This specification covers six mechanical tests and the corresponding minimum performance and design requirements for steel or aluminum alloy carabiners fabricated specifically for the sports of climbing and mountaineering. Two different types of carabiners are defined, namely, non-locking carabiners and locking carabiners. The mechanical tests to which the representative carabiners shall be evaluated on are gate function during body weight test, major axis gate closed 70 % force test, locking mechanism test, major axis gate closed ultimate strength test, major axis gate open ultimate strength test, and minor axis gate closed ultimate strength test. These tests are destructive in nature. Hence, carabiners subjected to any of these tests shall not be used in any way after testing, except in evaluating the results of such testing.

1.1 This specification covers six mechanical tests and the minimum performance requirements for carabiners designed specifically for the sports of climbing and mountaineering.

1.2 Two different types of carabiners are defined in this standard, non-locking carabiners and locking carabiners.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

1.4 Tests contained herein are destructive in nature. Carabiners subjected to any of these tests shall not be used in any way after testing except in evaluating the results of such testing.

1.5 this specification does not imply approval of any method of use of climbing and mountaineering carabiners. In addition, the test load values contained herein are not to be interpreted as the forces which a climbing and mountaineering carabiner may be subjected to, or expected to sustain in actual field use.