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# Safety Eligibility Letter SS-179

**Hardware Type:**

**Code:**

**Date:**

07/03/2013

**Testing Criteria:**

**Manufacturer:**

**Device Description:**

**View PDF:**

ss179.pdf (1.28 MB)

# Safety Eligibility Letter SS-179 - Safety

**Download Version**PDF

U.S. Department of Transportation**Federal Highway Administration**

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

July 3, 2013

In Reply Refer To:  HSST/SS-179

Mr. Gregory R. Brinkmeyer, P.E.    Hori-Zone Concepts LLC    14417 Chandler Road    Taylor, Texas  76574

Dear Mr. Brinkmeyer,

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.  

**Decision:**The following device is eligible, with details provided in the form which is attached as an integral part of this letter:
                      - Centerline Supply Triangular Slipbase Breakaway Sign Support with Locking Sign Collar Assembly 

Based on a review of crash test results referenced by the manufacturer certifying the device described herein conforms to the Texas Department of Transportation standard triangular slip base for small sign supports, and 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 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 and drawing. It augments the standard generic three-bolt slip base breakaway sign support by adding a collar and locking mechanism to prevent the sign from rotating due to vibrations. 

**Summary and Standard Provisions**Therefore, the system described and detailed in the attached form and drawing is eligible for reimbursement and may be installed under the range of conditions tested.

Please note the following standard provisions that apply  to FHWA eligibility letters:
                      - 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-179 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. 
                      - This letter shall not be construed as  authorization or consent by the FHWA to use, manufacture, or sell any patented  system for which the applicant is not the patent holder.  The FHWA does not become involved in issues  concerning patent law. Patent issues, if any, are to be resolved by the  applicant.
                      - The Centerline Supply Triangular Slipbase Locking Sign  Collar Assembly is a patented product and considered proprietary.  If proprietary systems are 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 are essential 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 sections of road for experimental purposes.  Our regulations concerning proprietary  products are contained in Title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, Section  635.411.
|   | Sincerely yours,

*/* Signature of Michael S. Griffith */*

Michael S. Griffith        Director, Office of Safety Technologies        Office of Safety |
|--------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

Enclosures

## Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement EligibilityOf Highway Safety Hardware

| Submitter    | **Date of Request:**                                             | May 15, 2013                               |    New     Resubmission |
|--------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|
| **Name:**    | Gregory R. Brinkmeyer, P.E.                                      | Signature: /s/ Gregory R. Brinkmeyer, P.E. |
| **Company:** | Hori-Zone Concepts LLC                                           |
| **Address:** | 14417 Chandler Road; Taylor, TX 76574                            |
| Country:     | USA                                                              |
| **To:**      | Michael S. Griffith, DirectorFHWA, Office of Safety Technologies |

I request the following devices be considered eligible for reimbursement under the Federal-aidhighway program.
| System Type                                                               | Submission Type                                              | Device Name/Variant                                                | Testing Criterion | Test Level |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|------------|
| 'SS': Breakaway Sign Supports, Mailboxes, & other small sign supports |  Physical Crash Testing FEA & V&V Analysis | Centerline Supply Triangular Slipbase locking Sign Collar Assembly | NCHRP Report 350  | TL3        |

By submitting this request for review and evaluation by the Federal Highway Administration, I certifythat the product(s) was (were) tested in conformity with the NCHRP Report 350 (Report 350) and thatthe evaluation results meet the appropriate evaluation criteria in the Report 350.

Identification of the individual or organization responsible for the product:
| **Contact Name:** | Foy Barrett                               | Same as Submitter  ☐   |
|-------------------|-------------------------------------------|------------------------|
| **Company Name:** | Centerline Supply, LTD                    | Same as Submitter  ☐   |
| **Address:**      | 530 Jesse Street; Grand Prairie, TX 75051 | Same as Submitter  ☐   |
| **Country:**      | USA                                       | Same as Submitter  ☐   |

## PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

| New Hardware                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |    Modification to Existing Hardware | Non-Significant – Effect is positive or Inconsequential   |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|
| The Centerline Supply Triangular Slipbase Locking Sign Collar Assembly uses the same crashworthiness designprinciples of the omni-directional, triangular three-bolt slipbase commonly referred to as a the "TexasTriangular Slipbase". The modification to this basic design uses a tapered locking collar to secure the 2.875"outside diameter sign support. The locking action resulting from the collar's contact around the entirecircumference of sign support minimizes the potential for the sign support and attached signs to rotate duringstrong wind conditions. This is a problem with many of the other previously approved triangular slipbase uppercastings which use set-bolts to prevent support rotation. The raw material used is 65-45-12 Ductile Cast Iron(ASTM A536). The assembly weighs approximately 11.9lbs. The three- 5/8" diameter triangular slipbase boltsare to be tightened to 40 foot-pounds. The two- 5/8" diameter locking collar bolts are to be tightened to 60foot-pounds. |

 

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## CRASH TESTING

A brief description of each crash test and its result:

 
| Required Test Number | Narrative Description | Evaluation Results |
|----------------------|-----------------------|--------------------|
| 3-60 (820C)          |                  | WAIVER REQUEST     |
| S3-60 (700C)         |                  | WAIVER REQUEST     |
| 3-61 (820C)          |                  | WAIVER REQUEST     |
| S3-61 (700C)         |                  | WAIVER REQUEST     |

Full Scale Crash Testing was done in compliance with Report 350 by the following accredited crash testlaboratory (cite the laboratory's accreditation status as noted in the crash test reports.):
| **Laboratory Name:**                                |   |
|-----------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **Laboratory Contact:**                             |   | Same as Submitter ☐ |
| **Address:**                                        |   | Same as Submitter ☐ |
| **Country:**                                        |   | Same as Submitter ☐ |
| **Accreditation Certificate      Number and Date:** |   |

## ATTACHMENTS

Attach to this form:
                      - 1) A copy of the full test report, video, and a Test Data Summary Sheet for each test conducted insupport of this request.
                      - 2) 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 isusually acceptable to illustrate the product, with detailed specifications, intended use, and contactinformation provided on the reverse. Additional drawings (not in TF-13 format) showing details thatare key to understanding the performance of the device should also be submitted to facilitate ourreview.

***FHWA Official Business Only:***
| Eligibility Letter | AASHTO TF13   | Key Words |
|--------------------|---------------|-----------|
||
| SS-179             | June 17, 2013 | N/A       | Breakaway Slip Base Sign Support |

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| Hori-Zone Concepts LLCGregory R. Brinkmeyer, P.E. | 14417 Chandler Road Taylor, Texas 76574          (512) 217-2580                        E-mail: gregory.brinkmeyer@att.net |
|---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

Mr. Nick Artimovich    FHWA Office of Safety    1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E.    Washington, D.C. 20590

**Centerline Supply Locking Sign Collar Assembly**

Per our conversation yesterday, on behalf of Centerline Supply, I am submitting this request for    Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility of Highway Safety Hardware for the subject component of    a Breakaway Sign Support System.

As you can see from the photos below, the basic slipbase characteristics of this upper triangular    slipbase casting are identical to what is commonly referred to as the "Texas Triangular    Slipbase" (as described in NCHRP Web-Only Document 157 *Volume 1: Evaluation of Existing    Roadside Safety Hardware Using Updated Criteria-Technical Report)*.

The Centerline Supply modification to the basic triangular slipbase design consists of using a    tapered locking collar to secure the 2.875" outside diameter sign support post into the upper    slipbase casting. As you are aware, other approved designs use set bolts installed through the    upper casting wall to make contact with the sign support post. In windy conditions, sign post     using the set bolt design rotate, resulting in sign messages no longer being legible to road    users. The locking action of Centerline Supply Triangular Slipbase Locking Collar assembly    makes surface contact with the entire circumference of the sign support post minimizing the    potential for sign rotation.

The raw material used for this upper casting is 65-45-12 Ductile Cast Iron (ASTM A536). The    assembly weights approximately 11.9 lbs. The three- 5/8" diameter triangular slipbase bolts are    to be tightened to 40 foot-pounds. The two-5/8" diameter locking collar bolts are to be tightened    to 60 foot-pounds.

Attached with this email submission are the detail drawings and the "Request for Federal Aid    Reimbursement Eligibility of Highway Safety Hardware" form.

If you have any questions, please contact me at (512) 217-2580 or gregory.brinkmeyer@att.net.    We appreciate your time and effort in reviewing this submittal.

Sincerely,    /S/    Submitted Electronically    Gregory R. Brinkmeyer, P.E.    Hori-Zone Concepts LLC    Texas Firm Registration Number F-9512