DLSTS (WIP)

DLSTS
Dart Launcher Standards of Testing and Safety

To cite a piece of this document, the format is as follows: DLSTS-[section]-[entry].[sub-entry]
Ex: DLSTS-A-3.2
If values were estimated significantly, add -E at the end of the citation (Ex: DLSTS-A-1.1-E )


Section A: Testing

Entry 1
Dart velocity for safety is measured using (one or more of) the following procedure(s):
1. In a room with no ventilation, place an audio recording device on the floor in the middle of the room. Set up a solid target 33 feet from the muzzle of the blaster. Begin recording and fire the dart at the target using the blaster. Stop the recording. Finally, measure the time interval between the spikes corresponding to firing and impact, and calculate the average lateral speed of the dart.

Entry 2
Range is tested outdoors on level ground with wind speed under 3 mph. Fire the blaster straight up and triangulate the maximum height of the dart, then subtract the height of the muzzle. The resulting distance value is the blaster's "flat range" with that dart.

Entry 3
Accuracy is defined one of two ways:
1. The percentile ratio of the radius from the target point that includes 50% of the darts fired to the distance between the muzzle and the target point.
2. The combination of the two values mentioned in 3.1, but not in a ratio.


Section B: Safety

Entry 1
A dart launcher becomes a weapon and is no longer allowed in competitions when either (1) the dart is capable of causing lasting tissue damage, (2) the dart is capable of drawing blood from uninjured exposed human skin, and/or (3) the dart's muzzle velocity is above 105 fps.

Entry 2
1. Sharp edges and points are considered a safety hazard and not recommended. Use caution when operating blasters with sharp edges and points.
2. Sharp points on darts are strictly prohibited, inside and outside competition, regardless of firing.

Section C: Categories

Entry 1: Target types
1: Human targets. Nonconsensual firing at human targets is prohibited.
2: Solid targets. No restrictions. Darts tend to rebound over a broad area.
3: Smooth targets. No restrictions. Suction darts work well with these, as they will often stick to the target for some length of time.
4: Draped fabric targets. No restrictions. These targets are very effective at preventing rebounds. Darts usually fall straight down after impact. These targets can also be made quite large.



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