[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 76 (Monday, April 21, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19253-19296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9153]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 571

[Docket No. 97-21; Notice 1]
RIN 2127-AG55


Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Metric Conversion

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to revise selected Federal Motor 
Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) by converting English measurements 
specified in those standards to metric measurements. This document 
begins the second phase of several rulemaking actions that NHTSA will 
undertake to implement the Federal policy that the metric system of 
measurement is the preferred system of weights and measures for United 
States trade and commerce. The proposed conversions are not intended to 
make any changes in the stringency of the affected FMVSS.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 20, 1997.

ADDRESSES: All comments should refer to the docket number and notice 
number in the heading of this notice and be submitted, preferably in 
ten copies, to: Docket Section, Room 5109, National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. 
Docket hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Kevin Cavey, National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20590. Mr. Cavey's telephone number is: (202) 366-5271.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Outline of Document

I. Background Information
II. Today's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
    A. Exact Versus Equivalent Conversions
    1. Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings
    2. Standard No. 219, Windshield zone intrusion, and Standard No. 
301, Fuel system integrity
    B. ``Mass'' v. ``Weight''
    C. Force Measurements
    D. Dual Measurements
    E. Leadtime
    F. Other Changes
III. Regulatory Impacts
    A. Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    C. Environmental Impacts
    D. Federalism
    E. Civil Justice Reform
Proposed Regulatory Text

I. Background Information

    Section 5164 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act (Pub. L. 
1 00-418), makes it United States (U.S.) policy that the metric system 
of measurement is the preferred system of weights and measures for 
United States trade and commerce. Through Executive Order 12770, 
Federal agencies are directed to comply with the Act by adopting a 
conversion schedule for their programs by September 30, 1992. In a 
Federal Register document of April 21, 1992 (57 FR 14619), the National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published its plan to use 
the metric system in NHTSA programs, and included an implementation 
schedule to convert the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSSs) 
to metric measurements.
    Using the plan, in the Federal Register of March 15, 1994 (59 FR 
11962), the agency published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to 
convert English system measurements in selected FMVSSs to the metric 
system. In this first round of conversions, the agency selected the 
following FMVSSs for which conversions were simple, and relatively 
straightforward: Standard No. 102, Transmission shift lever sequence, 
starter interlock, and transmission braking effect; Standard No. 103, 
Windshield defrosting and defogging systems; Standard No. 104, 
Windshield wiping and washing systems; Standard No. 107, Reflecting 
surfaces; Standard No. 110, Tire selection and rims; Standard No. 112, 
Headlamp concealment devices; Standard No. 114, Theft protection; 
Standard No. 115, Vehicle identification number--basic requirements; 
Standard No. 120, Tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than 
passenger cars; Standard No. 124, Accelerator control systems; Standard 
No. 126, Truck-camper loading; Standard No. 205, Glazing materials; 
Standard No. 206, Door locks and door retention components; Standard 
No. 207, Seating systems; Standard No. 212, Windshield mounting, and 
Standard No. 216, Roof crush resistance.
    NHTSA reviewed the public comments in response to the NPRM, and 
made certain changes recommended by the commenters. In a final rule of 
March 14, 1995 (60 FR 13639), the agency converted to the metric 
system, English measurements in the above named Federal Motor Vehicle 
Safety Standards (49 CFR 571 et seq.).

[[Page 19254]]

    The final rule discussed principles for NHTSA to follow in 
converting English measurements to the metric system. These principles 
are also applicable to the present rulemaking and are discussed below.

II. Today's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

    In this notice of proposed rulemaking, NHTSA proposes to convert to 
metric measurements, English measurements in the following Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards: Standard No. 101, Controls and 
displays; Standard No. 109, New pneumatic tires; Standard No. 111, 
Rearview mirrors; Standard No. 116, Motor vehicle brake fluids; 
Standard No. 117, Retreaded pneumatic tires; Standard No. 119, New 
pneumatic tires for vehicles other than passenger cars; Standard No. 
123, Motorcycle controls and displays; Standard No. 201, Occupant 
protection in interior impact; Standard No. 202, Head restraints; 
Standard No. 203, Impact protection for the driver from the steering 
control system; Standard No. 204, Steering control rearward 
displacement; Standard No. 209, Seat belt assemblies; Standard No. 210, 
Seat belt assembly anchorages; Standard No. 219, Windshield zone 
intrusion; Standard No. 220, School bus rollover protection; Standard 
No. 222, School bus passenger seating and crash protection; Standard 
No. 301, Fuel system integrity; and Standard No. 302, Flammability of 
interior materials.
    As noted above, NHTSA established principles in converting English 
system measurements to the metric system in the first round of 
metrication. NHTSA intends to metricate the selected FMVSSs according 
to the following principles.

A. Exact Versus Equivalent Conversions

    With respect to the nature of the conversions to be made, the 
agency generally favors the use of equivalent conversions <SUP>1 
because using values stated in integers would facilitate making 
measurements during compliance testing. However, NHTSA will not use 
equivalent conversions where there is a specific safety need or other 
reason to make an exact conversion.
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     <SUP>1 To illustrate equivalent and exact conversions, an 
equivalent conversion of two inches would be 51 millimeters, while 
an exact conversion would be 50.8 millimeters.
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    In the majority of cases, the proposed conversions are equivalent 
conversions. It is the agency's intent that, if made final, these 
equivalent conversions have no substantive effect on specifications or 
requirements in the affected standard. Public comment is sought on 
whether each equivalent conversion would substantively affect the 
regulatory text. If there would be a substantive effect, comment is 
requested on the appropriate exact conversion.
    In certain cases, exact conversions are proposed. Most of the exact 
conversions specify the height of lettering, the minimum depth to which 
the lettering must be impressed, or the maximum height to which it must 
be embossed. In such situations, manufacturers typically have invested 
in molds and other materials that produce lettering of very precise 
sizes. NHTSA does not want the conversion of the required lettering to 
have the effect of requiring manufacturers to have to change molds and 
materials.
    NHTSA also proposes to use exact conversions for certain other 
measurements, to avoid a possibility that the standard would become 
more stringent after the conversion. For each of these proposed 
conversions, the agency seeks comment on whether use of the equivalent, 
rather than the exact conversion, would make a substantive difference:
1. Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWRs)
    NHTSA proposes to convert any references to GVWRs to the exact 
conversion. GVWRs of 10,000 pounds are proposed to be converted to 4536 
kilograms and GVWRs of 6,000 pounds are proposed to be converted to 
2,722 kilograms. NHTSA is aware that some of the Canadian Motor Vehicle 
Safety Standards use the equivalent conversions of 4500 kilograms for 
the 10,000 pound GVWR and 2700 kilograms for the 6000 pound GVWR.
    Such an exact GVWR conversion could affect the applicability of 
some of the FMVSS's to particular vehicles. In the case of standards 
that apply to vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less, rounding 
to 4500 kilograms would affect any vehicles between 4501 and 4536 
kilograms GVWR. Such vehicles may be excluded from FMVSS's that had 
applied to them (e.g., Standards Nos. 201, Occupant protection in 
interior impact, and 203, Impact protection for the driver from the 
steering control system, which apply to vehicles with GVWR's of 10,000 
pounds or less), or be subject to requirements that had previously not 
applied to them (e.g, Standard No. 222, School Bus Passenger Seating 
and Crash Protection which applies to vehicles with GVWR's of more than 
10,000 pounds).
    NHTSA notes that the number of vehicles in the 4501 to 4536 
kilogram or 2700 to 2722 kilogram ranges is likely to be very small. 
NHTSA requests comments on whether to use equivalent conversions or 
exact conversion.
2. Standard No. 219, Windshield Zone Intrusion, and Standard No. 301, 
Fuel System Integrity
    Under the test conditions of S7.7(b) in Standard No. 219, and the 
test conditions of S7.1.6(b) in Standard No. 301, certain tested 
vehicles must be loaded to their unloaded vehicle weight plus 300 
pounds. In this NPRM, the agency proposes to convert 300 pounds to 136 
kilograms, the equivalent conversion. The Canadian standards have 
converted 300 pounds to the equivalent conversion of 140 kilograms. In 
the conversion of 300 pounds, the concern about stringency is 
particularly relevant because the manufacturers' certification testing 
for Standards Nos. 208, Occupant crash protection; 212, Windshield 
mounting; 219, Windshield zone intrusion; and 301, Fuel system 
integrity can be conducted in a single crash test. A slight increase in 
the load required for Standards Nos. 219 and 301 testing (resulting 
from a conversion to 140 kilograms) may necessitate the manufacturers 
conducting a separate crash test for Standard No. 219 and Standard No. 
301 certification. To avoid this situation, the agency proposes to 
convert 300 pounds to the equivalent conversion of 136 kilograms, 
rather than the equivalent conversion of 140 kilograms.

B. ``Mass'' v. ``Weight''

    Kilograms are measures of ``mass,'' not ``weight.'' Thus, in 
instances in which the safety standards use ``weight'' to mean ``mass'' 
in describing compliance testing conditions and procedures, or in other 
instances in which the standards are primarily directed to engineers or 
other technically trained persons, NHTSA proposes to revise ``weight'' 
in the regulatory text to ``mass.'' As an example, in Standard No. 116, 
Motor vehicle brake fluids, a sentence in S6.11.1 states: ``At the end 
of this period, the metal strips are examined for pitting, etching, and 
weight loss.'' NHTSA proposes to amend this sentence to read: ``At the 
end of this period, the metal strips are examined for pitting, etching, 
and loss of mass.''
    However, in instances in which the word ``weight'' is part of a 
term defined at 49 CFR part 571.3, such as ``curb weight,'' ``gross 
axle mass rating,'' or ``unloaded vehicle weight,'' NHTSA is not making 
the change. NHTSA proposes not to adopt terms such as ``curb mass,'' 
``gross axle mass rating,'' or ``unloaded vehicle mass.'' NHTSA

[[Page 19255]]

will consider amending terms that use ``weight'' in future rulemakings 
to metrify the safety standards.
    While NHTSA is considering changing references in the FMVSSs from 
``weight'' to ``mass'', it is also concerned about the effect of such a 
change. For example, NHTSA is still uncertain whether the general 
public would be confused by use of the phrase ``Camper mass is ________ 
kg'' rather than ``Camper weight'' specified in Standard No. 126. In 
addition, States use terms such as gross vehicle ``weight'' rating as 
the basis for determining which vehicle registration fees, driver's 
licensing requirements, and restrictions on use of roads are applicable 
to particular vehicles. Before making a change from ``weight'' to 
``mass,'' NHTSA wants to obtain public comment on each of the proposed 
changes.

C. Force Measurements

    Standard No. 220 and Standard No. 222 establish strength 
requirements for school bus rollover and for school bus passenger 
seating, respectively. Standard No. 220 requires that a school bus roof 
withstand a force equal to 1\1/2\ times the vehicle weight applied to 
the roof. Standard No. 222 specifies in part that school bus passenger 
seats be equipped with cushions that will not separate from the seat at 
any attachment point when subjected to an upward force of five times 
the seat cushion weight. When using units of English measurement, both 
weight and force are expressed in pounds. However, the metric system 
expresses mass in kilograms and force in Newtons. Thus, in converting 
forces to the metric system, there is no simple one-to-one conversion 
when calculating the force that should be applied. Instead, persons 
conducting tests will need to measure the weight of the seat or vehicle 
mass in kilograms and multiply each figure by 9.8 m/s<SUP>2 to convert 
the figure to Newtons.
    In making the metric conversion of the force measurements in 
Standard No. 220 and Standard No. 222, NHTSA proposes to specify the 
steps of the conversion in the regulatory language, to minimize the 
chance of the wrong metric system conversion being made. Specifically, 
for Standard No. 220, NHTSA proposes to amend the force measurement 
language (in S4.) to provide that the roof of the vehicle's body 
structure shall be subjected to a force in Newtons equal to 1\1/2\ 
times the unloaded vehicle weight, measured in kilograms and multiplied 
by 9.8 m/s<SUP>2. For Standard No. 222, NHTSA proposes to amend the 
force measurement language (in S5.1.5) to provide that the seat cushion 
shall not separate from the seat at any attachment point when subjected 
to an upward force in Newtons of 5 times the mass of the seat cushion 
in kilograms and multiplied by 9.8 m/s<SUP>2. Comment is sought on this 
proposal to specify the calculation of the metric force measurement for 
Standards Nos. 220 and 222.

D. Dual Measurements

    NHTSA also seeks comment on proposed metric conversions of certain 
tables. When converting the FMVSSs to the metric system, the agency 
believes that some tables incorporating metric measurements would not 
be very informative to American mirror or tire manufacturers and 
retreaders, many of which may be more familiar with English 
measurements. Therefore, in the case of the mirror and tire standards, 
it is proposed that the tables and regulatory text provide both the 
English and metric systems of measurement. Specifically, in Standard 
No. 111, Rearview mirrors, NHTSA proposes to provide both English and 
metric measurements for radii of curvature specified in Table I--
``Conversion Table from Spherometer Dial Reading to Radius of 
Curvature''. In Standard No. 117, Retreaded pneumatic tires, NHTSA 
proposes to include both p.s.i. and kPa measurements in Table I--
``Plies''. In Standard No. 119, New pneumatic tires for vehicles other 
than passenger cars, NHTSA proposes to provide both English and metric 
measurements in Table I--``Strength Test Plunger Diameter'', Table II--
``Minimum Static Breaking Energy'', and Table III--``Endurance Test 
Schedule''.
    If the proposed use of dual measurements is adopted as final, the 
agency anticipates, at some future date, phasing out the English units 
of measurement. Public comment is sought generally on this proposal to 
use dual measurements for the specified tables and on the period of 
time after which the English units of measurements should be phased 
out.

E. Lead Time

    NHTSA proposes that if made final, the changes proposed in this 
NPRM take effect one year after the publication of the final rule, with 
manufacturers given the option to comply immediately with the new 
measurements. NHTSA believes one year is enough lead time for industry 
to make any necessary changes. NHTSA has consistently stated that it is 
not the agency's intent to impose unnecessary costs to manufacturers as 
a result of the metrication process. NHTSA is aware that if some of the 
proposed changes in the tire standards, were made final, tire mold 
manufacturers would have to change molds to accommodate the new metric/
English measurements. Changing tire molds to accommodate labeling with 
metric measurements where it is not specified may result in 
manufacturers incurring significant costs unless sufficient lead time 
is given so that changes could be made when molds are changed. NHTSA 
seeks comment on the amount of lead time tire manufacturers should be 
given so that they could meet any changes that may result if this NPRM 
were made final. NHTSA specifically asks whether one year is enough 
lead time to permit tire manufacturers to purchase new molds that would 
meet the metricated standard, if made final.

F. Other Changes

1. Standard No. 207, Seating Systems
    As earlier noted, in the final rule of March 14, 1995, NHTSA 
converted English measurements in Standard No. 207 to the metric 
system. Subsequently, it was discovered that the conversion resulted in 
typographical errors in S5.1.2 (part of the section on test 
procedures), so that the part of the ``seat'' to which force is applied 
was no longer specific. In this NPRM, NHTSA proposes to correct the 
second sentence of S5.1.2. to read: ``Apply forces, in Newtons, equal 
to 20 times the mass of the seat back in kilograms multiplied by 9.8 m/
s<SUP>2 horizontally through the center of gravity of the seat back, as 
shown in Figure 2 and apply forces, in Newtons, equal to 20 times the 
mass of the seat bench in kilograms multiplied by 9.8 m/s<SUP>2 
horizontally through the center of gravity of the seat bench, as shown 
in Figure 3.''
2. Standard No. 210, Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages
    NHTSA also proposes to correct an error in the figures for Standard 
No. 210. Specifically, Figure 2, ``Body Block for Lap Belt Anchorage'' 
should have been removed when Figures 2A and 2B were added to the 
standard (See 55 FR 17984, April 30, 1990). NHTSA notes that since 
Figure 2 and Figure 2A are technically equivalent, the duplication of 
the two figures did not create conflicting requirements in Standard No. 
210.
3. Removing Outdated Language
    NHTSA further proposes to remove outdated language in Standard No. 
204 and Standard No. 210. Specifically, in Standard No. 204, Steering 
control rearward displacement, NHTSA proposes to remove S4.1, that 
refers to

[[Page 19256]]

vehicles manufactured before September 1, 1991. In Standard No. 210, 
Seat belt assembly anchorages, NHTSA proposes to remove S4.3.1.5, that 
refers to vehicles manufactured between September 1, 1992 and September 
1, 1993.

III. Regulatory Impacts

A. Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    NHTSA has examined the impact of this rulemaking action under E.O. 
12866 and the Department of Transportation's regulatory policies and 
procedures. This rulemaking document was not reviewed under E. O. 
12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review.'' This action has been 
determined to be not ``significant'' under DOT's regulatory policies 
and procedures. In converting the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standards from the English to the metric measurement system, the agency 
proposes conversions that would not substantively change the 
performance requirements of the FMVSS's. If this rule is made final, 
manufacturers now providing consumer information (e.g., labeling) may 
incur minimal additional costs since they would have to change their 
information to add the metric units. However, the agency believes 
additional costs would be minuscule, since manufacturers currently 
label and provide consumer information in English units. The impacts of 
this action would be so minor that a full regulatory evaluation for 
this proposed rule has not been prepared.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The agency has also considered the effects of this rulemaking 
action under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). I 
certify that this proposed rule would not, if promulgated, have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
The rationale for this certification is that no substantive change 
resulting from converting the FMVSS from the English system to the 
metric system will be made to the performance requirements of any of 
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Manufacturers that qualify 
as small businesses that do not now label their products in metric 
units or provide consumer information in metric units would incur some 
costs to include metric labeling. However, the agency believes such 
costs would be minimal, given these manufacturers are currently 
labeling and providing the consumer information in English units.

C. Environmental Impacts

    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 
the agency has considered the environmental impacts of this proposed 
rule and determined that, if adopted as a final rule, it would not have 
a significant impact on the quality of the human environment.

