New Petzel Life Span

[Nick Connell]

I know Petzel recommend a max life span of 10 years from date of manufacture. I've just bought a brand new one for one of my men and it was made in 2009. Which seems limiting as its less than 2 and half years of possible use. Is there a minimum lifespan a shop should sell you with a new helmet?

[Haironyourchest]

Standard retail practice - stack the freshest helmets at the back of the shelf...gotta reach further back next time.

[Haironyourchest]

But seriously, as I understand it, plastic hard hats have a lifespan of five years from "when they are put into service". Its the UV light, temperature changes, chemicals and general ware and tare that degrades the plastic material. In a stable environment, they should not chemically change much in two years from date of manufacture. Even if they were exposed to light in the shop, it wouldn't be UV as normal window glass blocks most of that, hence why you can't tan indoors. If we're talking construction helmets, the support strapping should be changed every 12 months. The constant flexion of the plastic head bands weakens them. When it comes to higher quality special trades helmets, I don't know.