A full-service, independent biomechanical testing facility
A2LA accredited to ISO 17025 since 1999
A full-service, independent biomechanical testing facility
A2LA accredited to ISO 17025 since 1999
SIRC Testing and Consulting Services
SIRC's expertise is rooted in the evaluation of sporting goods and personal protective equipment
- Consumer Product Testing
- Product Design Evaluation and Risk Management
- QA/QC Testing
- Litigation Support
- Injury Analysis and Biomechanical Reconstruction
- NOCSAE Test Equipment
- NFHS Equipment Authentication
- Custom Test Protocols [We Enjoy a Challenge]
Learn more about our lab's test capabilities by clicking the link below
Available Test Equipment
SIRC has an extensive range of test equipment to facilitate your testing needs including
- Hybrid III Headforms and Necks
- NOCSAE Twin Wire Drop System
- Commotio Cordis Chest Surrogate
- Compression/Tensile Test Machine
- Mandible Load Sensing Headform
- High Speed Video Camera
- ISO, DOT, and ASTM Headforms
- Projectile Cannon
- Pneumatic Ram
Looking for something else? Please contact us to see if we can assist you
Our Team
Erik Stordahl
Elizabeth McCalley, BSBME
Elizabeth McCalley, BSBME
Owner/Administrative Director
Prior to SIRC, Erik spent 25 years in the manufacturing & industrial world with the last 10 being in automotive engineering, quality & process design/improvement. Erik brings that experience and a passion for teamwork & process improvement to our team.
Originally from Minneapolis, Erik e
Owner/Administrative Director
Prior to SIRC, Erik spent 25 years in the manufacturing & industrial world with the last 10 being in automotive engineering, quality & process design/improvement. Erik brings that experience and a passion for teamwork & process improvement to our team.
Originally from Minneapolis, Erik enjoys watching & playing hockey, anything & everything music and spending as much time as possible with his wife & kids.
Elizabeth McCalley, BSBME
Elizabeth McCalley, BSBME
Elizabeth McCalley, BSBME
Technical Director
Elizabeth joined the SIRC team in 2007, a couple years after graduating with a degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Tennessee. Elizabeth's time at SIRC began in the lab, learning how biomechanical injury thresholds relate to product test metrics and working with experimental test
Technical Director
Elizabeth joined the SIRC team in 2007, a couple years after graduating with a degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Tennessee. Elizabeth's time at SIRC began in the lab, learning how biomechanical injury thresholds relate to product test metrics and working with experimental test equipment. Nowadays, a large component of Elizabeth's work at SIRC deals with test standard development and product compliance as well as forensic analysis of protective equipment. Away from the lab, Elizabeth spends much of her free time exploring the trails and roads of East Tennessee while riding bikes with friends, eating tacos, and spending time with her partner, Dave, and two dogs, Stella and Tango.
Mel Cook
Elizabeth McCalley, BSBME
Kurt Nuber
Laboratory Supervisor
Mel served in the United States Air Force where he was trained in the art of troubleshooting Satellite Communication Systems and electronic devices. He began working with NOCSAE standards in 1984, learning the ins and outs of test techniques from some of the original NOCSAE pioneers. Mel continued hi
Laboratory Supervisor
Mel served in the United States Air Force where he was trained in the art of troubleshooting Satellite Communication Systems and electronic devices. He began working with NOCSAE standards in 1984, learning the ins and outs of test techniques from some of the original NOCSAE pioneers. Mel continued his education in the mechanical testing laboratory field to include many different test protocols including standards developed by the ASTM and the CPSC. When not at work, Mel enjoys spending time with his family, cruising the areas many lakes and visiting the nearby Smokey Mountains
Kurt Nuber
Dave Halstead
Kurt Nuber
Laboratory Technician
Kurt was recruited to join SIRC in February 2020 after spending 22 years working in the bicycle industry. Originally from Ohio, Kurt studied physical education at Ohio Dominican University and Otterbein University and previously worked as a natural gas technician and pipefitter. Away from work, Kurt
Laboratory Technician
Kurt was recruited to join SIRC in February 2020 after spending 22 years working in the bicycle industry. Originally from Ohio, Kurt studied physical education at Ohio Dominican University and Otterbein University and previously worked as a natural gas technician and pipefitter. Away from work, Kurt enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, fishing in the pond, playing the drums, and watching college football.
Dave Halstead
Dave Halstead
Dave Halstead
Founder
Technical Director Emeritus
Dave began his career as a firefighter and EMT before joining the Air Force where he was trained as a flight medic serving in several combat environments.
After leaving the Air Force he started a line of protective clothing and was recruited by Bike helmet to help design and test helmets
Founder
Technical Director Emeritus
Dave began his career as a firefighter and EMT before joining the Air Force where he was trained as a flight medic serving in several combat environments.
After leaving the Air Force he started a line of protective clothing and was recruited by Bike helmet to help design and test helmets and other protective equipment. During this time Dave worked closely with Dr. Voigt Hodgson and became deeply involved in the study of brain injury. At this time he became involved with ASTM, ISO, SEI, HECC, NOCSAE and other committees dedicated to headgear and/or head injury.
Dave is considered a subject matter expert on the topics of protective equipment and head injury and has testified in countless court cases including in front of Congress.