1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

 Washington, D.C. 20590

May 4, 2012 

FHWA: HSST: NArtimovicht: ms: x61331:3/13/12: sf. Updated 5/4/12

File: s: //directory folder/HSST/Artimovich/SS-131A.dotx

cc: HSST (NArtimovich; JDewar) 

In Reply Refer To:

HSST/ SS-131A

Greg Kirchgesner

Xcessories Squared

P.O. Box 135

Auburn, Illinois 62615

Dear Mr. Kirchgesner:

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: Kleen Break Sign Post Coupler 

Type of system: Breakaway Small Sign Support for Perforated Square Steel 

Tube (PSST) posts

Test Level: NCHRP Report 350 Test Level 3

Testing conducted by: N/A

Task Force 13 Designator: SSC08a-c

Date of request: June 6, 2011

Decision:

The following device is eligible, with details provided below

• Kleen Break Sign Post Coupler for 2 1⁄4 and 2 1⁄2 inch PSST posts

Based on a review of the information and calculations submitted by the manufacturer 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 of 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). 
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Description

The new coupler hardware would allow the product to accommodate 2-1/4" (14ga or 12 ga) and 

2-1/2" (12ga or 10ga) PSST. The new product configuration would use the same shear bolt 

hardware set, including the breakaway bolt, which was in the original Kleen Break in FHWA 

Letter SS-131 dated December 2, 2005, under NCHRP 350. Since the new design uses the same

shear bolt and has the same breakaway functionality, it will break away at the same energy level 

as the original design. The newer design for the larger size posts uses the same Locking Wedge 

as the original design, so the square tube posts are attached to the top casting in the same manner 

as the original design. The larger square tube would have a slightly larger section modulus than 

the original tested product.

The new parts include a new cast stem base (CKB250-8-G) that fit into a 3" x 7ga square anchor, 

a new cast surface mount base (SMKB4) that will mount to the top of an existing concrete 

surface, a new cast top post receiver (TX225-250-G) which will accept 2-1/4" and 2-1/2" square 

tube (not at the same time), and a larger diameter rubber bushing (RB45-EPDM) to better fit the 

new castings. The new parts do not replace the original parts, but would be offered as an 

additional option to fit the two larger square sign post sizes. All of the new parts have the same 

material specifications as the parts that were originally covered in SS-131.

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. 

Please note the following standard provisions that apply to FHWA eligibility letters:

• This letter provides an 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-131A 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. 
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The FHWA does not become involved in issues concerning patent law. Patent issues, if 

any, are to be resolved by the applicant.

Sincerely yours,

Michael S. Griffith 

Director, Office of Safety Technologies

Office of Safety

Enclosures