US. Deportment 1200 New Jersey Ave .. SE 

of Transportation Washington, D.C. 20590 

Federal Highway 

Administration May 6, 20 16 

In Reply Refer To: 

H SST-1 /CC-86C 

Mr. Matthew Harriman 

Hill and Smith Ltd 

61 Foskew Way 

Springvale Business and Industrial Park, Bilston 

West Midlands, WV I 40QL 

United Kingdom 

Dear Mr. Harriman: 

This letter is in response to your January 6. 20 16 request for the Federal I ligl1\.rny Administration 

(Fl l\VA) to revjew a roadside safety device. hardware. or system for eligibility for 

reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program. This FHWA letter of eligibility is 

assigned FHWA control number CC-86C and is va lid until a subsequent letter is issued by 

FHWA that expressly references this device. 

Decision 

The following devices arc eligible. with details provided in the form which is altached as an 

integral part of this letter: 

• Brifen WRGT systems 

Scope of this Letter 

To be found eligible for Federal-aid funding, modified roadside safety devices should meet the 

crash test and evaluation criteria contained in the National Cooperative I lighway Research 

Program (NCHRP) Report 350. However, the fHWA, the Department of Transportation, and the 

United States Government do not regulate the manufacture of roadside safety devices. Eligibility 

for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program does not establish approval. 

certification or endorsement of the device for any particular purpose or use. 

This Jetter is not a determination by the FHWA, the Department of Transportation, or the United 

Stales Government that a vehicle crash involving the device will result in any particular 

outcome. nor is it a guarantee of the in-service performance of this device. Proper 

manufacturing, installation. and maintenance are required in order for this device to function as 

tested. 

This finding of eligibility is limited to the crashwo11hiness of the system and does not cover other 

structural features, nor conformity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control. 
2 

Eligibility for Reimbursement 

FHWA previously issued an eligibility letter for the roadside safety system described in your 

pending request. Your pending request now identifies a modification to that roadside safety 

system. 

The original roadside safety device information is provided here: 

Name ofsystem: BRIFEN Wire Rope Safety Fence End Terminal 

Type of system: End Terminal 

Date of original request: December 29, 2006 

Date oforiginal FHW A eligibility letter: January 5, 2007 

FHW A Control number: HSSD/CC86B 

The pending modification(s) consists of the following changes: 

I. Component; cable end attachment sleeve 

FHWA concurs with the recommendation of the accredited crash testing laboratory as stated 

within the attached form. 

Full Description of the Eligible Device 

The device and supporting documentation, including reports ofthe crash tests or other testing 

done, videos of any crash testing, and/or drawings ofthe device, are described in the attached 

form. 

Notice 

If a manufacturer makes any modification to any of their roadside safety hardware that has an 

existing eligibility letter from FHW A, the manufacturer must notify FHWA ofsuch modification 

with a request for continued eligibility for reimbursement. The notice of all modifications to a 

device must be accompanied by: 

o 	 Significant modifications - For these modifications, crash test results must be 

submitted with accompanying documentation and videos. 

o 	 Non-signification modifications - For these modifications, a statement from the 

crash test laboratory on the potential effect ofthe modification on the ability of 

the device to meet the relevant crash test criteria. 

FHW A's determination of continued eligibility for the modified hardware will be based on 

whether the modified hardware will continue to meet the relevant crash test criteria. 

You are expected to supply potential users with sufficient information on design, installation and 

maintenance 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 test 

and evaluation criteria of the NCHRP Report 350. 
3 

Issuance of this letter does not convey property rights of any so11 or any exclusive privilege. This 

lctlcr is based on the premise that information and reports submitted by you arc accurate and 

correct. We reserve the right to modify or revoke this letter if: (I) there arc any inaccuracies in 

the information submitted in support of your request for this letter, (2) the qualification testing 

was flawed, (3) in-service performance or other information reveals safety problems, (4) the 

system is significantly different from the version that \Vas crash tested, or (5) any other 

information indicates that the letter was issued in error or otherwise does not reflect full and 

complete information about the crash worthiness of the system. 

