British Standard,
2)
i. e. BS AU 258: 1 995
3.2 The warnings shall be clearly visible on the
product or packaging at the point of sale.
4).
4 Instructions for use
At the point of sale the instructions for use shall be
included with the strap assembly and shall cover at
least the following.
a) The maximum usable length.
b) Methods of correct attachment, outlining any
potential risks.
c) Warnings against potential misuse, as follows.
1 ) Not to use worn or frayed straps.
2) Not to j oin or knot straps together.
3) Not to modify or alter the end attachments.
1
BS AU 258:1 995
Annex A (normative)
Method of test
A.1 Principle
An elasticated strap is subj ected to a specified
tensile force.
A.2 Apparatus
A.2.1 Tensioner, comprising a means of applying a
steady tensile force to the attachment through a
round steel bar, 1 0 mm in diameter. Where the
internal diameter of the attachment is less
than 1 0 mm a steel bar of diameter equal to the
internal diameter of the attachment may be used.
A.2.2 Force measuring device, to indicate the
maximum force applied, capable of measuring up
to 500 N and accurate to within ± 5 N.
A.2.3 Enclosure, to contain any debris from a
component failing under test.
2
A.3 Test specimens
Attachments from an assembly may be tested
separately, but any cutting, separation, mounting or
securing of the sample shall be carried out so as not
to affect the attachment being evaluated and so that
the force is applied in a manner representative of
normal use.
A.4 Temperature of test and conditioning
Conduct tests with the specimens at (20 ± 2) ° C,
at (– 1 5 ± 2) ° C and at (40 ± 2) ° C.
Condition the specimen at the test temperature for
at least 4 h prior to testing.
A.5 Procedure
NOTE Take appropriate safety precautions to avoid inj ury
during these tests.
Apply a tensile force progressively to the assembly
by stretching the cord at a steady rate
between 1 00 mm/min and 1 000 mm/min, up to a
force of 400 N, and maintain this force for 1 min.
© BSI 06- 1 999
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BS AU 258:
1995
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