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                Safety Eligibility Letter SS-177
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Sign Supports, Mailboxes, and Delineator Posts
                          **Code:**
            SS-177
                          **Date:**
            02/06/2013
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            MDSolutions
                          **Device Description:**
            Generic Perforated Square Steel Tube Sign Supports
                          **View PDF:**
            ss177.pdf (680.1 KB)
    
    Safety Eligibility Letter SS-177 - Safety

			

						
**Download Version**PDF [681 KB]

DOT logoU.S. Department of Transportation**Federal Highway Administration**

			1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E.Washington, D.C. 20590

February 6, 2013
In Reply Refer To:
  HSST/SS-177
  
  
  Mr. Nirmal Bajoria
    MDSolutions, Inc.
    8225 Estates Parkway
    Plain City, Ohio  43064
  Dear Mr. Bajoria:
This letter is in response to your request for  the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to review a roadside safety system  for eligibility for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program.
Name of system:
      Perforated square steel tube sign supportsType of system:
      Breakaway small sign supportsTest Level:
      NCHRP Report 350 Test Level 3Testing conducted by:
      N/ADate of request:
      September 17, 2012Date initially acknowledged:
      September 19, 2012Date of completed package:
      September 26, 2012**Decision:**
The following device is eligible, with details provided in the form, drawings, and letter dated September 17, 2012, which are attached as integral parts of this letter:
Generic perforated square steel tube sign supports, 12 and 14 ga, 1.75-inch and 2.0 inch for supports, and 2.25 inch for anchors.Based on a comparison of your products to previously crash  tested generic breakaway sign supports you submitted certifying the device  described herein meets the crash test and evaluation criteria of the National  Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350, the device is eligible  for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program.  Eligibility for reimbursement under the  Federal-aid highway program does not establish approval or endorsement by the  FHWA for any particular purpose or use.
The FHWA, the Department of Transportation, and the United  States Government do not endorse products or services and the issuance of a  reimbursement eligibility letter is not an endorsement of any product or  service.
**Requirements**
  To be found eligible for Federal-aid funding, roadside  safety devices should meet the crash test and evaluation criteria contained in  the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350 or the American Association of State Highway and Transportation  Officials' Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH).
**Description**
  The device and supporting documentation are described in  the attached form, letter, and drawings.
**Summary and Standard Provisions**
  Therefore, the system described and detailed in the  attached form is eligible for reimbursement and may be installed under the  range of conditions tested.  These test  conditions are summarized in the Task Force 13 drawing SSF02a-c which is  enclosed for reference.
Please note the following standard provisions that apply  to FHWA eligibility letters:
This letter provides a AASHTO/ARTBA/AGC Task  Force 13 designator that should be used for the purpose of the creation of a  new and/or the update of existing Task Force 13 drawing for posting on the  on-line 'Guide to Standardized Highway Barrier Hardware' currently referenced  in AASHTO Roadside Design Guide.
  This finding of eligibility does not cover other structural features of  the systems, nor conformity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
  Any changes that may influence system  conformance with NCHRP Report 350 criteria will require a new reimbursement  eligibility letter.
  Should the FHWA discover that the qualification  testing was flawed, that in-service performance reveals safety problems, or  that the system is significantly different from the version that was crash  tested, we reserve the right to modify or revoke this letter.
  You are expected to supply potential users with  sufficient information on design and installation requirements to ensure proper  performance.
  You are expected to certify to potential users  that the hardware furnished has the same chemistry, mechanical properties, and  geometry as that submitted for review, and that it will meet the crash test and  evaluation criteria of the NCHRP Report 350.
  To prevent misunderstanding by others, this  letter of eligibility is designated as number SS-177 and shall not be  reproduced except in full.  This letter  and the test documentation upon which it is based are public information.  All such letters and documentation may be  reviewed at our office upon request.Sincerely yours,
      
      */* Signature of Michael S. Griffith */*
      
      Michael S. Griffith
        Director, Office of Safety Technologies
        Office of SafetyEnclosures U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

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