D. Federalism

    This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has been determined 
that the proposed rulemaking does not have sufficient federalism 
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

E. Civil Justice Reform

    This proposed rule would not have a retroactive effect. Under 
Section 103(d) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (15 
U.S.C. 1392(d)), whenever a Federal motor vehicle safety standard is in 
effect, a state may not adopt or maintain a safety standard applicable 
to the same aspect of performance which is not identical to the Federal 
standard. Section 105 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 1394) sets forth a 
procedure for judicial review of final rules establishing, amending or 
revoking Federal motor vehicle safety standards. That section does not 
require submission of a petition for reconsideration or other 
administrative proceedings before parties may file suit in court.

Public Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the proposal. 
It is requested, but not required, that 10 copies be submitted.
    All comments must not exceed 15 pages in length. (49 CFR 553.21). 
Necessary attachments may be appended to these submissions without 
regard to the 15-page limit. This limitation is intended to encourage 
commenters to detail their primary arguments in a concise fashion.
    If a commenter wishes to submit certain information under a claim 
of confidentiality, three copies of a complete submission, including 
purportedly confidential business information, should be submitted to 
the Chief Counsel, NHTSA, at the street address given above, and seven 
copies from which the purportedly confidential information has been 
deleted should be submitted to the Docket Section. A request for 
confidentiality should be accompanied by a cover letter setting forth 
the information specified in the agency's confidential business 
information regulation. 49 CFR part 512.
    All comments received before the close of business on the comment 
closing date indicated above for the proposal will be considered, and 
will be available for examination in the docket at the above address 
both before and after that date. To the extent possible, comments filed 
after the closing date will also be considered. Comments received too 
late for consideration in regard to the final rule will be considered 
as suggestions for further rulemaking action. Comments on the proposal 
will be available for inspection in the docket. The NHTSA will continue 
to file relevant information as it becomes available in the docket 
after the closing date, and it is recommended that interested persons 
continue to examine the docket for new material.
    Those persons desiring to be notified upon receipt of their 
comments in the rules docket should enclose a self-addressed, stamped 
postcard in the envelope with their comments. Upon receiving the 
comments, the docket supervisor will return the postcard by mail.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 571

    Imports, Motor vehicle safety, Motor vehicles, Rubber and rubber 
products, Tires.

    In consideration of the foregoing, it is proposed that the Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (49 CFR Part 571), be amended as set 
forth below.

PART 571--FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS

    1. The authority citation for part 571 would continue to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, and 30166; 
delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.
    2. Section 571.101 would be amended by revising S5(a) and revising 
S5.3.5 to read as follows:


Sec. 571.101  Standard No. 101; Controls and displays.

* * * * *
    S5. Requirements. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this 
section, each passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck and 
bus manufactured with any control listed in S5.1 or in column 1 of 
Table 1, and each passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle and 
truck or bus less than 4,536 kg GVWR with any display listed in S5.1 or 
in column 1 of Table 2 shall meet the requirements of this standard for 
the location, identification,

[[Page 19257]]

and illumination of such control or display.
* * * * *
    S5.3.5  Any source of illumination within the passenger compartment 
which is forward of a transverse vertical plane 110 mm rearward of the 
mannikin ``H'' point with the driver's seat in its rearmost driving 
position, which is not used for the controls and displays regulated by 
this standard, which is not a telltale, and which is capable of being 
illuminated while the vehicle is in motion, shall have either (1) light 
intensity which is manually or automatically adjustable to provide at 
least two levels of brightness, (2) a single intensity that is barely 
discernible to a driver who has adapted to dark ambient roadway 
conditions, or (3) a means of being turned off. This requirement does 
not apply to buses that are normally operated with the passenger 
compartment illuminated.
* * * * *
    3. Section 571.101 would be amended by revising Table 2 at the end 
of S6 and following Table 1(a) to read as follows:

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
      

[[Page 19258]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21AP97.000



BILLING CODE 4910-59-C

[[Page 19259]]

    4. Section 571.109 would be amended by revising in S4.2.1, 
paragraph (d); revising S4.2.2.3.1; revising S4.2.2.3.2; revising the 
first sentence of S4.3 Labeling Requirements introductory paragraph; 
revising the first sentence of S4.3.5; revising S5.2.2.1; revising 
S5.3.2.1; revising S5.3.2.3; revising S5.4.1.2; revising S5.4.2.1; 
revising S5.4.2.2; revising S5.4.2.3; revising S5.5.2; revising S5.5.3; 
and revising S5.5.4 to read as follows:


Sec. 571.109  Standard No. 109; New pneumatic tires.

* * * * *
    S4.2.1  General. Each tire shall conform to each of the following:
* * * * *
    (d) It shall incorporate a tread wear indicator that will provide a 
visual indication that the tire has worn to a tread depth of 2 mm (1/16 
inch).
* * * * *
    S4.2.2.3  Tubeless tire resistance to bead unseating.
    S4.2.2.3.1  When a tubeless tire that has a maximum inflation 
pressure other than 414 kPa (60 psi) is tested in accordance with S5.2, 
the applied force required to unseat the tire bead at the point of 
contact shall be not less than:
    (a) 6,672 N (1,500 pounds) for tires with a designated section 
width of less than 152 mm (6 inches);
    (b) 8,896 N (2,000 pounds) for tires with a designated section 
width of 152 mm (6 inches) or more but less than 203 mm (8 inches);
    (c) 11,120 N (2,500 pounds) for tires with a designated section 
width of 203 mm (8 inches) or more, using the section width specified 
in a submission made by an individual manufacturer, pursuant to 
S4.4.1(a), or in one of the publications described in S4.4.1(b) for the 
applicable tire size designation and type.
    S4.2.2.3.2  When a tire that has a maximum inflation pressure of 
414 kPa (60 psi) is tested in accordance with S5.2, the applied force 
required to unseat the bead at the point of contact shall be not less 
than:
    (a) 6,672 N (1,500 pounds) for tires with a maximum load rating of 
less than 399 kg (880 pounds);
    (b) 8,896 N (2,000 pounds) for tires with a maximum load rating of 
399 kg (880 pounds) or more but less than 635 kg (1,400 pounds);
    (c) 11,120 N (2,500 pounds) for tires with a maximum load rating of 
635 kg (1,400 pounds) or more, using the maximum load rating marked on 
the sidewall of the tire.
* * * * *
    S4.3  Labeling Requirements. Except as provided in S4.3.1 and 
S4.3.2, each tire shall have permanently molded into or onto both 
sidewalls, in letters and numerals not less than 2 mm (0.078 inches) 
high, the information shown in paragraphs S4.3 (a) and (g). * * *
* * * * *
    S4.3.5  If the maximum inflation pressure of a tire is 414 kPa (60 
psi), the tire shall have permanently molded into or onto both 
sidewalls, in letters and numerals not less than 13 mm (\1/2\ inch), 
the words ``Inflate to 60 psi'' or ``Inflate to 414 kPa (60 psi)''. * * 
*
* * * * *
    S5.2.2  Test procedure.
    S5.2.2.1  Apply a load through the block to the tire outer sidewall 
at the distance specified in Figure 1 for the applicable wheel size at 
a rate of 51 mm (2 inches) per minute, with the load arm substantially 
parallel to the tire and rim assembly at the time of engagement.
* * * * *
    S5.3.2  Test procedure.
    S5.3.2.1  Force a 19 mm (\3/4\ inch) diameter cylindrical steel 
plunger with a hemispherical end perpendicularly into the tread rib as 
near to the centerline as possible, avoiding penetration into the tread 
groove, at the rate of 51 mm (2 inches) per minute.
* * * * *
    S5.3.2.3  Compute the breaking energy for each test point by means 
of one of the two following formulas:

W = [(F  x  P)/2]  x  10<SUP>3 (Joules)

Where

W = Energy, in Joules;
F = Force, Newtons; and
P = Penetration, mm; or
W = [(F  x  P)/2]

Where

W = Energy, inch-pounds;
F = Force, pounds; and
P = Penetration, inches.
* * * * *
    S5.4.1.2  Condition the tire assembly to 38 deg.<plus-minus>2 deg. 
C (100 deg.<plus-minus>5 deg. F) for at least three hours.
* * * * *
    S5.4.2.1  Mount the tire and wheel assembly on a test axle and 
press it against a flat-faced steel test wheel 1708 mm (67.23 inches) 
in diameter and at least as wide as the section width of the tire to be 
tested or an approved equivalent test wheel, with the applicable test 
load specified in the table in S5.4.2.3 for the tire's size 
designation, type and maximum permissible inflation pressure.
    S5.4.2.2  During the test, the air surrounding the test area shall 
be 38 deg.<plus-minus>2 deg. C (100 deg.<plus-minus>5 deg. F).
    S5.4.2.3  Conduct the test at 80 kilometers per hour (km/h)(50 
miles per hour) in accordance with the following schedule without 
pressure adjustment or other interruptions:
    The loads for the following periods are the specified percentage of 
the maximum load rating marked on the tire sidewall:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Percent 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 hours......................................................         85
6 hours......................................................         90
24 hours.....................................................        100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    S5.5  High speed performance.
* * * * *
    S5.5.2  Break in the tire by running it for 2 hours at 80 km/h (50 
mph).
    S5.5.3  Allow to cool to 38 deg.<plus-minus>2 deg. C 
(100 deg.<plus-minus>5 deg. F) and readjust the inflation pressure to 
the applicable pressure specified in Table II.
    S5.5.4  Without readjusting inflation pressure, test at 121 km/h 
(75 mph) for 30 minutes, 129 km/h (80 mph) for 30 minutes, and 137 km/h 
(85 mph) for 30 minutes.
* * * * *
    5. In Sec. 571.109, Figure 1--``Bead Unseating Fixture--Dimensions 
in Inches'', the Table titled ``Figures for Standard No. 109,'' Figure 
2--``Diagram of Beat Unseating Block Dimensions in Inches'', and Figure 
2A--``Diagram of Bead Unseating Block--Dimensions in Inches'' after S6, 
and preceding Appendix A, would be revised to read as follows:

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P

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[[Page 19261]]

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[[Page 19262]]

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BILLING CODE 4910-59-C

[[Page 19263]]

(Accompanies Figure 1)

                                                                Figures for Standard 109                                                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Dimension ``A'' for tires with maximum inflation pressure                             
            Wheel sizes            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Other than 60 psi                Other than 414 kPa                     60 psi                    414kPa     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 inches.........................  13.00 in.......................  330 mm.........................  12.00 in.......................  305 mm           
18 inches.........................  12.50 in.......................  318 mm.........................  11.40 in.......................  290 mm           
17 inches.........................  12.00 in.......................  305 mm.........................  10.60 in.......................  269 mm           
16 inches.........................  11.50 in.......................  292 mm.........................  9.90 in........................  251 mm           
15 inches.........................  11.00 in.......................  279 mm.........................  9.40 in........................  239 mm           
14 inches.........................  10.50 in.......................  267 mm.........................  8.90 in........................  226 mm           
13 inches.........................  10.00 in.......................  254 mm.........................  8.40 in........................  213 mm           
12 inches.........................   9.50 in.......................  241 mm.........................  ...............................  .................
11 inches.........................   9.00 in.......................  229 mm.........................  ...............................  .................
10 inches.........................   8.50 in.......................  216 mm.........................  ...............................  .................
320 mm............................   8.50 in.......................  216 mm.........................  ...............................  .................
340 mm............................   9.00 in.......................  229 mm.........................  ...............................  .................
345 mm............................   9.25 in.......................  235 mm.........................  ...............................  .................
365 mm............................   9.75 in.......................  248 mm.........................  ...............................  .................
370 mm............................  10.00 in.......................  254 mm.........................  ...............................  .................
390 mm............................  11.00 in.......................  279 mm.........................  ...............................  .................
415 mm............................  11.50 in.......................  292 mm.........................  ...............................  .................
400 mm\1\.........................  10.25 in.......................  260 mm.........................  ...............................  .................
425 mm\1\.........................  10.75 in.......................  273 mm.........................  ...............................  .................
450 mm\1\.........................  11.25 in.......................  286 mm.........................  ...............................  .................
475 mm\1\.........................  11.75 in.......................  298 mm.........................  ...............................  .................
500 mm\1\.........................  12.25 in.......................  311 mm.........................  ...............................  .................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For CT Tires only.                                                                                                                                  

    6. In Sec. 571.109, in Appendix A, Table 1-A--``For Bias Ply Tires 
with Designated Section Width of 6 Inches and Above'', Table 1-B ``For 
Bias Ply Tires with Designated Section Width Below 6 Inches'', Table 1-
C ``For Radial Ply Tires'', Table 1-D ``For Tires with 60 lb/in\2\ 
Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure and Maximum Load Rating Below 
880 Lb. And Above'', 2nd Table 1-E ``For Tires With 60 lb/in\2\ Maximum 
Permissible Inflation Pressure and Maximum Load Rating Below 880 
Lb'',would be revised to read as follows:

Appendix A--Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109

* * * * *

                              TABLE I-A.--For Bias Ply Tires With Designated Section Width of 152 mm (6 Inches) and Above                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Cord material                             32 psi       36 psi       40 psi      240 kPa      280 kPa      300 kPa      340 kPA  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rayon (in-lbs)...............................................        1,650        2,574        3,300        1,650        3,300        1,650        3,300
(Joules).....................................................          186          291          373          186          373          186          373
Nylon or polyester (in-lbs)..................................        2,600        3,900        5,200        2,600        5,200        2,600        5,200
(Joules).....................................................          294          441          588          294          588          294          588
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                  Table I-B.--For Bias Ply Tires With Designated Section Width Below 152 mm (6 Inches)                                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Cord material                             32 psi       36 psi       40 psi      240 kPa      280 kPa      300 kPa      340 kPA  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rayon (in-lbs)...............................................        1,000        1,875        2,500        1,000        2,500        1,000        2,500
(Joules).....................................................          113          212          282          113          282          113          282
Nylon or polyester (in-lbs)..................................        1,950        2,925        3,900        1,950        3,900        1,950        3,900
(Joules).....................................................          220          330          441          220          441          220          441
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                            Table I-C.--For Radial Ply Tires                                                            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Maximum permissible inflation                                      
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Tires other than CT tires                                     CT Tires             
              Size designation               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         PSI                                 kPa                                      kPa               
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 32       36       40      240      280      300      340      350      290      330      350      390  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below 160 mm (in-lbs).......................    1,950    2,925    3,900    1,950    3,900    1,950    3,900    1,950    1,950    3,900    1,950    3,900
(Joules)....................................      220      330      441      220      441      220      441      220      220      441      220      441
160 mm or above (in-lbs)....................    2,600    3,900    5,200    2,600    5,200    2,600    5,200    2,600    2,600    5,200    2,600    5,200
(Joules)....................................      294      441      588      294      588      294      588      294      294      588      294      588
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 19264]]


Table I-D--For Tires With 414 kPa (60 PSI) Maximum Permissible Inflation
       Pressure and Maximum Load Rating 399 kg (880 lb) and Above       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Cord material                   Inch-pounds  Joules (J)  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rayon.....................................  1,650 inch pounds.          
                                            186 Joules (J).             
Nylon or Polyester........................  2,600 inch pounds.          
                                            294 Joules (J).             
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Table I-E--For Tires With 414 kPa (60 PSI) Maximum Permissible Inflation
         Pressure and Maximum Load Rating Below 399 kg (880 lb)         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Cord material                   Inch-pounds  Joules (J)  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rayon.....................................  1,000 inch pounds.          
                                            113 Joules (J).             
Nylon or Polyester........................  1,950 inch pounds.          
                                            220 Joules (J).             
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    7. Sec. 571.111 would be amended by revising S5.1.1; revising 
S5.1.2; revising S5.2.1; revising S5.4.2; revising S5.4.3; revising 
S6.1; revising S7.1; revising S8.1; revising S9.2; revising S9.3; 
revising S10.1; revising S12.2; revising S12.3; revising S12.4; and 
revising S13.2 to read as follows:


Sec. 571.111  Standard No. 111; Rearview mirrors.