Standard Provisions 

• 	 To prevent misunderstanding by others, this Jetter of el igibility designated as FH\V A 

control number CC-86C shall not be reproduced except in fu ll. This letter and the test 

documentation upon which it is based are public information. All such lcllers and 

documentation may be reviewed upon request. 

• 	 This letter shall not be construed as authorization or consent by the Fl lW /\ to use, 

manufacture, or sell any patented system for which the app li cant is not the patent holder. 

• 	 Ir the subj ect device is a patented product it may be considered to be proprietary. If 

proprietary systems arc specified by a highway agency for use on Federal-aid projects: 

(a) they must be supplied through competitive bidding with equally suitable unpatented 

items; (b) the highway agency must certify that they arc essenti al for synchronization 

with the existing highway facilities or that no equally suitable alternative exists; or (c) 

they must be used for research or for a distinctive type of construction on relatively short 

scc1ions of road for experimental purposes. Our regulations concerning proprietary 

products are contained in Title 23. Code of Federal Regulations, Section 635 .411. 

Sincerely yours, 

Michael S. Grirfith 

Director, Office of Safety Technologies 

Office of Safety 

Enclosures 
Version 9.2 (02/16) 

Page 1 of 4 

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility 

of Highway Safety Hardware 

... 

GI 

Date of Request: 1-6-16 I r.New (' Resubmission 

Name: Matthew Harriman 

Company: Hill and Smith ltd ~ 

E Address: Springvale Business and Industrial Park. Bilston. West Midlands, WV140QL 

.a 

:I 

Cl'I Country: UK 

To: Michael S. Griffith, Director 

FHWA, Office of Safety Technologies 

I request the following devices be considered eligible for reimbursement under the Federal-aid 

highway program. 

[i+ll 

System Type Submission Type Device Name I Variant Testing Criterion Test 

Level 

'CC': Crash Cushions, 

Attenuators, &Terminals 

(' Physical Crash Testing 

(i Engineering Analysis 

Brifen WRGT systems 

NCHRP Report 350 TL3 

By submitting this request for review and evaluation by the Federal Highway Administration, I certify 

that the product(s) was (were) tested In conformity with the NCHRP Report 350 (Report 350) and that 

the evaluation results meet the appropriate evaluation criteria in the Report 350. 

Identification of the individual or organization responsible for the product: 

Contact Name: Matthew Harriman Same as Submitter 181 

Company Name: Hill and Smith Ltd Same as Submitter 181 

Address: S-~~-ng:'~le Business and Industrial Park. Bilston, West Midlands, 11 Same as Submitter 181 

Country: UK Same as Submitter 181 

Enter below all disclosures of financial interests as required by the FHWA 'Federal-Aid Reimbursement 

Eligibility Process for Safety Hardware Devices' document. 

No test house or any employee of a test house has any financial interests in the products being submitted for 

approval. All of the Brifen system is proprietary and is wholly owned by Hill and Smith Ltd. 

(Signed disclosure attached) 
New Hardware or r::- Modification to N s· ifi r 1 Significant Modification • Existing Hardware on- ign icant 

Brifen has developed a new cable end attachment sleeve for use with its End Terminal Rope Connectors. 

Design drawing of the new cable end attachment sleeve is included in Attachment A. This new component is 

introduced to simplify the end of cable to anchor installation procedure. This will reduce the time needed to 

anchor the cables, decrease the chances of improperly joining the cables in the sleeves, and help assure 

adequate anchorage for all installations. This component is essentially the same length and radius as the 

previous design and provides the same functionality. Therefore, this modification is considered "nonsignificant" with "positive" effect. The attached analyses and documents offer what we believe are conclusive 

justifications that the new cable end attachment sleeve will provide equivalent performance while offering 

considerably easier installation compared to the original component. This memo respectfully requests your 

acceptance of this new sleeve as a replacement to the one previously used for Brifen TL3 and TL4 cable barrier 

designs (FHWA acceptance letters: CC-86, CC-86a, and CC-86b). 

