FHR & Hans Devices - FAQ

Hans® is a safety device, which aims at protecting the neck and the head of the driver during impacts. It has been used since many years in USA racing and now is employed in Motor Racing all over the World. Because it has proven to save lives, FIA has made it mandatory for many disciplines. If you would like to read more about it's history and development you can find more Info here: Hans History

FIA REGULATIONS

In order to use the Hans®, the driver needs a helmet fitted with attachment posts so the Hans® tethers can be attached to the helmet. Helmets manufacturers must therefore follow certain procedures to ensure that the installation does not compromise the homologation of the helmet. Only Helmets and systems published on the FIA ​​website can be used in FIA races. It is strongly recommended to read the FIA GUIDES below:

FIA MANUAL FOR HANS DEVICE USE
FIA MANUAL FOR HYBRID USE

WHAT DOES FHR STAND FOR?

"FHR" stands for Forward Head Restraint and is the term now used for all protective devices including Hans® and Hybrid systems.

WHAT DEGREE HANS® DO I NEED?

Most used degrees:
The use of the 20° Hans device is advised for Touring and Rally racing and where the seating position is upright.
The use of the 30° Hans device is advised for Formula and single-seater racing with a more ‘horizontal’ driving position.

Less used degrees:
The use of the 40° is used mainly in F1 for extreme seat recline.
The use of the 10° is used mainly for extreme upright seating like those found in US Sprint cars.

WHAT SIZE HANS® DO I NEED

The width of the HANS® collar is sized to fit your neck or shirt collar size. Generally:

• 15 to 18 Inches (38 cm - 47cm) - Size Medium (M)
• Over 18 Inches ( 46 cm) - Size Large (L).

However this may vary slightly depending on the different models.

WHAT TYPE OF SHOULDER BELTS WORK BEST WITH A HANS®?

Most FIA or SFI approved racing harnesses work with HANS®. Typical 3" (75mm) wide shoulder belts will work with HANS®. You may notice some overlap of the harness from the HANS® but this will not effect the performance of the device. The new HANS® specific harnesses 2"/3" (50mm/75mm) allow the shoulder belt to lay completely on the HANS® and may fit better in some of the trickier installations. In all cases we recommend proper installation and geometry of the harness system.

MY BELTS SOMETIMES SLIP OFF THE DEVICE. WHY?

Many of the more recent Hans versions have side wings to keep the belt in place and many Fia approved safety belts are now thinner on the top part to be fully Hans compatible. However properly mounted belts do not slip off the device. If your shoulder belts will not stay securely over the device when you are firmly belted in, chances are that you do not have the shoulder belt mounts properly located in your chassis. Please review the Fia Installation Instructions concerning shoulder belt mounting.

I CAN TOUCH MY CHIN TO MY CHEST WITH THE DEVICE ON. IS THIS A PROBLEM?

Only use Fia approved tethers whether stactic or sliding. The HANS® tethers offer a great deal of mobility while still reducing the chance of injury. In an actual impact, the HANS® will remain stationary with respect to the shoulder belts, while your body slides forward until the tethers straighten. (Your head will not swing down towards your chest). The slack in the tethers is taken up before the belts restrain the torso, the HANS®, and the head together.

CAN I PAINT MY HANS® DEVICE?

It is strongly recommended not to paint the HANS® device.

WHAT IF MY HANS® DEVICE IS IN AN IMPACT?

Like all driver safety equipment, HANS® devices should always be inspected after an accident. In a simple self-inspection, users should look for signs of de-lamination or surface cracking and exposed composite material under the finish. However, even the most thorough visual inspection and strength testing can fail to detect damage. This is one of the reasons that we do not resell or rent used devices, and we do not recommend that anyone buy a used device. If in doubt about the integrity of a HANS® device, it should be replaced.Only the manufacturere can determine whether a safety item is still safe following an accident.

WHEN SHOULD I REPLACE MY HANS® DEVICE?

The current Fia Standard regarding HANS® is Fia 8858-2010. Snell recommends replacing competition helmets every five years. HANS® devices are made with similar materials and resins. They are also exposed to similar environments. Snell's five-year rule for helmets is only a guideline, but it is one we think users should consider when reviewing the integrity of a HANS® device. Auto racing is dangerous, and the consequences of auto racing accidents can be violent and permanent. As a result, only HANS® devices that are in top condition should be worn in competition. The form of racing in which a user competes may also dictate the timeframe for replacing a HANS® device, especially if a user competes in open cockpit environments. Even the best materials deteriorate over time. Further, we recommend a user replaces their HANS® device if it is involved in an accident or shows any signs of structural damage. If in doubt about the integrity of a HANS® device, it should be replaced. HANS® devices should be kept clean and dry. Extreme hot or cold environments should be avoided. They should be kept away from petroleum products or other corrosives as these can have unexpected results on even the strongest composite materials and resins.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY HANS® DEVICE?

HANS® devices should be kept clean and dry. Extreme hot or cold environments should be avoided. They should be kept away from petroleum products or other corrosives as these can have unexpected results on even the strongest composite materials and resins. To protect them, HANS® devices should be stored out of direct sunlight or in a bag. They may be cleaned with soapy warm water

Disclaimer: Regulations & Standards

NB. The information on this site is constantly updated but may change at any time based on the decisions of the suppliers or individual sporting commissions. This data is therefore provided for informational purposes and does not replace the specific indications of each manufacturer or of the sports committees themselves. The regulations must always be checked with the competent sports bodies that govern your category or the event you will participate in.

FIA

Federation Internationale de L’Automobile. FIA official website. International Rules and Regulations of Motorsport.

ACI SPORT

Official website of the Italian Auto Sporting Commission.
Rules and Regulations for Motor racing in Italy.

CIK-FIA

Commission Internationale de Karting Fia.
International Rules and Regulations for Fia Kart racing.