* * * * *
    S5.1.1  Field of view. Except as provided in S5.3, the mirror shall 
provide a field of view with an included horizontal angle measured from 
the projected eye point of at least 20 degrees, and sufficient vertical 
angle to provide a view of a level road surface extending to the 
horizon beginning at a point not greater than 61 m to the rear of the 
vehicle when the vehicle is occupied by the driver and four passengers 
or the designated occupant capacity, if less, based on an average 
occupant weight of 68 kg. The line of sight may be partially obscured 
by seated occupants or by head restraints. The location of the driver's 
eye reference points shall be those established in Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard No. 104 (Sec. 571.104) or a nominal location appropriate for 
any 95th percentile male driver.
    S5.1.2  Mounting. The mirror mounting shall provide a stable 
support for the mirror, and shall provide for mirror adjustment by 
tilting in both the horizontal and vertical directions. If the mirror 
is in the head impact area, the mounting shall deflect, collapse or 
break away without leaving sharp edges when the reflective surface of 
the mirror is subjected to a force of 400 N in any forward direction 
that is not more than 45 deg. from the forward longitudinal direction.
    S5.2  Outside rearview mirror--driver's side.
    S5.2.1  Field of view. Each passenger car shall have an outside 
mirror of unit magnification. The mirror shall provide the driver a 
view of a level road surface extending to the horizon from a line, 
perpendicular to a longitudinal plane tangent to the driver's side of 
the vehicle at the widest point, extending 2.4 m out from the tangent 
plane 10.7 m behind the driver's eyes, with the seat in the rearmost 
position. The line of sight may be partially obscured by rear body or 
fender contours. The location of the driver's eye reference points 
shall be those established in Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 104 
(Sec. 571.104) or a nominal location appropriate for any 95th 
percentile male driver.
* * * * *
    S5.4.2  Each convex mirror shall have permanently and indelibly 
marked at the lower edge of the mirror's reflective surface, in letters 
not less than 4.8 mm nor more than 6.4 mm high the words ``Objects in 
Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear.''
    S5.4.3  The average radius of curvature of each such mirror, as 
determined by using the procedure in S12., shall be not less than 889 
mm and not more than 1,651 mm.
    S6. Requirements for multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and 
buses, other than school buses, with GVWR of 4,536 kg or less.
    S6.1  Each multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck and bus, other 
than a school bus, with a GVWR of 4,536 kg or less shall have either--
--
    (a) Mirrors that conform to the requirements of S5.; or
    (b) Outside mirrors of unit magnification, each with not less than 
12581 mm\2\ of reflective surface, installed with stable supports on 
both sides of the vehicle, located so as to provide the driver a view 
to the rear along both sides of the vehicle, and adjustable in both the 
horizontal and vertical directions to view the rearward scene.
    S7. Requirements for multipurpose passenger vehicles and trucks 
with a GVWR of more than 4,536 and less than 11,340 kg and buses, other 
than school buses, with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kg.
    S7.1  Each multipurpose passenger vehicle and truck with a GVWR of 
more than 4,536 kg and less than 11,340 kg and each bus, other than a 
school bus, with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kg shall have outside 
mirrors of unit magnification, each with not less than 32260 mm\2\ of 
reflective surface, installed with stable supports on both sides of the 
vehicle. The mirrors shall be located so as to provide the driver a 
view to the rear along both sides of the vehicle and shall be 
adjustable both in the horizontal and vertical directions to view the 
rearward scene.
    S8. Requirements for multipurpose passenger vehicles and trucks 
with a GVWR of 11,340 kg or more.
    S8.1  Each multipurpose passenger vehicle and truck with a GVWR of 
11,340 kg or more shall have outside mirrors of unit magnification, 
each with not less than 32260 mm\2\ of reflective surface, installed 
with stable supports on both sides of the vehicle. The mirrors shall be 
located so as to provide the driver a view to the rear along both sides 
of the vehicle and shall be adjustable both in the horizontal and

[[Page 19265]]

vertical directions to view the rearward scene.
    S9. Requirements for School Buses. * * *
* * * * *
    S9.2  System A shall be located with stable supports so that the 
portion of the system on the bus's left side, and the portion on its 
right side, each:
    (a) Includes at least one mirror of unit magnification with not 
less than 32260 mm<SUP>2 of reflective surface; and
    (b) Includes one or more mirrors which together provide, at the 
driver's eye location, a view of:
    (1) For the mirror system on the right side of the bus, the entire 
top surface of cylinder N in Figure 2, and of that area of the ground 
which extends rearward from the mirror surface not less than 61 meters.
    (2) For the mirror system on the left side of the bus, the entire 
top surface of cylinder M in Figure 2, and of that area of the ground 
which extends rearward from the mirror surface not less than 61 meters.
    S9.3(a) For each of the cylinders A though P whose entire top 
surface is not directly visible from the driver's eye location, System 
B shall provide, at that location:
    (1) A view of the entire top surface of that cylinder.
    (2) A view of the ground that overlaps with the view of the ground 
provided by System A.
    (b) Each mirror installed in compliance with S9.3(a) shall meet the 
following requirements:
    (1) Each mirror shall have a projected area of at least 25800 
mm<SUP>2, as measured on a plane at a right angle to the mirror's axis.
    (2) Each mirror shall be located such that the distance from the 
center point of the eye location of a 25th percentile adult female 
seated in the driver's seat to the center of the mirror shall be at 
least 9525 mm<SUP>2.
    (3) Each mirror shall have no discontinuities in the slope of the 
surface of the mirror.
    (4) Each mirror shall be installed with a stable support.
    (c) Each school bus which has a mirror installed in compliance with 
S9.3(a) that has an average radius of curvature of less than 889 mm, as 
determined under S12, shall have a label visible to the seated driver. 
The label shall be printed in a type face and color that are clear and 
conspicuous. The label shall state the following:

USE CROSS VIEW MIRRORS TO VIEW PEDESTRIANS WHILE BUS IS STOPPED. DO 
NOT USE THESE MIRRORS TO VIEW TRAFFIC WHILE BUS IS MOVING. IMAGES IN 
SUCH MIRRORS DO NOT ACCURATELY SHOW ANOTHER VEHICLE'S LOCATION
* * * * *
    S10. Requirements for motorcycles.
    S10.1  Each motorcycle shall have either a mirror of unit 
magnification with not less than 8065 mm\2\ of reflective surface, or a 
convex mirror with not less than 6450 mm\2\ of reflective surface and 
an average radius of curvature not less than 508 mm and not greater 
than 1524 mm, installed with a stable support, and mounted so that the 
horizontal center of the reflective surface is at least 279 mm outward 
of the longitudinal centerline of the motorcycle. The mirror shall be 
adjustable by tilting in both the horizontal and vertical directions.
* * * * *
    S12. Determination of radius of curvature.
* * * * *
    S12.2  The 3-point linear spherometer has two outer fixed legs 38 
mm apart and one inner movable leg at the midpoint. The spherometer has 
a dial indicator with a scale that can be read accurately to .0025 mm, 
with the zero reading being a flat surface.
    S12.3  The 10 test positions on the image display consist of two 
positions at right angles to each other at each of five locations as 
shown in Figure 1. The locations are at the center of the mirror, at 
the left and right ends of a horizontal line that bisects the mirror 
and at the top and bottom ends of a vertical line that bisects the 
mirror. None of the readings are within a 6.4 mm border on the edge of 
the image display.
    S12.4  At each position, the spherometer is held perpendicular to 
the convex mirror-surface and a record is made of the reading on the 
dial indicator to the nearest .0025 mm.
* * * * *
    S13.2  The cylinders are 0.3048 meters (m) high and 0.3048 meters 
(m) in diameter, except for cylinder P which is 0.9144 meters (m) high 
and 0.3048 meters (m) in diameter.
* * * * *
    8. In Sec. 571.111, Table I-``Conversion Table from Spherometer 
Dial Reading to Radius of Curvature'', following Figure 1 in S12.8, 
would be revised to read as follows:

  Table I.--Conversion Table From Spherometer Dial Reading to Radius of 
                                Curvature                               
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Radius of  Radius of
                   Dial reading                     curvature  curvature
                                                     (inches)     (mm)  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
.00330............................................       85.2     2164.1
.00350............................................       80.4     2042.2
.00374............................................       75.2     1910.1
.00402............................................       70.0     1778.0
.00416............................................       67.6     1717.0
.00432............................................       65.1     1653.5
.00450............................................       62.5     1587.5
.00468............................................       60.1     1526.5
.00476............................................       59.1     1501.1
.00484............................................       58.1     1475.7
.00492............................................       57.2     1452.9
.00502............................................       56.0     1422.4
.00512............................................       54.9     1394.5
.00522............................................       53.8     1369.1
.00536............................................       55.5     1333.5
.00544............................................       51.7     1313.2
.00554............................................       50.8     1290.3
.00566............................................       49.7     1262.4
.00580............................................       48.5     1231.9
.00592............................................       47.5     1206.5
.00606............................................       46.4     1178.6
.00622............................................       45.2     1148.1
.00636............................................       44.2     1122.7
.00654............................................       43.0     1092.2
.00668............................................       42.1     1069.3
.00686............................................       41.0     1041.1
.00694............................................       40.5     1028.7
.00720............................................       39.1      993.1
.00740............................................       38.0      965.2
.00760............................................       37.0      939.8
.00780............................................       36.1      916.9
.00802............................................       35.1      891.5
.00922............................................       34.2      868.7
.00850............................................       33.1      840.7
.00878............................................       32.0      812.8
.00906............................................       31.0      787.4
.00922............................................       30.5      774.7
.00938............................................       30.0      762.0
.00960............................................       29.3      744.2
.00980............................................       28.7      728.9
.01004............................................       28.0      711.2
.01022............................................       27.5      698.5
.01042............................................       27.0      685.8
.01060............................................       26.5      673.1
.01080............................................       26.0      660.4
.01110............................................       25.3      642.6
.01130............................................       24.9      632.5
.01170............................................       24.0      609.6
.01200............................................       23.4      594.4
.01240............................................       22.7      576.6
.01280............................................       22.0      558.8
.01310............................................       21.5      546.1
.01360............................................       20.7      525.8
.01400............................................       20.1      510.5
.01430............................................       19.1      500.4
.01460............................................       19.0      482.6
.01540............................................       18.3      464.8
.01570............................................       17.9      454.7
.01610............................................       17.5      444.5
.01650............................................       17.1      434.3
.01700............................................       16.6      421.6
.01750............................................       16.1      408.9
.01800............................................       15.6      396.2
.01860............................................       15.1      383.5
.01910............................................       14.7      373.4
.01980............................................       14.2      360.7
.02040............................................       13.8      350.5
.02100............................................       13.4      340.4
.02160............................................       13.0      330.2

[[Page 19266]]

                                                                        
.02250............................................       12.5      317.5
.02340............................................       12.0      304.8
.02450............................................       11.5      292.1
.02560............................................       11.2      279.4
.02680............................................       10.5      266.7
.02810............................................       10.0      254.0
.02960............................................        9.5      241.3
.03130............................................        9.0      228.6
.03310............................................        8.5      215.9
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    9. In Sec. 571.111, Figure 2 ``Location of Test Cylinders for 
School Bus Field-of-View Test'', after S13.3(g), would be revised to 
read as follows:

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
      

[[Page 19267]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21AP97.004



BILLING CODE 4910-59-C

[[Page 19268]]

    10. Section 571.116 would be amended by revising S5.1.3; revising 
S5.2.1; revising in S5.2.2.2, the introductory paragraph and paragraph 
(g)(4); revising in S5.2.2.3, the introductory paragraph, paragraph (d) 
and paragraph (e)(4); revising S6.3; revising in S6.6.6, paragraph (a); 
revising S6.8.3; revising in S6.10.3, paragraph (a); revising S6.11.1; 
revising S6.11.6; revising, in S6.13.2, paragraph (b); revising in 
S6.13.3, paragraph (b), revising in S6.13.4, paragraph (c)(1); revising 
S7.4.2; and revising in S7.5.1, paragraph (b), to read as follows:


Sec. 571.110  Standard No. 116; Motor vehicle brake fluids.

* * * * *
    S5.1.3. Kinematic viscosities. When brake fluid is tested according 
to S6.3, the kinematic viscosities in square millimeters per second at 
stated temperatures shall be neither less than 1.5 mm\2\/s at 100 deg. 
C. (212 deg. F.) nor more than the following maximum value for the 
grade indicated:
    (a) DOT 3: 1,500 mm\2\/s at minus 40 deg. C. (minus 40 deg. F.).
    (b) DOT 4: 1,800 mm\2\/s at minus 40 deg. C. (minus 40 deg. F.).
    (c) DOT 5: 900 mm\2\/s at minus 40 deg. C. (minus 40 deg. F.).
* * * * *
    S5.2.1  Container sealing. Each brake fluid or hydraulic system 
mineral oil container with a capacity of 177 mL or more shall be 
provided with a resealable closure that has an inner seal impervious to 
the packaged brake fluid. The container closure shall include a tamper-
proof feature that will either be destroyed or substantially altered 
when the container closure is initially opened.
* * * * *
    S5.2.2.2  Each packager of brake fluid shall furnish the 
information specified in paragraphs (a) through (g) of this S5.2.2.2 by 
clearly marking it on each brake fluid container or on a label (labels) 
permanently affixed to the container, in any location except a 
removable part such as a lid. After being subjected to the operations 
and conditions specified in S6.14, the information required by this 
section shall be legible to an observer having corrected visual acuity 
of 20/40 (Snellen ratio) at a distance of 305 mm, and any label affixed 
to the container in compliance with this section shall not be removable 
without it being destroyed or defaced.
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (4) CAUTION: DO NOT REFILL CONTAINER, AND DO NOT USE FOR OTHER 
LIQUIDS. (Not required for containers with a capacity in excess of 19 
L.)
    S5.2.2.3  Each packager of hydraulic system mineral oil shall 
furnish the information specified in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this 
S5.2.2.3 by clearly marking it on each brake fluid container or on a 
label (labels) permanently affixed to the container, in any location 
except a removable part such as a lid. After being subjected to the 
operations and conditions specified in S6.14, the information required 
by this section shall be legible to an observer having corrected visual 
acuity of 20/40 (Snellen ratio) at a distance of 305 mm and any label 
affixed to the container in compliance with this section shall not be 
removable without it being destroyed or defaced.
* * * * *
    (d) Designation of the contents as ``HYDRAULIC SYSTEM MINERAL OIL'' 
in capital letters at least 3 mm high.
    (e) * * *
* * * * *
    (4) CAUTION: STORE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM MINERAL OIL ONLY IN ITS 
ORIGINAL CONTAINER. KEEP CONTAINER CLEAN AND TIGHTLY CLOSED. DO NOT 
REFILL CONTAINER OR USE OTHER LIQUIDS. (The last sentence is not 
required for containers with a capacity in excess of 19 L.)
* * * * *
    S6.3  Kinematic viscosity. Determine the kinematic viscosity of a 
brake fluid in mm\2\/s by the following procedure. Run duplicate 
samples at each of the specified temperatures, making two timed runs on 
each sample.
* * * * *
    S6.6.6  Calculation. (a) Measure the area of each type of test 
strip to the nearest square centimeter. Divide the average change in 
mass for each type by the area of that type.
* * * * *
    S6.8.3  Procedure. Obtain the tare weight of each of the four 
covered petri dishes to the nearest 0.01 gram. Place 25<plus-minus>1 
ml. of brake fluid in each dish, replace proper covers and reweigh. 
Determine the weight of each brake fluid test specimen by the 
difference. Place the four dishes, each inside its inverted cover, in 
the oven at 100 deg.<plus-minus>2 deg. C. (212 deg.<plus-minus>3.6 deg. 
F.) for 46<plus-minus>2 hours. (Note: Do not simultaneously heat more 
than one fluid in the same oven.) Remove the dishes from the oven, 
allow to cool to 23 deg.<plus-minus>5 deg. C. 
(73.4 deg.<plus-minus>9 deg. F.), and weigh. Return to the oven for an 
additional 24<plus-minus>2 hours. If at the end of 72<plus-minus>4 
hours the average loss by evaporation is less than 60 percent, 
discontinue the evaporation procedure and proceed with examination of 
the residue. Otherwise, continue this procedure either until 
equilibrium is reached as evidenced by an incremental mass loss of less 
than 0.25 gram in 24 hours on all individual dishes or for a maximum of 
7 days. During the heating and weighing operation, if it is necessary 
to remove the dishes from the oven for a period of longer than 1 hour, 
the dishes shall be stored in a desiccator as soon as cooled to room 
temperature. Calculate the percentage of fluid evaporated from each 
dish. Examine the residue in the dishes at the end of 1 hour at 
23 deg.<plus-minus>5 deg. C. (73.4 deg.<plus-minus>9 deg. F.). Rub any 
sediment with the fingertip to determine grittiness or abrasiveness. 
Combine the residues from all four dishes in a 118 mL (4-ounce) oil-
sample bottle and store vertically in a cold chamber at minus 
5 deg.<plus-minus>1 deg. C. (23 deg.<plus-minus>5 deg. F.) for 
60<plus-minus>10 minutes. Quickly remove the bottle and place in the 
horizontal position. The residue must flow at least 5 mm (0.2 inch) 
along the tube within 5 seconds.
* * * * *
    S6.10.3  Procedure--(a) At low temperature. Mix 50<plus-minus>0.5 
mL of brake fluid with 50<plus-minus>0.5 mL of SAE RM-66-03 
Compatibility Fluid. Pour this mixture into a centrifuge tube and 
stopper with a clean dry cork. Place tube in the cold chamber 
maintained at minus 40 deg.<plus-minus>2 deg. C. (minus 
40 deg.<plus-minus>3.6 deg. F). After 24<plus-minus>2 hours, remove 
tube, quickly wipe with a clean lint-free cloth saturated with ethanol 
(isopropanol when testing DOT 5 fluids) or acetone. Examine the test 
specimen for evidence of slugging, sedimentation, or crystallization. 
Test fluids, except DOT 5 SBBF, shall be examined for stratification.
* * * * *
    S6.11.1  Summary of procedure. Brake fluids, except DOT 5 SBBF, are 
activated with a mixture of approximately 0.2 percent benzoyl peroxide 
and 5 percent water. DOT 5 SBBF is humidified in accordance with S6.2 
eliminating determination of the ERBP, and then approximately 0.2 
percent benzoyl peroxide is added. A corrosion test strip assembly 
consisting of cast iron and an aluminum strip separated by tinfoil 
squares at each end is then rested on a piece of SBR WC cup positioned 
so that the test strip is half immersed in the fluid and oven aged at 
70 deg. C. (158 deg. F.) for 168 hours. At the end of this period, the 
metal strips are examined for pitting, etching, and loss of mass.
* * * * *
    S6.11.6  Calculation. Determine corrosion loss by dividing the 
change in mass of each metal strip by the total surface area of each 
strip measured in square millimeters (mm\2\), to the nearest

