1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

 Washington, D.C. 20590

March 30, 2012

FHWA: HSST: NArtimovicht: sf: x61331:3/27/12

File: s: //directory folder/HSST/Artimovich/SS-134B

cc: HSST (NArtimovich; JDewar) 

In Reply Refer To:

SS-134B

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: Xcessories Squared Redi-Torque Triangular Slip Base 

Top (10 3/8”) with galvanized keeper plate

Type of system: Triangular Slip Base Small Sign Support for Perforated 

Square Steel Tube (PSST) posts

Test Level: NCHRP Report 350 Test Level 3

Testing conducted by:N/A 

Date of request: July 20, 2011

Decision:

The following devices are eligible, with details provided below

• Xcessories Squared Redi-Torque Triangular Slip Base Top (10 3/8”) with galvanized 

keeper plate

Based on a review of the information and calculations submitted by the manufacturer certifying 

the device described herein meets the crashworthiness 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

Roadside safety devices should meet the guidelines 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). 
2

Description

For use in Texas, you requested that the Xcessories Squared triangular slip base upper portion 

(specifically a cast one) and the TX DOT fastener hardware (which includes their galvanized bolt 

keeper plate) be mounted on an existing generic slip base bottom. Since the Xcessories Squared 

cast slip base upper portion has the same geometry as the standard TX DOT cast slip base upper 

portion, you contend crashworthiness would not be affected. TX DOT’s concern was that if they 

installed a system that consisted of an Xcessories Squared slip base bottom, Redi-Torque 

hardware (which includes a Teflon washer), and an Xcessories Squared cast slip base upper 

portion, and it was impacted thus requiring re-installation, that one of their crews might only 

have standard TX DOT fastener hardware on their truck and would use it. They also wanted to 

be able to install an Xcessories Squared cast slip base upper portion and Redi-Torque hardware 

(including Teflon washers) to an existing slip base bottom if a re-installation warranted 

replacement of both. Since both the crash tested TX DOT slip base system and the Xcessories 

Squared slip base (FHWA Letter SS-134, dated May 9, 2006) systems are very similar and have 

similar change in velocity results, breakaway performance should not be affected when using the 

Xcessories Squared triangular slip base upper portion (specifically cast one) and the TX DOT 

fastener hardware (which includes their galvanized bolt keeper plate) on an existing slip base 

bottom. 

Findings

Therefore, the systems described above and detailed in the enclosed drawings are 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 is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the systems 

and does not cover their structural features, nor conformity with the Manual on Uniform 

Traffic Control Devices.

• Any changes that may influence the crashworthiness of the system 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 will be expected to supply potential users with sufficient information on design and 

installation requirements to ensure proper performance.

• You will be 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 crashworthiness requirements of the NCHRP Report 350.

• To prevent misunderstanding by others, this letter of eligibility is designated as number 

SS-134B 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 finding of eligibility is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the candidate 

system, and the FHWA is neither prepared nor required to become involved in issues 

concerning patent law. Patent issues, if any, are to be resolved by the applicant.
3

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: Xcessories Squared Redi-Torque Triangular Slip Base 

Top (10 3/8”) with galvanized keeper plate

Type of system: Triangular Slip Base Small Sign Support for Perforated 

Square Steel Tube (PSST) posts

Test Level: NCHRP Report 350 Test Level 3

Testing conducted by:N/A 

Date of request: July 20, 2011

Decision:

The following devices are eligible, with details provided below

• Xcessories Squared Redi-Torque Triangular Slip Base Top (10 3/8”) with galvanized 

keeper plate

Based on a review of the information and calculations submitted by the manufacturer certifying 

the device described herein meets the crashworthiness 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

Roadside safety devices should meet the guidelines 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

For use in Texas, you requested that the Xcessories Squared triangular slip base upper portion 

(specifically a cast one) and the TX DOT fastener hardware (which includes their galvanized bolt 

keeper plate) be mounted on an existing generic slip base bottom. Since the Xcessories Squared 

cast slip base upper portion has the same geometry as the standard TX DOT cast slip base upper 

portion, you contend crashworthiness would not be affected. TX DOT’s concern was that if they 

installed a system that consisted of an Xcessories Squared slip base bottom, Redi-Torque 

hardware (which includes a Teflon washer), and an Xcessories Squared cast slip base upper 

portion, and it was impacted thus requiring re-installation, that one of their crews might only 

have standard TX DOT fastener hardware on their truck and would use it. They also wanted to 

be able to install an Xcessories Squared cast slip base upper portion and Redi-Torque hardware 

(including Teflon washers) to an existing slip base bottom if a re-installation warranted 

replacement of both. Since both the crash tested TX DOT slip base system and the Xcessories 

Squared slip base (FHWA Letter SS-134, dated May 9, 2006) systems are very similar and have 
4

similar change in velocity results, breakaway performance should not be affected when using the 

Xcessories Squared triangular slip base upper portion (specifically cast one) and the TX DOT 

fastener hardware (which includes their galvanized bolt keeper plate) on an existing slip base 

bottom. 

Findings

Therefore, the systems described above and detailed in the enclosed drawings are 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 is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the systems 

and does not cover their structural features, nor conformity with the Manual on Uniform 

Traffic Control Devices.

• Any changes that may influence the crashworthiness of the system 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 will be expected to supply potential users with sufficient information on design and 

installation requirements to ensure proper performance.

• You will be 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 crashworthiness requirements of the NCHRP Report 350.

• To prevent misunderstanding by others, this letter of eligibility is designated as number 

SS-134B 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 finding of eligibility is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the candidate 

system, and the FHWA is neither prepared nor required to 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
5