CRASH TESTING 

By signature below, the Engineer affiliated with the testing laboratory, agrees in support of this 

submission that the Modification to Existing Hardware is deemed Non-significant for the device listed 

above to meet the NCH RP Report 350 criteria. 

Engineer Name: Oliver Harrison 

Engineer Signature: 

Address: 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238·5116 Same as Submitter 0 

Country: USA Same as Submitter 0 

Version 9.2 (02/16) 

Page 2 of 4 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

A brief description of each crash test and Its result: 

Required Test Narrative Evaluation 

Number Description 

Non-significant, no effect (see justification 

Results 

letter), performed by MIRA, PASS (WRGT, 3-30 (820() Modification has no effect on crashworthiness 

see CC-86), performed by SwRI, PASS 

(WRGT-Fl, see CC-86b) 

S3-30 (700( non-critical; NCH RP 350 optional test Non-Critical, not conducted 

non-critical; waived based on terminal 

3-31 (2000P) design and no concerns with other tests Non-Critical, not conducted 

(see CC-86) 
Version 9.2 (02/16) 

Page 3 of 4 

Required Test Narrative Evaluation 


Number 
 Description Results 

non-critical; waived based on terminal 


3-32 (820() 
 design and no concerns with other tests Non-Critical, not conducted 

(seeCC-86) 

53-32 (700() non-critical; NCHRP 350 optional test Non-Critical, not conducted 

non-critical; waived based on terminal 

3-33 (2000P) design and no concerns with other tests Non-Critical, not conducted 

(seeCC-86) 

Non-significant, no effect (see justification 

3-34(820() letter), performed by MIRA, PASS (WRGT, Modification has no effect on crashworthiness 

seeCC-86) 

53-34(700() non-critical; NCHRP 350 optional test Non-Critical, not conducted 

Non-significant, no effect (see justification 

3-35 (2000P) letter), perfonned by MIRA, PASS (WRGT, Modification has no effect on crashworthiness 

seeCC-86) 

3-36(8200 test does not apply to a gating terminal Non-Relevant Test, not conducted 

53-36 (700C) non-critical; NCH RP 350 optional test Non-Critical, not conducted 

3·37 (2000P) test does not apply to a gating terminal Non-Relevant Test, not conducted 

3·38 (2000P) test does not apply to a gating terminal Non-Relevant Test, not conducted 

Non-significant, no effect (see justification 

3·39 (2000P) letter), performed by MIRA, PASS (WRGT, Modification has no effect on crashworthiness 

seeCC-86) 

3-40 (2000P) test does not apply to a re-directive term inal Non-Relevant Test, not conducted 

S3-40 (7000 non-critical; NCH RP 350 optional test Non-Critical, not conducted 

3-41 (2000P) test does not apply to a re-directive terminal Non-Relevant Test, not conducted 


3-42 (820(} 
 test does not apply to a re-directive terminal Non-Relevant Test, not conducted 

53-42 (700C) non-critical; NCHRP 350 optional test Non-Critical, not conducted 

3-43 (2000P) test does not apply to a re-di rectlve terminal Non-Relevant Test, not conducted 

3-44 (2000P) test does not apply to a re-directive terminal Non-Relevant Test, not conducted 

By signature below, the laboratory agrees In support of this submission that the Modification to Existing 

Hardware is deemed Non-significant for the device listed above to meet the NCH RP 350 criteria. 