[[Page 19269]]

square millimeter (mm\2\). Average the results for the two strips of 
each type of metal, rounding to the nearest 0.05 mg. per 100 square 
millimeter (mm\2\). If only one of the duplicates fails for any reason, 
run a second set of duplicate samples. Both repeat samples shall meet 
all requirements of S5.1.11.
* * * * *
    S6.13.2  Apparatus and equipment.
* * * * *
    (b) Braking pressure actuation mechanism. An actuating mechanism 
for applying a force to the master cylinder pushrod without side 
thrust. The amount of force applied by the actuating mechanism shall be 
adjustable and capable of applying sufficient thrust to the master 
cylinder to create a pressure of at least 6895 kPa (1,000 p.s.i.) in 
the simulated brake system. A hydraulic gage or pressure recorder, 
having a range of at least 0 to 6895 kPa (0 to 1,000 p.s.i), shall be 
installed between the master cylinder and the brake assemblies and 
shall be provided with a shutoff valve and with a bleeding valve for 
removing air from the connecting tubing. The actuating mechanism shall 
be designed to permit adjustable stroking rates of approximately 1,000 
strokes per hour. Use a mechanical or electrical counter to record the 
total number of strokes.
* * * * *
    S6.13.3  Materials.
* * * * *
    (b) Steel tubing. Double wall steel tubing meeting SAE 
specification J527. A complete replacement of tubing is essential when 
visual inspection indicates any corrosion or deposits on inner surface 
of tubing. Tubing from master cylinder to one wheel cylinder shall be 
replaced for each test (minimum length .9 m.) Uniformity in tubing size 
is required between master cylinder and wheel cylinder. The standard 
master cylinder has two outlets for tubing, both of which must be used.
* * * * *
    S6.13.4  Preparation of test apparatus.
* * * * *
    (c) Assembly and adjustment of test apparatus. (1) When using a 
shoe and drum type apparatus, adjust the brake shoe toe clearances to 
1.0<plus-minus>0.1 mm (0.040<plus-minus>0.004 inch). Fill the system 
with brake fluid, bleeding all wheel cylinders and the pressure gage to 
remove entrapped air. Operate the actuator manually to apply a pressure 
greater than the required operating pressure and inspect the system for 
leaks. Adjust the actuator and/or pressure relief valve to obtain a 
pressure of 6895 kPa<plus-minus>3.5 kPa (1,000<plus-minus>50 p.s.i.). A 
smooth pressure stroke pattern is required when using a shoe and drum 
type apparatus. The pressure is relatively low during the first part of 
the stroke and then builds up smoothly to the maximum stroking pressure 
at the end of the stroke, to permit the primary cup to pass the 
compensating hole at a relatively low pressure. Using stroking 
fixtures, adjust the actuator and/or pressure relief valve to obtain a 
pressure of 6895 kPa<plus-minus>345 kPa (1,000<plus-minus>50 p.s.i.).
* * * * *
    S7.4.2  Procedure. Make hardness measurements at 
23 deg.<plus-minus>5 deg. C. (73.4 deg.<plus-minus>3.6 deg.F.). 
Equilibrate the tester and anvils at this temperature prior to use. 
Center brake cups lip side down on an anvil of appropriate hardness. 
Following the manufacturer's operating instructions for the hardness 
tester, make one measurement at each of four points 6 mm from the 
center of the cup and spaced 90 deg. apart. Average the four values, 
and round off to the nearest IRHD.
* * * * *
    S7.5.1  Apparatus.
* * * * *
    (b) Centrifuge. A centrifuge capable of whirling two or more filled 
centrifuge tubes at a speed which can be controlled to give a relative 
centrifugal force (r.c.f.) between 600 and 700 at the tip of the tubes. 
The revolving head, trunnion rings, and trunnion cups, including the 
rubber cushion, shall withstand the maximum centrifugal force capable 
of being delivered by the power source. The trunnion cups and cushions 
shall firmly support the tubes when the centrifuge is in motion. 
Calculate the speed of the rotating head using this equation:

r.p.m. = 265[<radical>25.4 x r.c.f./d]

Where: r.c.f. = Relative centrifugal force, and d = Diameter of swing, 
in millimeters, measured between tips of opposing tubes when in 
rotating position.

    Table VI shows the relationship between diameter, swing, relative 
centrifugal force (r.c.f.), and revolutions per minute.

     Table VI.--Rotation Speeds for Centrifuges of Various Diameters    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         r.p.m.   r.p.m.
          Diameter of swing in millimeters <SUP>a             at 600   at 700
                                                         r.c.f    r.c.f.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
483...................................................     1490     1610
508...................................................     1450     1570
533...................................................     1420     1530
559...................................................     1390    1500 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<SUP>a Measured in millimeters between tips of opposite tubes when in        
  rotating position.                                                    

* * * * *
    11. Section 571.117 would be amended by revising in S6.3.1, the 
introductory text, and revising in S6.3.2, the introductory text, to 
read as follows:


Sec. 571.117  Standard No. 117; Retreaded pneumatic tires.

* * * * *
    S6.3  Labeling.
    S6.3.1  Each retreaded pneumatic tire manufactured on or after June 
1, 1973, shall be labeled, in at least one location on the tire 
sidewall in letters and numerals not less than 2 mm (0.078 inch) high, 
with the following information:
* * * * *
    S6.3.2  Each retreaded tire manufactured on or after May 12, 1975, 
shall bear permanent labeling (through molding, branding, or other 
method that will produce a permanent label, or through the retention of 
the original casing labeling) in at least one location on the tire 
sidewall, in letters and numbers not less than 2 mm (0.078 inch) high, 
consisting of the following information:
* * * * *
    12. In Sec. 571.117, Table I--``Plies'' after paragraph (c) of 
S6.3.2 would be revised to read as follows:

[[Page 19270]]



                                                                     Table I.--Plies                                                                    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           2 ply-4 ply (4 ply rating)                                    4 ply (6 ply rating)                4 ply (8 ply rating)       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Maximum load         Maximum        Maximum load         Maximum        Maximum load         Maximum    
                                             ------------------     inflation    ------------------     Inflation    ------------------     inflation   
                  Tire size                                         pressure                            pressure                            pressure    
                                                 lb       kg   ------------------    lb       kg   ------------------    lb       kg   -----------------
                                                                  psi      kPa                        psi      kPa                        psi      kPa  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.00-13.....................................     1010      458       32      220     1080      499       36      248     1140      517       40      276
6.50-13.....................................     1150      552       32      220     1230      558       36      248     1300      590       40      276
7.00-13.....................................     1270      576       32      220     1360      617       36      248     1440      653       40      276
6.45-14.....................................     1120      508       32      220     1200      544       36      248     1270      576       40      276
6.95-14.....................................     1230      558       32      220     1310      594       36      248     1390      630       40      276
7.35-14.....................................     1360      617       32      220     1450      658       36      248     1540      698       40      276
7.75-14.....................................     1500      680       32      220     1600      726       36      248     1690      767       40      276
8.25-14.....................................     1620      735       32      220     1730      785       36      248     1830      830       40      276
8.55-14.....................................     1770      803       32      220     1890      857       36      248     2000      907       40      276
8.85-14.....................................     1860      844       32      220     1990      903       36      248     2100      953       40      276
5.60-15.....................................     0970      440       32      220     1040      472       36      248     1105      501       40      276
5.90-15.....................................     1050      476       32      220     1130      513       36      248     1200      544       40      276
6.85-15.....................................     1230      558       32      220     1320      599       36      248     1390      630       40      276
7.35-15.....................................     1390      630       32      220     1480      671       36      248     1570      712       40      276
7.75-15.....................................     1490      676       32      220     1590      721       36      248     1690      767       40      276
8.15-15.....................................     1610      730       32      220     1720      780       36      248     1820      826       40      276
8.25-15.....................................     1620      735       32      220     1730      785       36      248     1830      830       40      276
8.45-15.....................................     1740      789       32      220     1860      844       36      248     1970      894       40      276
8.55-15.....................................     1770      803       32      220     1890      857       36      248     2000      907       40      276
8.85-15.....................................     1860      844       32      220     1980      898       36      248     2100      953       40      276
9.00-15.....................................     1900      862       32      220     2030      721       36      248     2150      975       40      276
9.15-15.....................................     1970      894       32      220     2100      953       36      248     2230     1012       40      276
8.90-15.....................................     2210     1002       32      220     2360     1070       36      248     2500     1134       40      276
A70-13......................................     1060      481       32      220     1130      513       36      248     1200      544       40      276
D70-13......................................     1320      599       32      220     1410      640       36      248     1490      676       40      276
D70-14......................................     1320      599       32      220     1410      640       36      248     1490      676       40      276
E70-14......................................     1400      635       32      220     1490      676       36      248     1580      717       40      276
F70-14......................................     1500      680       32      220     1610      730       36      248     1700      771       40      276
G70-14......................................     1620      735       32      220     1730      785       36      248     1830      830       40      276
H70-14......................................      177      803       32      220     1890      857       36      248     2010      912       40      276
J70-14......................................     1860      844       32      220     1980      898       36      248     2100      953       40      276
L70-14......................................     1970      894       32      220     2180      989       36      248     2230     1012       40      276
C70-15......................................     1230      558       32      220     1320      599       36      248     1390      630       40      276
D70-15......................................     1320      599       32      220     1410      640       36      248     1490      676       40      276
E70-15......................................     1400      635       32      220     1490      676       36      248     1580      717       40      276
F70-15......................................     1500      680       32      220     1610      730       36      248     1700      771       40      276
G70-15......................................     1620      735       32      220     1730      785       36      248     1830      830       40      276
H70-15......................................     1770      803       32      220     1890      857       36      248     2010      912       40      276
J70-15......................................     1860      844       32      220     1980      898       36      248     2100      953       40      276
K70-15......................................     1900      862       32      220     2030      721       36      248     2150      975       40      276
L70-15......................................     1970      894       32      220     2100      953       36      248     2230     1012       40      276
165-13......................................     1050      476       32      220     1130      513       36      248     1200      544       40      276
175-13......................................     1150      552       32      220     1240      562       36      248     1350      612       40      276
185-13......................................     1270      576       32      220     1390      630       36      248     1510      685       40      276
155R13......................................      950      431       32      220     1015      460       36      248     1075      488       40      276
155R14......................................     1010      458       32      220     1080      499       36      248     1140      517       40      276
155R14......................................     1015      460       32      220     1085      492       36      248     1150      552       40      276
165R13......................................     1010      458       32      220     1080      499       36      248     1140      517       40      276
165R14......................................     1120      508       32      220     1200      544       36      248     1370      621       40      276
165R15......................................     1130      513       32      220     1200      544       36      248     1270      576       40      276
175R14......................................     1230      558       32      220     1310      594       36      248     1390      630       40      276
185R14......................................     1360      617       32      220     1450      658       36      248     1540      698       40     2761
185/70R13...................................     1090      494       32      220     1140      517       36      248     1190      540       40      276
145-14 \1\..................................      865      392       32      220      905      411       36      248      935      424       40      276
145-15......................................      895      406       32      220      940      426       36      248      975      442       40      276
195-15......................................     1550      703       32      220     1680      762       36      248     1820      826       40      276
205-15......................................     1770      803       32      220     1840      835       36      248     2000      907       40     276 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Dash Radial--Not an ``R'' Radial.                                                                                                                   

    13. Section 571.119 would be amended by revising S6.3; revising 
S6.4; revising in S6.5, the introductory paragraph and paragraphs (d) 
and (e); revising S7.1.2; revising in S7.2, paragraph (c); revising in 
S7.3, paragraphs (c), (e), and (f); and revising in S7.4, paragraph (c) 
to read as follows:


Sec. 571.119  Standard No. 119; New pneumatic tires for vehicles other 
than passenger cars.

* * * * *
    S6.3  High speed performance. When tested in accordance with the

[[Page 19271]]

procedures of S7.3, a tire shall meet the requirements set forth in 
S6.1.1 and S6.1.2 (a) and (b). However, this requirement applies only 
to motorcycle tires and to non-speed-restricted tires of 368 mm (14.5 
inches) nominal rim diameter or less marked load range A, B, C, or D.
    S6.4  Treadwear indicators. Except as specified in this paragraph, 
each tire shall have at least six treadwear indicators spaced 
approximately equally around the circumference of the tire that enable 
a person inspecting the tire to determine visually whether the tire has 
worn to a tread depth of 2 mm (one-sixteenth of an inch). Tires with 
305 mm (12-inch) or smaller rim diameter shall have at least three such 
treadwear indicators. Motorcycle tires shall have at least three such 
indicators which permit visual determination that the tire has worn to 
a tread depth of 1 mm (one-thirty-second of an inch).
    S6.5  Tire markings. Except as specified in this paragraph, each 
tire shall be marked on each sidewall with the information specified in 
paragraphs (a) through (j) of this section. The markings shall be 
placed between the maximum section width (exclusive of sidewall 
decorations or curb ribs) and the bead on at least one sidewall, unless 
the maximum section width of the tire is located in an area which is 
not more than one-fourth of the distance from the bead to the shoulder 
of the tire. If the maximum section width falls within that area, the 
markings shall appear between the bead and a point one-half the 
distance from the bead to the shoulder of the tire, on at least one 
sidewall. The markings shall be in letters and numerals not less than 2 
mm (0.078 inch) high and raised above or sunk below the tire surface 
not less that 0.4 mm (0.015 inch), except that the marking depth shall 
be not less than 0.25 mm (0.010 inch) in the case of motorcycle tires. 
The tire identification and the DOT symbol labeling shall comply with 
part 574 of this chapter. Markings may appear on only one sidewall and 
the entire sidewall area may be used in the case of motorcycle tires 
and recreational, boat, baggage, and special trailer tires.
* * * * *
    (d) The maximum load rating and corresponding inflation pressure of 
the tire, shown as follows:

(Mark on tires rated for single and dual load):
    Max load single __________ kg (__________ lbs) at __________kPa 
(__________ psi) cold.
    Max load dual __________kg (__________ lbs) at __________kPa 
(__________ psi) cold.

(Mark on tires rated only for single load):
    Max load __________kg (__________ lbs) at __________kPa 
(__________ psi) cold.

    (e) The speed restriction of the tire, if 88 km/h (55 mph) or less, 
shown as follows:

    Max speed __________km/h (__________ mph).
* * * * *
    S7.1.2  The tire must be capable of meeting the requirements of 
S7.2 and S7.4 when conditioned to a temperature of 35  deg.C (95 
deg.F) for 3 hours before the test is conducted, and with an ambient 
temperature maintained at 35  deg.C (95  deg.F) during all phases of 
testing. The tire must be capable of meeting the requirements of S7.3 
when conditioned at a temperature of 21  deg.C (70  deg.F) for 3 hours 
before the test is conducted.
    S7.2  Endurance.
* * * * *
    (c) Mount the tire-rim assembly on an axle and press it against a 
flat-faced steel test wheel that is 1708 mm (67.23 inches) in diameter 
and at least as wide as the tread of the tire.
* * * * *
    S7.3  Strength.
* * * * *
    (c) Force a cylindrical steel plunger, with a hemispherical end and 
of the diameter specified in Table I for the tire size, perpendicularly 
into a raised tread element as near as possible to the centerline of 
the tread, at a rate of 51 mm (2 inches) per minute, until the tire 
breaks or the plunger is stopped by the rim.
* * * * *
    (e) Repeat the plunger application at 72 deg. intervals around the 
circumference of the tire, until five measurements are made. However, 
in the case of tires of 305 mm (12-inch) rim diameter or less, repeat 
the plunger application at 120 deg. intervals around the circumference 
of the tire, until three measurements are made.
    (f) Compute the breaking energy for each test point by one of the 
two following formulas:

(1) W=(FP/2)  x 10 \3\ (Joules) (J)

Where:

W=Breaking energy (in kiloJoules) (kJ)
F=Force in newtons (N) and
P=Penetration in millimeters (mm), or;

(2) W=(FP/2)

Where:

W=Breaking energy in inch-pounds,
F=Force in pounds,
P=Penetration in inches.
* * * * *
    S7.4  High speed performance.
* * * * *
    (c) Remove the load, allow the tire to cool to 35  deg.C (95 
deg.F), and then adjust the pressure to that marked on the tire for 
single tire use.
* * * * *
    14. In Sec. 571.119, Table I--``Strength Test Plunger Diameter'', 
Table II--``Minimum Static Breaking Energy (Inch-Pounds)'', and Table 
III--``Endurance Test Schedule'' that follow paragraph (e) of S7.4 
would be revised to read as follows:

                Table I.--Strength Test Plunger Diameter                
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Plunger diameter 
                                                     -------------------
                                                        (mm)    (inches)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tire type:                                                              
    Light truck.....................................       19      \3/4\
    Motorcycle......................................        8     \5/16\
    Tires for 305 mm (12-inch) or smaller rims                          
     except motorcycle..............................       19      \3/4\
Tires other than the above types:                                       
  Tubeless:                                                             
    445 mm (17.5 inches) or smaller rims............       19      \3/4\
  Larger than 445 mm (17.5 inches) rims:                                
    Load range F or less............................       32     1\1/4\
    Load range over F...............................       38     1\1/2\
  Tube type:                                                            
    Load range F or less............................       32     1\1/4\
    Load range over F...............................       38     1\1/2\
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 19272]]


                                                       Table II.--Minimum Static Breaking Energy (Joules (J)* and Inch-Pounds (inch-lbs))                                                       
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Load Range                                        All 305 mm (12    Light truck 445      Tube type         Tubeless          Tube type         Tubeless    
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- inch) or smaller   mm (17.5 inch)  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Tire Characteristic                            Motorcycle         rim size       or smaller rim    32mm  1\1/4\''                      38mm  1\1/2\''                   
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     tubeless     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      8mm  \5/16\''     19mm  \3/4\''  ------------------                                                                       
                                                                   ------------------------------------   19mm  \3/4\''                                                                         
                 Plunger Diameter  (mm and inches)                                                     ------------------    J      inch-      J      inch-      J      inch-      J      inch- 
                                                                       J      inch-      J      inch-             inch-              lbs               lbs               lbs               lbs  
                                                                               lbs               lbs       J       lbs                                                                          
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.................................................................       16      150       67      600      225    2,000  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
B.................................................................       33      300      135    1,200      293    2,600  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
C.................................................................       45      400      203    1,800      361    3,200      768    6,800      576    5,100  .......  .......  .......  .......
D.................................................................  .......  .......      271    2,400      514    4,550      892    7,900      734    6,500  .......  .......  .......  .......
E.................................................................  .......  .......      338    3,000      576    5,100    1,412   12,500      971    8,600  .......  .......  .......  .......
F.................................................................  .......  .......      406    3,600      644    5,700    1,785   15,800    1,412   12,500  .......  .......  .......  .......
G.................................................................  .......  .......  .......  .......      711    6,300  .......  .......  .......  .......    2,282   20,200    1,694   15,000
H.................................................................  .......  .......  .......  .......      768    6,800  .......  .......  .......  .......    2,598   23,000    2,090   18,500
J.................................................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    2,824   25,000    2,203   19,500
L.................................................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    3,050   27,000  .......  .......
M.................................................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    3,220   28,500  .......  .......
N.................................................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    3,389   30,000  .......  .......
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: for rayon cord tires, applicable energy values are 60 percent of those in table.                                                                                                          
*kJ measurements are rounded down to the nearest whole number.                                                                                                                                  


                                                           Table III.--Endurance Test Schedule                                                          
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Test load: Percent of maximum  load              
                                                                                                                      rating                  Total best
                 Description                                  Load range                  Test wheel --------------------------------------- revolutions
                                                                                         speed (r/m)                               III-24    (thousands)
                                                                                                       I-7 hours   II-16 hours     hours                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speed restricted service:                                                                                                                               
88 km/h (55 mph).............................  ........................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
    80 km/h (50 mph).........................  All                                               125           66           84          101        352.0
                                               C,D                                               150           75           97          114        432.0
    56 km/h (35 mph).........................  E, F, G, H, J, L                                  100           66           84          101        282.5
  Motorcycle.................................  All                                                75           66           84          101        211.0
  All other..................................  All                                               250      \1\ 100      \2\ 108          117        510.0
                                               A,B,C,D                                           250       \1\ 75       \2\ 97          114  ...........
                                               E                                                 200           70           88          106        546.0
                                               F                                                 200           66           84          101        564.0
                                               G                                                 175           66           84          101        493.5
                                               H,J,L,N                                           150           66           84          101       423.5 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 4 hr., for tire sizes subject to high speed requirements (S6.3).                                                                                    
\2\ 6 hr., for tire sizes subject to high speed requirements (S6.3).                                                                                    

    15. Section 571.123 would be amended by revising S5.2.3 to read as 
follows:


Sec. 571.123  Standard No. 123, Motorcycle controls and displays.

