Technical Bulletin

Assessment of AutomaticPassenger Airbag Disabling
Systems
Version 1.2

December 2016
TB 023

Assessment of Automatic Passenger Airbag Disabling
Systems
1.

Introduction

Euro NCAP recognises the need to introduce a standard method of assessment for
automatic passenger airbag disabling systems fitted to vehicles going through theprogramme.
The laboratory must check if the minimum requirements are followed:
 Airbag is OFF when using a Rearward Facing CRS
 Airbag is ON for a 5th occupant and above
The rest (forward facing CRS + child alone) is the responsibility of the OEM andthere are different strategies. The following requirements and test matrix aim to covera variety of possible occupant sizes and installation modes.

2.

Requirement for Airbag Status
Requirement for Airbag Status

Can it be done by Lab?

Occupant

Rearward
Facing CRS(can be Group 0/ 0+ / 1 / 2)

ForwardFacing CRS(= Group 1)

Highbackbooster(=Group2/3)

Boostercushion(=Group 3)

No CRS

The systemneeds a realhuman being

forbidden

Thesystem
does notneed a realhumanbeingYes

new bornOFF

forbidden

forbidden

forbidden

1.5 yoOFF? (1)forbiddenforbidden

forbidden

Yes

No

3 yo

OFF? (1)? (1)forbidden

forbidden

Yes

No

6 yo

OFF? (1)? (1)forbidden

forbidden

Yes

No

10 yo

N/A *

N/A? (1)? (1)forbidden

Yes

No

5thON

Yes

Yes

50thONYes

Yes

95thON

Yes

Yes

No

Shaded area = Mandatory minimum requirements
N/A*: in theory it is possible to have a group 3 rwd facing CRS but none are known at present to exist.
(1) It is the decision from the OEM. There is no mandatory status requirement, however if strategy is airbag ON OEM should
show that this does not lead to higher risk than with airbag OFF.
For CRS installations involving a child the weight range for the various groups for which the CRS is approved will be adhered to.

3.

Test Matrix
Installation to checks

Occupant

Rearward Facing
CRS(can be Group 0 /0+ / 1 / 2)

Forward Facing
CRS(= Group 1)

Highback booster(=Group 2/3)

Booster cushion(=Group 3)

No CRS

new born#1 - Cabriofix
Belted#2 - Cabriofix B+L

forbidden

forbidden

forbidden

forbidden

1.5 yo#1 - Cabriofix
Belted#2 - Cabriofix B+L#3 - Cabriofix I+L(if Isofix on frontseat)#4 - Romer King

forbidden

forbidden

forbidden

3 yo#5 - Britax Elite#4 - Romer King
#6 - Duo I+S (ifIsofix on front seat)#8 - KidFix Belted#9 - KidFix B+I (ifIsofix on front seat)

forbidden

forbidden

6 yo#5 – Britax Elite#7 - Britax
Advansafix II SICT
B+I (if Isofix onfront seat)#8 - KidFix Belted#9 - KidFix B+I (ifIsofix on front seat)#10 - KidFix
cushion onlyBelted

forbidden

10 yonot testednot tested#8 - KidFix Belted#9 - KidFix B+I (ifIsofix on front seat)#10 - KidFix
cushion only
Beltedforbidden

5th

real
human
real
human
real
human

50th
95th

Installation of CRS listed in the table above and settings are done according to “Installation of Top Pick
List Child Restraints” (TPL) in the Testing Protocol – child occupant protection.
List of child seats needed:#1 – Maxi Cosi Cabriofix Belted#2 – Maxi Cosi Cabriofix + EasyBase 2 B+L#3 – Maxi Cosi Cabriofix + FamilyFix I+L#4 – Britax Römer King II LS Universal#5 – Britax Römer Two-way Elite Universal#6 – Britax Römer Duo Plus I+S#7 - Britax Römer Advansafix II SICT B+I#8 - Britax Römer KidFix XP Belted#9 - Britax Römer KidFix XP B+I#10 Britax Römer KidFix XP cushion only Belted
Isofix CRS (#3, #6, #7, #9) only if Isofix on Front seat

CRS on TPL?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
NoYes
NoYes
Yes
Yes

It should be noted that Euro NCAP has used a small selection of CRS available on themarket in order to test a variety of CRS groups, orientation and attachment methods.
When dealing with automatic airbag disabling systems it should not be forgotten that
the Child assessment protocol requires the following:
2.5.3 Additional Requirements for Automatic Switches Onlya) The system must ensure that the airbag is OFF for ANY rearward facing
CRS and obviate any risk associated with airbag deploymentb) If, with the ignition on and with engine running or not, the airbag status canbe changed, the entire system must immediately react to the change correctly.
Systems will be checked once the vehicle diagnostics/system checks havebeen completed.
c) The system must automatically re-activate the airbag when the seat is
occupied by a person who is not required to use a child restraint.