Testing laboratory's signature concurs that these modifications are considered Non-Significant. 

laboratory Name: 

laboratory Signature: 

Southwest Research Institute 

Jenny Ferren Dlg.'UO,ll;Mdll!'J<MrCH:cn•Jtnnr Fmtf\ a•SGt.;Uiwwdtlnuah lmtltutt.OU.Strutiiuat 

(nglnclM9DelNMMn~-lojl---C-U$ 

D&ll:201LOUSl1SIJIAddress: 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238-5116 Same as Submitter 0 

Country: USA Same as Submitter 0 

Accreditation Certificate 

Number and Dates of current 

Accreditation period : 

A2LA Accredited Testing laboratory, Certificate 1110.02, Valid to 3/31 /16 

_.......iltll.IEI ....... 


Submitter Signature*:Matt Harriman :=':"":""...:=': -......... 
 ~111&a1.JriAH••w 
Version 9.2 (02/16) 

Page 4 of 4 

AITACHMENTS 

Attach to this form: 

1) Additional disclosures ofrelated financial interest as indicated above. 

2) A copy of the full test report, video, and a Test Data Summary Sheet for each test conducted in 

support of this request. 

3) A drawing or drawings of the device(s) that conform to the Task Force-13 Drawing Specifications 

[Hardware Guide Drawing Standards]. For proprietary products, a single isometric line drawing is 

usually acceptable to illustrate the product, with detailed specifications, intended use, and contact 

information provided on the reverse. Additional drawings (not in TF-13 format) showing details that 

are relevant to understanding the dimensions and performance ofthe device should also be submitted 

to facilitate our review. 

FHWA Official Business Onlv: 

Eligibility letter 

Number Date Key Words 
SOUTHW EST RESEARCH INSTITUTE. 


1220 CULEBRA ROAD 7U31·51H • P.O. ORAWER 28510 7U28·0510 • SAN ANlONIO, TtXAS, USA • (210) e84·5111 • WWW.SWRI ono 

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DIVISION 

January 8, 2016 

Safety Design Team, Room £7 1-322 

Office of Safety Technologies - HSST 

Federal Highway Administration 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington DC 20590 

Subject: SwRl

1 Concurrence wi1h Request for FHWA Acceptance of a New End Terminal 

Rope Conncclor 

Reference: Completed "Fann to Request Eligibility for Federal Aid Reimbursement" 

Hill & Smi1h Letter Disclosing Financial Interests, "Reference: Mechanical fining 

submission" 

Hill & Smith Letter of Supporting Documentation, Dated June 10, 2015 

To Whom It May Concern: 

Sou1hwest Research lns1itute (SwRI) is providing this letter slaling our concurrence that 

modifications to the Brifen WRSF sys1ems new cable end at1achment sleeve for use with its End 

Tem1inal Rope Connectors arc non-signific ant. This conclusion is based on review of the 

referenced supporting documcnlation letter and the following supplemental documentalion: 

• 	 UKAS ISO 17025 accreditation certificale for Rotech Laboratories Limited with schedule 

of accreditation identifying 1ensile mechanical 1esting (regarding most recent testing of 

new design) 

• 	 Bureau Veritas ISO 900 I certificate for Certex USA management system with 

accompanying verification report ofequipment used for proof testing oforiginal design 

• 	 A2LA ISO 17025 accreditation certificate for Midwest Roadside Safety Facility with scope 

ofaccreditation identifying mechanical (crash) testing (regarding comparative test data of 

cable tension during a crash event) 

The overall size of the component has not changed, and based on the information above it provides 

the same fu nctionality but with improved ease-of-use; therefore, SwRJ concurs with the 

justification presented by Hill & Smith that th is modification is non-significant. 

Thank you for your consideration of this subminal. If you have any questions, or if we may be of 

further assistance, please do not hesitate to call me. I can be reached at (210) 522-2577 or e-mail at 

oliver.harrison@swri.org. 

Best Regards, 	 Reviewed and Approved by: 

Oliver Harrison, Research Engineer 

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SprlngV'11c BusJncss & Industrial Park Threaded Adaptor , lli!ston, Wolverhampton, \W14 OQL 

h1flTel: 01902 499 400 m Fax: 01902 499 419 

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