* * * * *
    S5.2.3  Control and display identification. If an item of equipment 
in Table 3, Column 1, is provided, the item and its operational 
function shall be identified by:
    (a) A symbol substantially in the form shown in Column 3; or
    (b) Wording shown in both Column 2 and Column 4; or
    (c) A symbol substantially in the form shown in Column 3 and 
wording shown in both Column 2 and Column 4.
    (d) The abbreviations ``M.P.H.'',
``km/h'', ``r/min'', ``Hi'', ``Lo'', ``L'', ``R'', and ``Res'' 
appearing in Column 2 and Column 4 may be spelled in full. Symbols and 
words may be provided for equipment items where none are shown in 
Column 2, Column 3, and Column 4. Any identification provided shall be 
placed on or adjacent to the control or display position, and shall 
appear upright to the operator.
* * * * *
    16. In Sec. 571.123, Table 3 ``Motorcycle Control and Display 
Identification Requirements'' that follows S5.2.5 and Tables 1 and 2 
would be revised to read as follows:

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P

[[Page 19273]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21AP97.005



BILLING CODE 4910-59-C

[[Page 19274]]

    17. Section 571.201 would be amended by revising S2; revising S3.1; 
revising S3.1.1; revising S3.1.2; revising in S3.2, the introductory 
sentence; revising in S3.2.2, paragraph (c); revising S3.3.1; revising 
S3.4.2; revising S3.5.1; and revising in S5, paragraph (b) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 571.201  Standard No. 201, Occupant protection in interior 
impacts.

    S2. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars, and to 
multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses with a gross vehicle 
weight rating of 4,536 kilograms or less. * * * * *
    S3.1  Instrument panels. Except as provided in S3.1.1, when that 
area of the instrument panel that is within the head impact area is 
impacted in accordance with S3.1.2 by a 7 kg, 165 mm diameter head form 
at--
    (a) A relative velocity of 24 km/h for all vehicles except those 
specified in paragraph (b) of this section,
    (b) A relative velocity of 19 km/h for vehicles that meet the 
occupant crash protection requirements of S5.1 of 49 CFR 571.208 by 
means of inflatable restraint systems and meet the requirements of 
S4.1.2.1(c)(2) of 49 CFR 571.208 by means of a Type 2 seat belt 
assembly at the right front designated seating position, the 
deceleration of the head form shall not exceed 784 m/s\2\ continuously 
for more than 3 milliseconds.
    S3.1.1   The requirements do not apply to:
    (a) Console assemblies;
    (b) Areas less than 127 mm inboard from the juncture of the 
instrument panel attachment to the body side inner structure;
    (c) Areas closer to the windshield juncture than those statically 
contactable by the head form with the windshield in place;
    (d) Areas outboard of any point of tangency on the instrument panel 
of a 165 mm diameter head form tangent to and inboard of a vertical 
longitudinal plane tangent to the inboard edge of the steering wheel; 
or
    (e) Areas below any point at which a vertical line is tangent to 
the rearmost surface of the panel.
    S3.1.2  Demonstration procedures. Tests shall be performed as 
described in Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice J921, 
``Instrument Panel Laboratory Impact Test Procedure,'' June 1965, using 
the specified instrumentation or instrumentation that meets the 
performance requirements specified in Society of Automotive Engineers 
Recommended Practice J977, ``Instrumentation for Laboratory Impact 
Tests,'' November 1966, except that:
    (a) The origin of the line tangent to the instrument panel surface 
shall be a point on a transverse horizontal line through a point 127 mm 
horizontally forward of the seating reference point of the front 
outboard passenger designated seating position, displaced vertically an 
amount equal to the rise which results from 127 mm forward adjustment 
of the seat or 19 mm; and
    (b) Direction of the impact shall be either:
    (1) In a vertical plane parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis; 
or
    (2) In a plane normal to the surface at the point of contact.
    S3.2  Seat Backs. Except as provided in S3.2.1, when that area of 
the seat back that is within the head impact area is impacted in 
accordance with S3.2.2 by a 7 kg, 165 mm diameter head form at a 
relative velocity of 24 km/h the deceleration of the head form shall 
not exceed 784 m/s<SUP>2 continuously for more than 3 milliseconds.
* * * * *
    S3.2.2  Demonstration procedures.
* * * * *
    (c) For seats without head restraints installed, tests shall be 
performed for each individual split or bucket seat back at points 
within 102 mm left and right of its centerline, and for each bench seat 
back between points 102 mm outboard of the centerline of each outboard 
designated seating position;
* * * * *
    S3.3.1  Demonstration procedures. (a) Subject the interior 
compartment door latch system to an inertia load of 98 m/s<SUP>2 in a 
horizontal transverse direction and an inertia load of 98 m/s<SUP>2 in 
a vertical direction in accordance with the procedure described in 
section 5 of SAE Recommended Practice J839b, ``Passenger Car Side Door 
Latch Systems,'' May 1965, or an approved equivalent.
    (b) Impact the vehicle perpendicularly into a fixed collision 
barrier at a forward longitudinal velocity of 48 km/h.
    (c) Subject the interior compartment door latch system to a 
horizontal inertia load of 294 m/s<SUP>2 in a longitudinal direction in 
accordance with the procedure described in section 5 of SAE Recommended 
Practice J839b, ``Passenger Car Side Door Latch Systems,'' May 1965, or 
an approved equivalent.
* * * * *
    S3.4.2  Each sun visor mounting shall present no rigid material 
edge radius of less than 3 mm that is statically contactable by a 
spherical 165 mm diameter head form.
    S3.5  Armrests.
    S3.5.1  General. Each installed arm rest shall conform to at least 
one of the following:
    (a) It shall be constructed with energy-absorbing material and 
shall deflect or collapse laterally at least 51 mm without permitting 
contact with any underlying rigid material.
    (b) It shall be constructed with energy-absorbing material that 
deflects or collapses to within 32 mm of a rigid test panel surface 
without permitting contact with any rigid material. Any rigid material 
between 13 mm and 32 mm from the panel surface shall have a minimum 
vertical height of not less than 25 mm.
    (c) Along not less than 51 continuous mm of its length, the arm 
rest shall, when measured vertically in side elevation, provide at 
least 51 mm of coverage within the pelvic impact area.
* * * * *
    S5. Performance Criterion.
* * * * *
    (b) The free motion head form HIC is calculated in accordance with 
the following formula:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21AP97.014

Where the term a is the resultant acceleration expressed as a multiple 
of 9.8 m/s<SUP>2 (acceleration of gravity), and t<INF>1 and t<INF>2 are 
any two points in time during the impact which are separated by not 
more than a 36 millisecond time interval.
* * * * *
    18. Section 571.202 would be amended by revising S2; revising S4.2; 
revising S4.3; revising in S5.1, paragraph (c), and revising S5.2 to 
read as follows:


Sec. 571.202  Standard No. 202; Head restraints.

* * * * *
    S2. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars, and to 
multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 
kg or less.
* * * * *
    S4. Requirements.
* * * * *
    S4.2  Each truck, multipurpose passenger vehicle and bus with a 
GVWR of 4,536 kg or less, shall comply with S4.3.
    S4.3  Performance levels. Except for school buses, a head restraint 
that conforms to either (a) or (b) shall be

[[Page 19275]]

provided at each outboard front designated seating position. For school 
buses, a head restraint that conforms to either (a) or (b) shall be 
provided for the driver's seating position.
    (a) It shall, when tested in accordance with S5.1, during a forward 
acceleration of at least 78 m/s<SUP>2 on the seat supporting structure, 
limit rearward angular displacement of the head reference line to 
45 deg. from the torso reference line; or
    (b) It shall, when adjusted to its fully extended design position, 
conform to each of the following--
    (1) When measured parallel to torso line, the top of the head 
restraint shall not be less than 700 mm above the seating reference 
point;
    (2) When measured either 64 mm below the top of the head restraint 
or 635 mm above the seating reference point, the lateral width of the 
head restraint shall be not less than--
    (i) 254 mm for use with bench-type seats; and
    (ii) 171 mm for use with individual seats.
    (3) When tested in accordance with S5.2, the rearmost portion of 
the head form shall not be displaced to more than 102 mm 
perpendicularly rearward of the displaced extended torso reference line 
during the application of the load specified in S5.2(c); and
    (4) When tested in accordance with S5.2, the head restraint shall 
withstand an increasing load until one of the following occurs:
    (i) Failure of the seat or seat back; or
    (ii) Application of a load of 890 N.
    S5. Demonstration procedures.
    S5.1 * * *
* * * * *
    (c) During forward acceleration applied to the structure supporting 
the seat as described in this paragraph, measure the maximum rearward 
angular displacement between the dummy torso reference line and head 
reference line. When graphically depicted, the magnitude of the 
acceleration curve shall not be less than that of a half-sine wave 
having the amplitude of 78 m/s<SUP>2 and a duration of 80 milliseconds 
and not more than that of a half-sine wave curve having an amplitude of 
94 m/s<SUP>2 and a duration of 96 milliseconds.
    S5.2  Compliance with S4.3(b) shall be demonstrated in accordance 
with the following with the head restraint in its fully extended design 
position:
    (a) Place a test device, having the back plan dimensions and torso 
line (centerline of the head room probe in full back position), of the 
three dimensional SAE J826 manikin, at the manufacturer's recommended 
design seated position.
    (b) Establish the displaced torso reference line by applying a 
rearward moment of 373 Nm moment about the seating reference point to 
the seat back through the test device back pan located in (a).
    (c) After removing the back pan, using a 165 mm diameter spherical 
head form or cylindrical head form having a 165 mm diameter in plan 
view and a 152 mm height in profile view, apply, perpendicular to the 
displaced torso reference line, a rearward initial load 64 mm below the 
top of the head restraint that will produce a 373 Nm moment about the 
seating reference point.
    (d) Gradually increase this initial load to 890 N or until the seat 
or seat back fails, whichever occurs first.
    19. Section 571.203 would be amended by revising S2; revising S4; 
and revising S5.1 to read as follows:


Sec. 571.203  Standard No. 203; Impact protection for the driver from 
the steering control system.

* * * * *
    S2. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars and to 
multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses with a gross vehicle 
weight rating of 4,536 kg or less. However, it does not apply to 
vehicles that conform to the frontal barrier crash requirements (S5.1) 
of Standard No. 208 (49 CFR 571.208) by means of other than seat belt 
assemblies. It also does not apply to walk-in vans.
* * * * *
    S4. Requirements. Each passenger car and each multipurpose 
passenger vehicle, truck and bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of 
4,536 kg or less manufactured on or after September 1, 1981 shall meet 
the requirements of S5.1 and S5.2.
    S5. Impact protection requirements.
    S5.1  Except as provided in this paragraph, the steering control 
system of any vehicle to which this standard applies shall be impacted 
in accordance with S5.1(a). However, the steering control system of any 
such vehicle manufactured on or before August 31, 1996, may be impacted 
in accordance with S5.1(b).
    (a) When the steering control system is impacted by a body block in 
accordance with SAE Recommended Practice J944 JUN80 Steering Control 
System--Passenger Car--Laboratory Test Procedure, at a relative 
velocity of 24 km/h, the impact force developed on the chest of the 
body block transmitted to the steering control system shall not exceed 
11,120 N, except for intervals whose cumulative duration is not more 
than 3 milliseconds.
    (b) When the steering control system is impacted in accordance with 
Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice J944, ``Steering 
Wheel Assembly Laboratory Test Procedure,'' December 1965, or an 
approved equivalent, at a relative velocity of 24 km/h, the impact 
force developed on the chest of the body block transmitted to the 
steering control system shall not exceed 11,120 N, except for intervals 
whose cumulative duration is not more than 3 milliseconds.
* * * * *
    20. Section 571.204 would be amended by revising S4.2 to read as 
follows:


Sec. 571.204  Standard No. 204; Steering control rearward displacement.

* * * * *
    S4. Requirements.
* * * * *
    S4.2  Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 1991. When a 
passenger car or a truck, bus or multipurpose passenger vehicle with a 
gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less and an unloaded vehicle 
weight of 2,495 kg or less is tested under the conditions of S5 in a 48 
km/h perpendicular impact into a fixed collision barrier, the upper end 
of the steering column and shaft in the vehicle shall not be displaced 
more than 127 mm in a horizontal rearward direction parallel to the 
longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The amount of displacement shall be 
measured relative to an undisturbed point on the vehicle and shall 
represent the maximum dynamic movement of the upper end of the steering 
column and shaft during the crash test.
* * * * *
    21. Section 571.207 would be amended by revising S5.1.2 to read as 
follows:


Sec. 571.207  Standard No. 207, Seating systems.

* * * * *
    S5.1.2  If the seat back and the seat bench are attached to the 
vehicle by different attachments, attach to each component a fixture 
capable of transmitting a force to that component. Apply forces, in 
newtons, equal to 20 times the mass of the seat back in kilograms 
multiplied by 9.8 m/s<SUP>2 horizontally through the center of gravity 
of the seat back, as shown in Figure 2 and apply forces, in newtons, 
equal to 20 times the mass of the seat bench in kilograms multiplied by 
9.8 m/s<SUP>2 horizontally through the center of gravity of the seat 
bench, as shown in Figure 3.
* * * * *

[[Page 19276]]

Sec. 571.209  [Amended]

    22. Section 571.209 would be amended by revising in S4.1, 
paragraphs (f) and (g)(3); revising in S4.2, paragraphs (a), (b) and 
(c); revising in S4.3, paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (g), (h), (i), and 
(j); revising S4.4; revising in S5.1, paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), 
(e), and (f); revising in S5.2, the first paragraph of paragraph (a) 
and paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), and (k); and 
revising in S5.3, paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) to read as follows:


Sec. 571.209  Standard No. 209, Seat belt assemblies.

* * * * *
    S4. Requirements. 
    S4.1  * * *
    (f) Attachment hardware. A seat belt assembly shall include all 
hardware necessary for installation in a motor vehicle in accordance 
with Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice J800c, 
``Motor Vehicle Seat Belt Installation,'' November 1973. However, seat 
belt assemblies designed for installation in motor vehicles equipped 
with seat belt assembly anchorages that do not require anchorage nuts, 
plates, or washers, need not have such hardware, but shall have 7/16-20 
UNF-2A or \1/2\-13UNC-2A attachment bolts or equivalent metric 
hardware. The hardware shall be designed to prevent attachment bolts 
and other parts from becoming disengaged from the vehicle while in 
service. Reinforcing plates or washers furnished for universal floor, 
installations shall be of steel, free from burrs and sharp edges on the 
peripheral edges adjacent to the vehicle, at least 1.5 mm in thickness 
and at least 2580 mm\2\ in projected area. The distance between any 
edge of the plate and the edge of the bolt hole shall be at least 15 
mm. Any corner shall be rounded to a radius of not less than 6 mm or 
cut so that no corner angle is less than 135 deg. and no side is less 
than 6 mm in length.
    (g) * * *
    (3) The adult occupants referred to in S4.1(g)(1) shall have the 
following measurements:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    5th percentile      95th percentile 
                                     adult female         adult male    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weight..........................  46.3 kg             97.5 kg           
Erect sitting height............  784.9 mm            965.2 mm          
Hip breadth (sitting)...........  325.1 mm            419.1 mm          
Hip circumference (sitting).....  924.6 mm            1198.9 mm         
Waist circumference (sitting)...  599.4 mm            1079.5 mm         
Chest depth.....................  190.5 mm            266.7 mm          
Chest circumference:                                                    
  Nipple........................  774.7 mm            1130.3 mm         
  Upper.........................  756.9 mm            1130.3 mm         
  Lower.........................  675.6 mm            1130.3 mm         
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    S4.2  Requirements for webbing.
    (a) Width. The width of the webbing in a seat belt assembly shall 
be not less than 46 mm, except for portions that do not touch a 95th 
percentile adult male with the seat in any adjustment position and the 
seat back in the manufacturer's nominal design riding position when 
measured under the conditions prescribed in S5.1(a).
    (b) Breaking strength. The webbing in a seat belt assembly shall 
have not less than the following breaking strength when tested by the 
procedures specified in S5.1(b): Type 1 seat belt assembly--26,689 N; 
Type 2 seat belt assembly--22,241 N for webbing pelvic restraint and 
17,793 N for webbing in upper torso restraint.
    (c) Elongation. Except as provided in S4.5, the webbing in a seat 
belt assembly shall not extend to more than the following elongation 
when subjected to the specified forces in accordance with the procedure 
specified in S5.1(c): Type 1 seat belt assembly--20 percent at 11,120 
N; Type 2 seat belt assembly 30 percent at 11,120 N for webbing in 
pelvic restraint and 40 percent at 11,120 N for webbing in upper torso 
restraint.
* * * * *
    S4.3 Requirements for hardware.
* * * * *
    (c) Attachment hardware. (1) Eye bolts, shoulder bolts, or other 
bolt used to secure the pelvic restraint of seat belt assembly to a 
motor vehicle shall withstand a force of 40,034 N when tested by the 
procedure specified in S5.2(c)(1), except that attachment bolts of a 
seat belt assembly designed for installation in specific models of 
motor vehicles in which the ends of two or more seat belt assemblies 
cannot be attached to the vehicle by a single bolt shall have breaking 
strength of not less than 22,241 N.
    (2) Other attachment hardware designed to receive the ends of two 
seat belt assemblies shall withstand a tensile force of at least 26,689 
N without fracture of a section when tested by the procedure specified 
in S5.2(c)(2).
    (3) A seat belt assembly having single attachment hooks of the 
quick-disconnect type for connecting webbing to an eye bolt shall be 
provided with a retaining latch or keeper which shall not move more 
than 2 mm in either the vertical or horizontal direction when tested by 
the procedure specified in S5.2(c)(3).
    (d) Buckle release. (1) The buckle of a Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt 
assembly shall release when a force of not more than 133 N is applied.
    (2) A buckle designed for pushbutton application of buckle release 
force shall have a minimum area of 452 mm \2\ with a minimum linear 
dimension of 10 mm for applying the release force, or a buckle designed 
for lever application of buckle release force shall permit the 
insertion of a cylinder 10 mm in diameter and 38 mm in length to at 
least the midpoint of the cylinder along the cylinder's entire length 
in the actuation portion of the buckle release. A buckle having other 
design for release shall have adequate access for two or more fingers 
to actuate release.
    (3) The buckle of a Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assembly shall not 
release under a compressive force of 1779 N applied as prescribed in 
paragraph S5.2(d)(3). The buckle shall be operable and shall meet the 
applicable requirement of paragraph S4.4 after the compressive force 
has been removed.
    (e) Adjustment force. The force required to decrease the size of a 
seat belt assembly shall not exceed 49 N when measured by the procedure 
specified in S5.2(e).
* * * * *
    (g) Buckle latch. The buckle latch of a seat belt assembly when 
tested by the procedure specified in S5.2(g) shall not fail, nor gall 
or wear to an extent that normal latching and unlatching is impaired, 
and a metal-to-metal buckle shall separate when in any position of 
partial engagement by a force of not more than 22 N.

[[Page 19277]]

    (h) Nonlocking retractor. The webbing of a seat belt assembly shall 
extend from a nonlocking retractor within 6 mm of maximum length when a 
tension is applied as prescribed in S5.2(h). A nonlocking retractor on 
upper torso restraint shall be attached to the nonadjustable end of the 
assembly, the reel of the retractor shall be easily visible to an 
occupant while wearing the assembly, and the maximum retraction force 
shall not exceed 5 N in any strap or webbing that contacts the shoulder 
when measured by the procedure specified in S5.2(h), unless the 
retractor is attached to the free end of webbing which is not subjected 
to any tension during restraint of an occupant by the assembly.
    (i) Automatic-locking retractor. The webbing of a seat belt 
assembly equipped with an automatic locking retractor, when tested by 
the procedure specified in S5.2(i), shall not move more than 25 mm 
between locking positions of the retractor, and shall be retracted with 
a force under zero acceleration of not less than 3 N when attached to 
pelvic restraint, and not less that 2 N nor more than 5 N in any strap 
or webbing that contacts the shoulders of an occupant when the 
retractor is attached to upper torso restraint. An automatic locking 
retractor attached to upper torso restraint shall not increase the 
restraint on the occupant of the seat belt assembly during use in a 
vehicle traveling over rough roads as prescribed in S5.2(i).
    (j) Emergency-locking retractor. An emergency-locking retractor of 
a Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assembly, when tested in accordance with 
the procedures specified in paragraph S5.2(j)--
    (1) Shall lock before the webbing extends 25 mm when the retractor 
is subjected to an acceleration of .7 m/s\2\;
    (2) Shall not lock, if the retractor is sensitive to webbing 
withdrawal, before the webbing extends 51 mm when the retractor is 
subjected to an acceleration of 3 m/s\2\ or less;
    (3) Shall not lock, if the retractor is sensitive to vehicle 
acceleration, when the retractor is rotated in any direction to any 
angle of 15 deg. or less from its orientation in the vehicle;
    (4) Shall exert a retractive force of at least 3 N under zero 
acceleration when attached only to the pelvic restraint;
    (5) Shall exert a retractive force of not less than 1 N and not 
more than 5 N under zero acceleration when attached only to an upper 
torso restraint;
    (6) Shall exert a retractive force of not less than 1 N and not 
more than 7 N under zero acceleration when attached to a strap or 
webbing that restrains both the upper torso and the pelvis.
* * * * *
    S4.4 Requirements for assembly performance.
    (a) Type I seat belt assembly. Except as provided in S4.5, the 
complete seat belt assembly including webbing, straps, buckles, 
adjustment and attachment hardware, and retractors shall comply with 
the following requirements when tested by the procedures specified in 
S5.3(a):
    (1) The assembly loop shall withstand a force of not less than 
22,241 N; that is, each structural component of the assembly shall 
withstand a force of not less than 2,500 pounds or 1,1120 N.
    (2) The assembly loop shall extend not more than 7 inches or 178 mm 
when subjected to a force of 22,241 N; that is the length of the 
assembly between anchorages shall not increase more than 356 mm.
    (3) Any webbing cut by the hardware during test shall have a 
breaking strength at the cut of not less than 18,683 N.
    (4) Complete fracture through any solid section of metal attachment 
hardware shall not occur during test.
    (b) Type 2 seat belt assembly. Except as provided in S4.5, the 
components of a Type 2 seat belt assembly including webbing, straps, 
buckles, adjustment and attachment hardware, and retractors shall 
comply with the following requirements when tested by the procedure 
specified in S5.3(b):
    (1) The structural components in the pelvic restraint shall 
withstand a force of not less than 11,120 N.
    (2) The structural components in the upper torso restraint shall 
withstand a force of not less than 6,672 N.
    (3) The structural components in the assembly that are common to 
pelvic and upper torso restraints shall withstand a force of not less 
than 13,345 N.
    (4) The length of the pelvic restraint between anchorages shall not 
increase more than 508 mm when subjected to a force of 11,120 N.
    (5) The length of the upper torso restraint between anchorages 
shall not increase more than 508 mm when subjected to a force of 6,672 
N.
    (6) Any webbing cut by the hardware during test shall have a 
breaking strength of not less than 15,569 N at a cut in webbing of the 
pelvic restraint, or not less than 12,455 N at a cut in webbing of the 
upper torso restraint.
    (7) Complete fracture through any solid section of metal attachment 
hardware shall not occur during test.
* * * * *
    S5  Demonstration procedures.
    S5.1  Webbing--(a) Width. The width of webbing from three seat belt 
assemblies shall be measured after conditioning for at least 24 hours 
in an atmosphere having relative humidity between 48 and 67 percent and 
a temperature of 23 deg.<plus-minus>2 deg. C. The tension during 
measurement of width shall be not more than 22 N on webbing from a Type 
1 seat belt assembly, and 9786 N <plus-minus> 450 N on webbing from a 
Type 2 seat belt assembly. The width of webbing from a Type 2 seat belt 
assembly may be measured during the breaking strength test described in 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    (b) Breaking strength. Webbing from three seat belt assemblies 
shall be conditioned in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section 
and tested for breaking strength in a testing machine of capacity 
verified to have an error of not more than one percent in the range of 
the breaking strength of the webbing in accordance with American 
Society for Testing and Materials E4-79 ``Standard Methods of Load 
Verification of Testing Machines.'' The machine shall be equipped with 
split drum grips illustrated in Figure 1, having a diameter between 51 
and 102 mm. The rate of grip separation shall be between 51 and 102 mm 
per minute. The distance between the centers of the grips at the start 
of the test shall be between 102 and 254 mm. After placing the specimen 
in the grips, the webbing shall be stretched continuously at a uniform 
rate to failure. Each value shall be not less than the applicable 
breaking strength requirement in S4.2(b), but the median value shall be 
used for determining the retention of breaking strength in paragraphs 
(d), (e) and (f) of this section.
    (c) Elongation. Elongation shall be measured during the breaking 
strength test described in paragraph (b) of this section by the 
following procedure: A preload between 196 N and 245 N shall be placed 
on the webbing mounted in the grips of the testing machine and the 
needle points of an extensometer, in which the points remain parallel 
during test, are inserted in the center of the specimen. Initially the 
points shall be set at a known distance apart between 102 and 203 mm. 
When the force on the webbing reaches the value specified in S4.2(c), 
the increase in separation of the points of the extensometer shall be 
measured and the percent elongation shall be calculated to the nearest 
0.5 percent. Each value shall be not more than the appropriate 
elongation requirement in S4.2(c).
    (d) Resistance to abrasion. The webbing from three seat belt 
assemblies shall be tested for resistance to abrasion

[[Page 19278]]

by rubbing over the hexagon bar prescribed in Figure 2 in the following 
manner: The webbing shall be mounted in the apparatus shown 
schematically in Figure 2. One end of the webbing (A) shall be attached 
to a mass (B) of 2.35 kg<plus-minus>.05 kg, except that a mass of 1.5 
kg<plus-minus>.05 kg shall be used for webbing in pelvic and upper 
torso restraints of a belt assembly used in a child restraint system. 
The webbing shall be passed over the two new abrading edges of the 
hexagon bar (C) and the other end attached to an oscillating drum (D) 
which has a stroke of 330 mm. Suitable guides shall be used to prevent 
movement of the webbing along the axis of hexagonal bar C. Drum D shall 
be oscillated for 5,000 strokes or 2,500 cycles at a rate of 
60<plus-minus>2 strokes per minute or 30<plus-minus>1 cycles per 
minute. The abraded webbing shall be conditioned as prescribed in 
paragraph (a) of this section and tested for breaking strength by the 
procedure described in paragraph (b) of this section. The median values 
for the breaking strengths determined on abraded and unabraded 
specimens shall be used to calculate the percentage of breaking 
strength retained.
    (e) Resistance to light. Webbing at least 508 mm in length from 
three seat belt assemblies shall be suspended vertically on the inside 
of the specimen track in a Type E carbon-arc light exposure apparatus 
described in Standard Practice for Generating Light-Exposure Apparatus 
(Carbon-Arc Type) With and Without Water for Exposure of Nonmetallic 
Materials, ASTM Designation: G23 81, published by the American Society 
for Testing and Materials, except that the filter used for 100 percent 
polyester yarns shall be chemically strengthened soda-lime glass with a 
transmittance of less than 5 percent for wave lengths equal to or less 
than 305 nanometers and 90 percent or greater transmittance for wave 
lengths of 375 to 800 nanometers. The apparatus shall be operated 
without water spray at an air temperature of 60 deg.<plus-minus>2 deg. 
Celsius ( deg.C) measured at a point 25<plus-minus>5 mm outside the 
specimen rack and midway in height. The temperature sensing element 
shall be shielded from radiation. The specimens shall be exposed to 
light from the carbon-arc for 100 hours and then conditioned as 
prescribed in paragraph (a) of this section. The colorfastness of the 
exposed and conditioned specimens shall be determined on the Geometric 
Gray Scale issued by the American Association of Textile Chemists and 
Colorists. The breaking strength of the specimens shall be determined 
by the procedure prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section. The 
median values for the breaking strengths determined on exposed and 
unexposed specimens shall be used to calculate the percentage of 
breaking strength retained.
    (f) Resistance to micro-organisms. Webbing at least 508 millimeters 
(mm) in length from three seat belt assemblies shall first be 
preconditioned in accordance with Appendix A (1) and (2) of American 
Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists Test Method 381, 
``Fungicides Evaluation on Textiles; Mildew and Rot Resistance of 
Textiles,'' and then subjected to Test I, ``Soil Burial Test'' of that 
test method. After soil-burial for a period of 2 weeks, the specimen 
shall be washed in water, dried and conditioned as prescribed in 
paragraph (a) of this section. The breaking strengths of the specimens 
shall be determined by the procedure prescribed in paragraph (b) of 
this section. The median values for the breaking strengths determined 
on exposed and unexposed specimens shall be used to calculate the 
percentage of breaking strength retained.

    Note: This test shall not be required on webbing made from 
material which is inherently resistant to micro-organisms.
* * * * *
    S5.2  Hardware.
    (a) Corrosion resistance. Three seat belt assemblies shall be 
tested in accordance with American Society for Testing and Materials 
B11773, ``Standard Method of Salt Spray (Fog) Testing.'' Any surface 
coating or material not intended for permanent retention on the metal 
parts during service life shall be removed prior to preparation of the 
test specimens for testing. The period of test shall be 50 hours for 
all attachment hardware at or near the floor, consisting of two periods 
of 24 hours exposure to salt spray followed by 1 hour drying and 25 
hours for all other hardware, consisting of one period of 24 hours 
exposure to salt spray followed by 1 hour drying. In the salt spray 
test chamber, the parts from the three assemblies shall be oriented 
differently, selecting those orientations most likely to develop 
corrosion on the larger areas. At the end of test, the seat belt 
assembly shall be washed thoroughly with water to remove the salt. 
After drying for at least 24 hours under standard laboratory conditions 
specified in S5.1(a) attachment hardware shall be examined for ferrous 
corrosion on significant surfaces, that is, all surfaces that can be 
contacted by a sphere 19 mm in diameter, and other hardware shall be 
examined for ferrous and nonferrous corrosion which may be transferred, 
either directly or by means of the webbing, to a person or his clothing 
during use of a seat belt assembly incorporating the hardware.
* * * * *
    (c) Attachment hardware. (1) Attachment bolts used to secure the 
pelvic restraint of a seat belt assembly to a motor vehicle shall be 
tested in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 3. The load shall be 
applied at an angle of 45 deg. to the axis of the bolt through 
attachment hardware from the seat belt assembly, or through a special 
fixture which simulates the loading applied by the attachment hardware. 
The attachment hardware or simulated fixture shall be fastened by the 
bolt to the anchorage shown in Figure 3, which has a standard 7/16-
20UNF-2B or \1/2\-UNF-2B or metric equivalent threaded hole in a 
hardened steel plate at least 10 mm in thickness. The bolt shall be 
installed with two full threads exposed from the fully seated position. 
The appropriate force required by S4.3(c) shall be applied. A bolt from 
each of three seat belt assemblies shall be tested.
    (2) Attachment hardware, other than bolts, designed to receive the 
ends of two seat belt assemblies shall be subjected to a tensile force 
of 26,689 N in a manner simulating use. The hardware shall be examined 
for fracture after the force is released. Attachment hardware from 
three seat belt assemblies shall be tested.
    (3) Single attachment hook for connecting webbing to any eye bolt 
shall be tested in the following manner: The hook shall be held rigidly 
so that the retainer latch or keeper, with cotter pin or other locking 
device in place, is in a horizontal position as shown in Figure 4. A 
force of 667 N<plus-minus>9 N shall be applied vertically as near as 
possible to the free end of the retainer latch, and the movement of the 
latch by this force at the point of application shall be measured. The 
vertical force shall be released, and a force of 667 N<plus-minus>9 N 
shall be applied horizontally as near as possible to the free end of 
the retainer latch. The movement of the latch by this force at the 
point of load application shall be measured. Alternatively, the hook 
may be held in other positions, provided the forces are applied and the 
movements of the latch are measured at the points indicated in Figure 
4. A single attachment hook from each of three seat belt assemblies 
shall be tested.
    (d) Buckle release. (1) Three seat belt assemblies shall be tested 
to determine compliance with the maximum buckle release force 
requirements, following the assembly test in S5.3. After

[[Page 19279]]

subjection to the force applicable for the assembly being tested, the 
force shall be reduced and maintained at 667 N on the assembly loop of 
a Type 1 seat belt assembly, 334 N the components of a Type 2 seat belt 
assembly. The buckle release force shall be measured by applying a 
force on the buckle in a manner and direction typical of those which 
would be employed by a seat belt occupant. For push button-release 
buckles, the force shall be applied at least 3 mm from the edge of the 
push button access opening of the buckle in a direction that produces 
maximum releasing effect. For lever-release buckles, the force shall be 
applied on the centerline of the buckle lever or finger tab in a 
direction that produces maximum releasing effect.
    (2) The area for application of release force on pushbutton 
actuated buckle shall be measured to the nearest 30 mm \2\. The 
cylinder specified in S4.3(d) shall be inserted in the actuation 
portion of a lever released buckle for determination of compliance with 
the requirement. A buckle with other release actuation shall be 
examined for access of release by fingers.
    (3) The buckle of a Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assembly shall be 
subjected to a compressive force of 1779 N applied anywhere on a test 
line that is coincident with the center line of the belt extended 
through the buckle or on any line that extends over the center of the 
release mechanism and intersects the extended centerline of the belt at 
an angle of 60 deg.. The load shall be applied by using a curved 
cylindrical bar having a cross section diameter of 19 mm and a radius 
of curvature of 152 mm, placed with its longitudinal center line along 
the test line and its center directly above the point or the buckle to 
which the load will be applied. The buckle shall be latched, and a 
tensile force of 334 N shall be applied to the connected webbing during 
the application of the compressive force. Buckles from three seat belt 
assemblies shall be tested to determine compliance with paragraph 
S4.3(d)(3).
    (e) Adjustment Force. Three seat belt assemblies shall be tested 
for adjustment force on the webbing at the buckle, or other manual 
adjusting device normally used to adjust the size of the assembly. With 
no load on the anchor end, the webbing shall be drawn through the 
adjusting device at a rate of 508 mm <plus-minus>5 mm per minute and 
the maximum force shall be measured to the nearest 1 N after the first 
25 mm of webbing movement. The webbing shall be precycled 10 times 
prior to measurement.
    (f) Tilt-lock adjustment. This test shall be made on buckles or 
other manual adjusting devices having tilt-lock adjustment normally 
used to adjust the size of the assembly. Three buckles or devices shall 
be tested. The base of the adjustment mechanism and the anchor end of 
the webbing shall be oriented in planes normal to each other. The 
webbing shall be drawn through the adjustment mechanism in a direction 
to increase belt length at a rate of 508 mm <plus-minus>50 mm per 
minute while the plane of the base is slowly rotated in a direction to 
lock the webbing. Rotation shall be stopped when the webbing locks, but 
the pull on the webbing shall be continued until there is a resistance 
of at least 89 N. The locking angle between the anchor end of the 
webbing and the base of the adjustment mechanism shall be measured to 
the nearest degree. The webbing shall be precycled 10 times prior to 
measurement.
    (g) Buckle latch. The buckles from three seat belt assemblies shall 
be opened fully and closed at least 10 times. Then the buckles shall be 
clamped or firmly held against a flat surface so as to permit normal 
movement of buckle part, but with the metal mating plate (metal-to-
metal buckles) or of webbing end (metal-to-webbing buckles) withdrawn 
from the buckle. The release mechanism shall be moved 200 times through 
the maximum possible travel against its stop with a force of 133 
N<plus-minus>13 N at a rate not to exceed 30 cycles per minute. The 
buckle shall be examined to determine compliance with the performance 
requirements of S4.3(g). A metal-to-metal buckle shall be examined to 
determine whether partial engagement is possible by means of any 
technique representative of actual use. If partial engagement is 
possible, the maximum force of separation when in such partial 
engagement shall be determined.
    (h) Nonlocking retractor. After the retractor is cycled 10 times by 
full extension and retraction of the webbing, the retractor and webbing 
shall be suspended vertically and a force of 18 N shall be applied to 
extend the webbing from the retractor. The force shall be reduced to 13 
N when attached to a pelvic restraint, or to 5 N per strap or webbing 
that contacts the shoulder of an occupant when retractor is attached to 
an upper torso restraint. The residual extension of the webbing shall 
be measured by manual rotation of the retractor drum or by disengaging 
the retraction mechanism. Measurements shall be made on three 
retractors. The location of the retractor attached to upper torso 
restraint shall be examined for visibility of reel during use of seat 
belt assembly in a vehicle.

    Note: This test shall not be required on a nonlocking retractor 
attached to the free end of webbing which is not subjected to any 
tension during restraint of an occupant by the assembly.

    (i) Automatic-locking retractor. Three retractors shall be tested 
in a manner to permit the retraction force to be determined exclusive 
of the gravitational forces on hardware or webbing being retracted. The 
webbing shall be fully extended from the retractor. While the webbing 
is being retracted, the average force or retraction within plus or 
minus 51 mm of 75 percent extension (25 percent retraction) shall be 
determined and the webbing movement between adjacent locking segments 
shall be measured in the same region of extension. A seat belt assembly 
with automatic-locking retractor in upper torso restraint shall be 
tested in a vehicle in a manner prescribed by the installation and 
usage instructions. The retraction force on the occupant of the seat 
belt assembly shall be determined before and after traveling for 10 
minutes at a speed of 24 kilometers per hour (km/h) or more over a 
rough road (e.g., Belgian block road) where the occupant is subjected 
to displacement with respect to the vehicle in both horizontal and 
vertical directions. Measurements shall be made with the vehicle 
stopped and the occupant in the normal seated position.
    (j) Emergency-locking retractor. A retractor shall be tested in a 
manner that permits the retraction force to be determined exclusive of 
the gravitational forces on hardware or webbing being retracted. The 
webbing shall be fully extended from the retractor, passing over or 
through any hardware or other material specified in the installation 
instructions. While the webbing is being retracted, the lowest force of 
retraction within plus or minus 51 mm of 75 percent extension shall be 
determined. A retractor that is sensitive to webbing withdrawal shall 
be subjected to an acceleration of 3m/s\2\ within a period of 50 
milliseconds (ms) while the webbing is at 75 percent extension, to 
determine compliance with S4.3(j)(2). The retractor shall be subjected 
to an acceleration of 7 m/s\2\ within a period of 50 milliseconds (ms), 
while the webbing is at 75 percent extension, and the webbing movement 
before locking shall be measured under the following conditions: For a 
retractor sensitive to webbing withdrawal, the retractor shall be 
accelerated in the direction of webbing retraction while the retractor 
drum's central axis is

[[Page 19280]]

oriented horizontally and at angles of 45 deg., 90 deg., 135 deg., and 
180 deg. to the horizontal plane. For a retractor sensitive to vehicle 
acceleration, the retractor shall be:
    (1) Accelerated in the horizontal plane in two directions normal to 
each other, while the retractor drum's central axis is oriented at the 
angle at which it is installed in the vehicle; and,
    (2) Accelerated in three directions normal to each other while the 
retractor drum's central axis is oriented at angles of 45 deg., 
90 deg., 135 deg., and 180 deg. from the angle at which it is installed 
in the vehicle, unless the retractor locks by gravitational force when 
tilted in any direction to any angle greater than 45 deg. from the 
angle at which it is installed in the vehicle.
    (k) Performance of retractor. After completion of the corrosion-
resistance test described in paragraph (a) of this section, the webbing 
shall be fully extended and allowed to dry for at least 24 hours under 
standard laboratory conditions specified in S5.1(a). The retractor 
shall be examined for ferrous and nonferrous corrosion which may be 
transferred, either directly or by means of the webbing, to a person or 
his clothing during use of a seat belt assembly incorporating the 
retractor, and for ferrous corrosion on significant surfaces if the 
retractor is part of the attachment hardware. The webbing shall be 
withdrawn manually and allowed to retract for 25 cycles. The retractor 
shall be mounted in an apparatus capable of extending the webbing 
fully, applying a force of 89 N at full extension, and allowing the 
webbing to retract freely and completely. The webbing shall be 
withdrawn from the retractor and allowed to retract repeatedly in this 
apparatus until 2,500 cycles are completed. The retractor and webbing 
shall then be subjected to the temperature resistance test prescribed 
in paragraph (b) of this section. The retractor shall be subjected to 
2,500 additional cycles of webbing withdrawal and retraction. Then, the 
retractor and webbing shall be subjected to dust in a chamber similar 
to one illustrated in Figure 8 containing about 0.9 kg of coarse grade 
dust conforming to the specification given in Society of Automotive 
Engineering Recommended Practice J726, ``Air Cleaner Test Code'' Sept. 
1979. The dust shall be agitated every 20 minutes for 5 seconds by 
compressed air, free of oil and moisture, at a gage pressure of 
550<plus-minus>55 kPa entering through an orifice 1.5<plus-minus>0.1 mm 
in diameter. The webbing shall be extended to the top of the chamber 
and kept extended at all times except that the webbing shall be 
subjected to 10 cycles of complete retraction and extension within 1 to 
2 minutes after each agitation of the dust. At the end of 5 hours, the 
assembly shall be removed from the chamber. The webbing shall be fully 
withdrawn from the retractor manually and allowed to retract completely 
for 25 cycles. An automatic-locking retractor or a nonlocking retractor 
attached to pelvic restraint shall be subjected to 5,000 additional 
cycles of webbing withdrawal and retraction. An emergency locking 
retractor or a nonlocking retractor attached to upper torso restraint 
shall be subjected to 45,000 additional cycles of webbing withdrawal 
and retraction between 50 and 100 percent extension. The locking 
mechanism of an emergency locking retractor shall be actuated at least 
10,000 times within 50 to 100 percent extension of webbing during the 
50,000 cycles. At the end of test, compliance of the retractors with 
applicable requirements in S4.3 (h), (i), and (j) shall be determined. 
Three retractors shall be tested for performance.
    S5.3 Assembly performance--(a) Type 1 seatbelt assembly. Three 
complete seat belt assemblies, including webbing, straps, buckles, 
adjustment and attachment hardware, and retractors, arranged in the 
form of a loop as shown in Figure 5, shall be tested in the following 
manner:
    (1) The testing machine shall conform to the requirements specified 
in S5.1(b). A double-roller block shall be attached to one head of the 
testing machine. This block shall consist of two rollers 102 mm in 
diameter and sufficiently long so that no part of the seatbelt assembly 
touches parts of the block other than the rollers during test. The 
rollers shall be mounted on antifriction bearings and spaced 305 mm 
between centers, and shall have sufficient capacity so that there is no 
brinelling, bending or other distortion of parts which may affect the 
results. An anchorage bar shall be fastened to the other head of the 
testing machine.
    (2) The attachment hardware furnished with the seat belt assembly 
shall be attached to the anchorage bar. The anchor points shall be 
spaced so that the webbing is parallel in the two sides of the loop. 
The attaching bolts shall be parallel to, or at an angle of 45 deg. or 
90 deg. to the webbing, whichever results in an angle nearest to 
90 deg. between webbing and attachment hardware except that eye bolts 
shall be vertical, and attaching bolts or nonthreaded anchorages of a 
seat belt assembly designed for use in specific models of motor 
vehicles shall be installed to produce the maximum angle in use 
indicated by the installation instructions, utilizing special fixtures 
if necessary to simulate installation in the motor vehicle. Rigid 
adapters between anchorage bar and attachment hardware shall be used if 
necessary to locate and orient the adjustment hardware. The adapters 
shall have a flat support face perpendicular to the threaded hole for 
the attaching bolt and adequate in area to provide full support for the 
base of the attachment hardware connected to the webbing. If necessary, 
a washer shall be used under a swivel plate or other attachment 
hardware to prevent the webbing from being damaged as the attaching 
bolt is tightened.
    (3) The length of the assembly loop from attaching bolt to 
attaching bolt shall be adjusted to about 1295 mm, or as near thereto 
as possible. A force of 245 N shall be applied to the loop to remove 
any slack in webbing at hardware. The force shall be removed and the 
heads of the testing machine shall be adjusted for an assembly loop 
between 1220 and 1270 mm in length. The length of the assembly loop 
shall then be adjusted by applying a force between 89 or 98 N to the 
free end of the webbing at the buckle, or by the retraction force of an 
automatic-locking or emergency-locking retractor. A seat belt assembly 
that cannot be adjusted to this length shall be adjusted as closely as 
possible. An automatic-locking or emergency locking retractor when 
included in a seat belt assembly shall be locked at the start of the 
test with a tension on the webbing slightly in excess of the retractive 
force in order to keep the retractor locked. The buckle shall be in a 
location so that it does not touch the rollers during test, but to 
facilitate making the buckle release test in S5.2(d) the buckle should 
be between the rollers or near a roller in one leg.
    (4) The heads of the testing machine shall be separated at a rate 
between 51 and 102 mm per minute until a force of 22,241<plus-minus>222 
N is applied to the assembly loop. The extension of the loop shall be 
determined from measurements of head separation before and after the 
force is applied. The force shall be decreased to 667<plus-minus>45 N 
and the buckle release force measured as prescribed in S5.2(d).
    (5) After the buckle is released, the webbing shall be examined for 
cutting by the hardware. If the yarns are partially or completely 
severed in a line for a distance of 10 percent or more of the webbing 
width, the cut webbing shall be tested for breaking strength as 
specified in S5.1(b) locating the cut in the free length between grips. 
If there is insufficient webbing on either side of the cut to make such 
a test for breaking

[[Page 19281]]

strength, another seat belt assembly shall be used with the webbing 
repositioned in the hardware. A tensile force of 11,120<plus-minus>111 
N shall be applied to the components or a force of 
22,241<plus-minus>222 N shall be applied to the assembly loop. After 
the force is removed, the breaking strength of the cut webbing shall be 
determined as prescribed above.
    (6) If a Type 1 seat belt assembly includes an automatic-locking 
retractor or an emergency-locking retractor, the webbing and retractor 
shall be subjected to a tensile force of 11,120<plus-minus>111 N with 
the webbing fully extended from the retractor.
    (7) If a seat belt assembly has a buckle in which the tongue is 
capable of inverted insertion, one of the three assemblies shall be 
tested with the tongue inverted.
    (b) Type 2 seat belt assembly. Components of three seat belt 
assemblies shall be tested in the following manner:
    (1) The pelvic restraint between anchorages shall be adjusted to a 
length between 1220 and 1270 mm, or as near this length as possible if 
the design of the pelvic restraint does not permit its adjustment to 
this length. An automatic-locking or emergency-locking retractor when 
included in a seat belt assembly shall be locked at the start of the 
test with a tension on the webbing slightly in excess of the retractive 
force in order to keep the retractor locked. The attachment hardware 
shall be oriented to the webbing as specified in paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section and illustrated in Figure 5. A tensile force 
11,120<plus-minus>111 N shall be applied on the components in any 
convenient manner and the extension between anchorages under this force 
shall be measured. The force shall be reduced to 334<plus-minus>22 N 
and the buckle release force measured as prescribed in S5.2(d).
    (2) The components of the upper torso restraint shall be subjected 
to a tensile force of 6,672<plus-minus>67 N following the procedure 
prescribed above for testing pelvic restraint and the extension between 
anchorages under this force shall be measured. If the testing apparatus 
permits, the pelvic and upper torso restraints may be tested 
simultaneously. The force shall be reduced to 334<plus-minus>22 N and 
the buckle release force measured as prescribed in S5.2(d).
    (3) Any component of the seat belt assembly common to both pelvic 
and upper torso restraint shall be subjected to a tensile force of 
13,344<plus-minus>134 N.
    (4) After the buckle is released in tests of pelvic and upper torso 
restraints, the webbing shall be examined for cutting by the hardware. 
If the yarns are partially or completely severed in a line for a 
distance of 10 percent or more of the webbing width, the cut webbing 
shall be tested for breaking strength as specified in S5.1(b) locating 
the cut in the free length between grips. If there is insufficient 
webbing on either side of the cut to make such a test for breaking 
strength, another seat belt assembly shall be used with the webbing 
repositioned in the hardware. The force applied shall be 
11,120<plus-minus>111 N for components of pelvic restraint, and 
6,672<plus-minus>67 N for components of upper torso restraint. After 
the force is removed, the breaking strength of the cut webbing shall be 
determined as prescribed above.
    (5) If a Type 2 seat belt assembly includes an automatic-locking 
retractor or an emergency-locking retractor the webbing and retractor 
shall be subjected to a tensile force of 11,120<plus-minus>111 N with 
the webbing fully extended from the retractor, or to a tensile force of 
6,672<plus-minus>67 N with the webbing fully extended from the 
retractor if the design of the assembly permits only upper torso 
restraint forces on the retractor.
    (6) If a seat belt assembly has a buckle in which the tongue is 
capable of inverted insertion, one of the three assemblies shall be 
tested with the tongue inverted.
    (c) Resistance to buckle abrasion. Seatbelt assemblies shall be 
tested for resistance to abrasion by each buckle or manual adjusting 
device normally used to adjust the size of the assembly. The webbing of 
the assembly to be used in this test shall be exposed for 4 hours to an 
atmosphere having relative humidity of 65 percent and temperature of 18 
 deg.C. The webbing shall be pulled back and forth through the buckle 
or manual adjusting device as shown schematically in Figure 7. The 
anchor end of the webbing (A) shall be attached to a mass (B) of 1.4 
kg. The webbing shall pass through the buckle (C), and the other end 
(D) shall be attached to a reciprocating device so that the webbing 
forms an angle of 8 deg. with the hinge stop (E). The reciprocating 
device shall be operated for 2,500 cycles at a rate of 18 cycles per 
minute with a stroke length of 203 mm. The abraded webbing shall be 
tested for breaking strength by the procedure described in paragraph 
S5.1(b).
* * * * *
    23. Section 571.210 would be amended by revising in S4.2.1 the 
introductory paragraph; revising S4.2.2; revising S4.2.4; revising 
S4.3.1.1; revising S4.3.1.4; removing S4.3.1.5; revising S5.1; revising 
S5.2; and revising in S6, the introductory text, to read as follows:


Sec. 571.210  Standard No. 210; Seatbelt assembly anchorages.

* * * * *
    S4.2.1 Except as provided in S4.2.5, and except for side-facing 
seats, the anchorages, attachment hardware, and attachment bolts for 
any of the following seatbelt assemblies shall withstand a 22,241 N 
force when tested in accordance with S5.1 of this standard:
* * * * *
    S4.2.2 Except as provided in S4.2.5, the anchorages, attachment 
hardware, and attachment bolts for all Type 2 and automatic seatbelt 
assemblies that are installed to comply with Standard No. 208 (49 CFR 
571.208) shall withstand 13,345 N forces when tested in accordance with 
S5.2.
* * * * *
    S4.2.4. Anchorages, attachment hardware, and attachment bolts shall 
be tested by simultaneously loading them in accordance with the 
applicable procedures set forth in S5 of this standard if the 
anchorages are either:
    (a) For designated seating positions that are common to the same 
occupant seat and that face in the same direction, or
    (b) For laterally adjacent designated seating positions that are 
not common to the same occupant seat, but that face in the same 
direction, if the vertical centerline of the bolt hole for at least one 
of the anchorages for one of those designated seating positions is 
within 305 mm of the vertical center line of the bolt hole for an 
anchorage for one of the adjacent seating positions.
* * * * *
    S4.3.1.1  In an installation in which the seat belt does not bear 
upon the seat frame:
    (a) If the seat is a nonadjustable seat, then a line from the 
seating reference point to the nearest contact point of the belt with 
the anchorage shall extend forward from the anchorage at an angle with 
the horizontal of not less than 30 degrees and not more than 75 
degrees.
    (b) If the seat is an adjustable seat, then a line from a point 64 
mm forward of and 10 mm above the seating reference point to the 
nearest contact point of the belt with the anchorage shall extend 
forward from the anchorage at an angle with the horizontal of not less 
than 30 degrees and not more than 75 degrees.
* * * * *
    S4.3.1.4  Anchorages for an individual seat belt assembly shall be 
located at least 165 mm apart laterally, measured between the vertical 
center

[[Page 19282]]

line of the bolt holes or, for designs using other means of attachment 
to the vehicle structure, between the centroid of such means.
    S4.3.1.5  [Reserved]
* * * * *
    S5.1  Seats with Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt anchorages. With the 
seat in its rearmost position, apply a force of 22,241 N in the 
direction in which the seat faces to a pelvic body block as described 
in Figure 2A, in a plane parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the 
vehicle, with an initial force application angle of not less than 5 
degrees or more than 15 degrees above the horizontal. Apply the force 
at the onset rate of not more than 222,411 N per second. Attain the 
22,241 N force in not more than 30 seconds and maintain it for 10 
seconds. At the manufacturer's option, the pelvic body block described 
in Figure 2B may be substituted for the pelvic body block described in 
Figure 2A to apply the specified force to the center set(s) of 
anchorages for any group of three or more sets of anchorages that are 
simultaneously loaded in accordance with S4.2.4 of this standard.
    S5.2  Seats with Type 2 or automatic seat belt anchorages. With the 
seat in its rearmost position, apply forces of 13,345 N in the 
direction in which the seat faces simultaneously to a pelvic body 
block, as described in Figure 2A, and an upper torso body block, as 
described in Figure 3, in a plane parallel to the longitudinal 
centerline of the vehicle, with an initial force application angle of 
not less than 5 degrees nor more than 15 degrees above the horizontal. 
Apply the forces at the onset rate of not more than 133,447 N per 
second. Attain the 13,345 N force in not more than 30 seconds and 
maintain it for 10 seconds. At the manufacturer's option, the pelvic 
body block described in Figure 2B may be substituted for the pelvic 
body block described in Figure 2A to apply the specified force to the 
center set(s) of anchorages for any group of three or more sets of 
anchorages that are simultaneously loaded in accordance with S4.2.4 of 
this standard.
* * * * *
    S6. Owner's Manual Information. The owner's manual in each vehicle 
with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less manufactured 
after September 1, 1987 shall include:
* * * * *
    23. In Sec. 571.210, Figure 2 ``Body Block for Lap Belt Anchorage'' 
would be removed. Figure 2A ``Body Block for Lap Belt Anchorage'', 
Figure 2B ``Optional Body Block for Center Seating Positions'', and 
Figure 3 ``Body Block for Combination Shoulder and Lap Belt Anchorage'' 
after S5.2, and preceding S6, would be revised to read as follows:

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P

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[[Page 19286]]

    25. Section 571.219 would be amended by revising S3; revising S5; 
revising S6.1; revising S6.2; and revising in S7.7, paragraph (b) to 
read as follows:


Sec. 571.219  Standard No. 219, Windshield zone intrusion.

* * * * *
    S3. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars and to 
multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses of 4,536 kilograms or 
less gross vehicle weight rating. However, it does not apply to forward 
control vehicles, walk-in van-type vehicles, or to open-body-type 
vehicles with fold-down or removable windshields.
* * * * *
    S5. Requirement. When the vehicle travelling longitudinally forward 
at any speed up to and including 48 km/h impacts a fixed collision 
barrier that is perpendicular to the line of travel of the vehicle, 
under the conditions of S7, no part of the vehicle outside the occupant 
compartment, except windshield molding and other components designed to 
be normally in contact with the windshield, shall penetrate the 
protected zone template, affixed according to S6, to a depth of more 
than 6 mm, and no such part of a vehicle shall penetrate the inner 
surface of that portion of the windshield, within the DLO, below the 
protected zone defined in S6.
    S6. Protected zone template.
    S6.1  The lower edge of the protected zone is determined by the 
following procedure (See Figure 1).
    (a) Place a 165 mm diameter rigid sphere, with a mass of 6.8 kg in 
a position such that it simultaneously contacts the inner surface of 
the windshield glazing and the surface of the instrument panel, 
including padding. If any accessories or equipment such as the steering 
control system obstruct positioning of the sphere, remove them for the 
purposes of this procedure.
    (b) Draw the locus of points on the inner surface of the windshield 
contactable by the sphere across the width of the instrument panel. 
From the outermost contactable points, extend the locus line 
horizontally to the edges of the glazing material.
    (c) Draw a line on the inner surface of the windshield below and 13 
mm distant from the locus line.
    (d) The lower edge of the protected zone is the longitudinal 
projection onto the outer surface of the windshield of the line 
determined in S6.1(c).
    S6.2  The protected zone is the space enclosed by the following 
surfaces, as shown in Figure 1:
    (a) The outer surface of the windshield in its precrash 
configuration.
    (b) The locus of points 76 mm outward along perpendiculars drawn to 
each point on the outer surface of the windshield.
    (c) The locus of lines forming a 45 deg. angle with the outer 
surface of the windshield at each point along the top and side edges of 
the outer surface of the windshield and the lower edge of the protected 
zone determined in S6.1, in the plane perpendicular to the edge at that 
point.
* * * * *
    S7.7  * * *
* * * * *
    (b) Except as specified in S7.6, a multipurpose passenger vehicle, 
truck or bus is loaded to its unloaded vehicle weight, plus 136 kg or 
its rated cargo and luggage capacity, whichever is less, secured to the 
vehicle, plus a 50th-percentile test dummy as specified in part 572 of 
this chapter at each front outboard designated seating postion and at 
any other position whose protection system is required to be tested by 
a dummy under the provisions of Standard No. 208. Each dummy is 
restrained only by means that are installed for protection at its 
seating position. The load is distributed so that the mass on each axle 
as measured at the tire-ground interface is in proportion to its GAWR. 
If the mass on any axle when the vehicle is loaded to its unloaded 
vehicle weight plus dummy mass exceeds the axle's proportional share of 
the test mass, the remaining mass is placed so that the mass on that 
axle remains the same. For the purposes of this section, unloaded 
vehicle weight does not include the mass of work-performing 
accessories. Vehicles are tested to a maximum unloaded vehicle weight 
of 2,495 kg.
* * * * *
    26. Section 571.220 would be amended by revising S4; revising S5.2; 
revising S5.4; revising S5.5; and revising S6.1 to read as follows:


Sec. 571.220  Standard No. 220; School bus rollover protection.

* * * * *
    S4. Requirements. When a force in Newtons equal to 1\1/2\ times the 
unloaded vehicle weight in kilograms multiplied by 9.8 m/sec<SUP>2 is 
applied to the roof of the vehicle's body structure through a force 
application plate as specified in S5, Test procedures--
    (a) The downward vertical movement at any point on the application 
plate shall not exceed 130 mm and
    (b) Each emergency exit of the vehicle provided in accordance with 
Standard No. 217 (Sec. 571.217) shall be capable of opening as 
specified in that standard during the full application of the force and 
after release of the force, except that an emergency exit located in 
the roof of the vehicle is not required to be capable of being opened 
during the application of the force. A particular vehicle (i.e., test 
specimen) need not meet the emergency exit opening requirement after 
release of force if it is subjected to the emergency exit opening 
requirements during the full application of the force.
* * * * *
    S5.2  Use a flat, rigid, rectangular force application plate that 
is measured with respect to the vehicle roof longitudinal and lateral 
centerlines,
    (a) In the case of a vehicle with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kg, 305 
mm shorter than the vehicle roof and 914 mm wide; and
    (b) In the case of a vehicle with a GVWR of 4,536 kg or less, 127 
mm longer and 127 mm wider than the vehicle roof. For purposes of these 
measurements, the vehicle roof is that structure, seen in the top 
projected view, that coincides with the passenger and driver 
compartment of the vehicle.
* * * * *
    S5.4  Apply an evenly-distributed vertical force in the downward 
direction to the force application plate at any rate not more than 13 
mm per second, until a force of 2,224 N has been applied.
    S5.5  Apply additional vertical force in the downward direction to 
the force application plate at a rate of not more than 13 mm per second 
until the force specified in S4. has been applied, and maintain this 
application of force.
* * * * *
    S6.1  Temperature. The ambient temperature is any level between 0 
deg.C and 32  deg.C.
* * * * *
    27. Section 571.222 would be amended by revising in S4, the 
definition of ``contactable surface''; revising S4.1; revising in S5., 
paragraphs (a) and (b); revising S5.1.2; revising S5.1.3; revising 
S5.1.3.1; revising S5.1.3.2; revising S5.1.3.3; revising S5.1.3.4; 
revising S5.1.4; revising S5.1.4.1; revising S5.1.4.2; revising S5.1.5; 
revising S5.2; revising S5.2.1; revising S5.2.3; revising S5.3.1.1; 
revising S5.3.1.2; revising S5.3.1.3; revising S5.3.2.1; revising 
S5.3.2.2; revising S6.3; revising S6.5; revising S6.5.1; revising S6.6; 
and revising S6.7 to read as follows:


Sec. 571.222   Standard No. 222; School bus passenger seating and crash 
protection.

* * * * *

[[Page 19287]]

    S4. Definitions. Contactable surface means any surface within the 
zone specified in S5.3.1.1 that is contactable from any direction by 
the test device described in S6.6, except any surface on the front of a 
seat back or restraining barrier 76 mm or more below the top of the 
seat back or restraining barrier.
* * * * *
    S4.1  The number of seating positions considered to be in a bench 
seat is expressed by the symbol W, and calculated as the bench width in 
millimeters divided by 381 and rounded to the nearest whole number.
    S5. Requirements. (a) Each vehicle with a gross vehicle weight 
rating of more than 4,536 kg shall be capable of meeting any of the 
requirements set forth under this heading when tested under the 
conditions of S6. However, a particular school bus passenger seat 
(i.e., test specimen) in that weight class need not meet further 
requirements after having met S5.1.2 and S5.1.5, or having been 
subjected to either S5.1.3, S5.1.4, or S5.3.
    (b) Each vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or 
less shall be capable of meeting the following requirements at all 
seating positions other than the driver's seat:
    (1) (A) In the case of vehicles manufactured before September 1, 
1991, the requirements of Secs. 571.208, 571.209, and 571.210 as they 
apply to multipurpose passenger vehicles; or
    (B) In the case of vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 
1991, the requirements of S4.4.3.3 of Sec. 571.208 and the requirements 
of Secs. 571.209 and 571.210 as they apply to school buses with a gross 
vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less; and
    (2) The requirements of S5.1.2, S5.1.3, S5.1.4, S5.1.5, S5.3, and 
S5.4 of this standard. However, the requirements of Secs. 571.208 and 
571.210 shall be met at W seating positions in a bench seat using a 
body block as specified in Figure 2 of this standard, and a particular 
school bus passenger seat (i.e., a test specimen) in that weight class 
need not meet further requirements after having met S5.1.2 and S5.1.5, 
or after having been subjected to either S5.1.3, S5.1.4, or S5.3 of 
this standard or Sec. 571.210.
* * * * *
    S5.1.2  Seat back height and surface area. Each school bus 
passenger seat shall be equipped with a seat back that, in the front 
projected view, has a front surface area above the horizontal plane 
that passes through the seating reference point, and below the 
horizontal plane 508 mm above the seating reference point, of not less 
than 90 percent of the seat bench width in millimeters multiplied by 
508.
    S5.1.3  Seat performance forward. When a school bus passenger seat 
that has another seat behind it is subjected to the application of 
force as specified in S5.1.3.1 and S5.1.3.2, and subsequently, the 
application of additional force to the seat back as specified in 
S5.1.3.3 and S5.1.3.4:
    (a) The seat back force/deflection curve shall fall within the zone 
specified in Figure 1;
    (b) Seat back deflection shall not exceed 356 mm; (for 
determination of (a) and (b) the force/deflection curve describes only 
the force applied through the upper loading bar, and only the forward 
travel of the pivot attachment point of the upper loading bar, measured 
from the point at which the initial application of 44 N of force is 
attained.)
    (c) The seat shall not deflect by an amount such that any part of 
the seat moves to within 102 mm of any part of another school bus 
passenger seat or restraining barrier in its originally installed 
position;
    (d) The seat shall not separate from the vehicle at any attachment 
point; and
    (e) Seat components shall not separate at any attachment point.
    S5.1.3.1  Position the loading bar specified in S6.5 so that it is 
laterally centered behind the seat back with the bar's longitudinal 
axis in a transverse plane of the vehicle and in any horizontal plane 
between 102 mm above and 102 mm below the seating reference point of 
the school bus passenger seat behind the test specimen.
    S5.1.3.2  Apply a force of 3,114W Newtons horizontally in the 
forward direction through the loading bar at the pivot attachment 
point. Reach the specified load in not less than 5 nor more than 30 
seconds.
    S5.1.3.3  No sooner than 1.0 second after attaining the required 
force, reduce that force to 1,557W Newtons and, while maintaining the 
pivot point position of the first loading bar at the position where the 
1,557W Newtons is attained, position a second loading bar described in 
S6.5 so that it is laterally centered behind the seat back with the 
bar's longitudinal axis in a transverse plane of the vehicle and in the 
horizontal plane 406 mm above the seating reference point of the school 
bus passenger seat behind the test specimen, and move the bar forward 
against the seat back until a force of 44 N has been applied.
    S5.1.3.4  Apply additional force horizontally in the forward 
direction through the upper bar until 452W Joules of energy have been 
absorbed in deflecting the seat back (or restraining barrier). Apply 
the additional load in not less than 5 seconds nor more than 30 
seconds. Maintain the pivot attachment point in the maximum forward 
travel position for not less than 5 seconds nor more than 10 seconds 
and release the load in not less than 5 nor more than 30 seconds. (For 
the determination of S5.1.3.4 the force/deflection curve describes only 
the force applied through the upper loading bar, and the forward and 
rearward travel distance of the upper loading bar pivot attachment 
point measured from the position at which the initial application of 44 
N of force is attained.)
    S5.1.4  Seat performance rearward. When a school bus passenger seat 
that has another seat behind it is subjected to the application of 
force as specified in S5.1.4.1 and S5.1.4.2:
    (a) Seat back force shall not exceed 9,786 N;
    (b) Seat back deflection shall not exceed 254 mm; (for 
determination of (a) and (b) the force/deflection curve describes only 
the force applied through the loading bar, and only the rearward travel 
of the pivot attachment point of the loading bar, measured from the 
point at which the initial application of 222 N is attained.
    (c) The seat shall not deflect by an amount such that any part of 
the seat moves to within 102 mm of any part of another passenger seat 
in its originally installed position;
    (d) The seat shall not separate from the vehicle at any attachment 
point; and
    (e) Seat components shall not separate at any attachment point.
    S5.1.4.1  Position the loading bar described in S6.5 so that it is 
laterally centered forward of the seat back with the bar's longitudinal 
axis in a transverse plane of the vehicle and in the horizontal plane 
343 mm above the seating reference point of the test specimen, and move 
the loading bar rearward against the seat back until a force of 222 N 
has been applied.
    S5.1.4.2  Apply additional force horizontally rearward through the 
loading bar until 316W Joules (J) of energy has been absorbed in 
deflecting the seat back. Apply the additional load in not less than 5 
seconds nor more than 30 seconds. Maintain the pivot attachment point 
in the maximum rearward travel position for not less than 5 seconds nor 
more than 10 seconds and release the load in not less than 5 seconds 
nor more than 30 seconds. (For determination of S5.1.4.2 the force 
deflection curve describes the force applied through the loading bar 
and the rearward and forward travel distance of the loading bar pivot

[[Page 19288]]

attachment point measured from the position at which the initial 
application of 222 N of force is attained.)
    S5.1.5  Seat cushion retention. In the case of school bus passenger 
seats equipped with seat cushions, with all manual attachment devices 
between the seat and the seat cushion in the manufacturer's designated 
position for attachment, the seat cushion shall not separate from the 
seat at any attachment point when subjected to an upward force in 
Newtons of 5 times the mass of seat cushion in kilograms multiplied by 
9.8 m/s<SUP>2, applied in any period of not less than 1 nor more than 5 
seconds, and maintained for 5 seconds.
    S5.2  Restraining barrier requirements. Each vehicle shall be 
equipped with a restraining barrier forward of any designated seating 
position that does not have the rear surface of another school bus 
passenger seat within 610 mm of its seating reference point, measured 
along a horizontal longitudinal line through the seating reference 
point in the forward direction.
    S5.2.1  Barrier-seat separation. The horizontal distance between 
the restraining barrier's rear surface and the seating reference point 
of the seat in front of which the barrier is required shall not be more 
than 610 mm measured along a horizontal longitudinal line through the 
seating reference point in the forward direction.
* * * * *
    S5.2.3  Barrier performance forward. When force is applied to the 
restraining barrier in the same manner as specified in S5.1.3.1 through 
S5.1.3.4 for seating performance tests:
    (a) The restraining barrier force/deflection curve shall fall 
within the zone specified in Figure 1;
    (b) Restraining barrier deflection shall not exceed 356 mm; (for 
computation of (a) and (b) the force/deflection curve describes only 
the force applied though the upper loading bar, and only the forward 
travel of the pivot attachment point of the loading bar, measured from 
the point at which the initial application of 44 N of force is 
attained.)
    (c) Restraining barrier deflection shall not interfere with normal 
door operation;
    (d) The restraining barrier shall not separate from the vehicle at 
any attachment point; and
    (e) Restraining barrier components shall not separate at any 
attachment point.
* * * * *
    S5.3.1.1  The head protection zones in each vehicle are the spaces 
in front of each school bus passenger seat which are not occupied by 
bus sidewall, window, or door structure and which, in relation to that 
seat and its seating reference point, are enclosed by the following 
planes;
    (a) Horizontal planes 305 mm and 1016 mm above the seating 
reference point;
    (b) A vertical longitudinal plane tangent to the inboard (aisle 
side) edge of the seat; and
    (c) A vertical longitudinal plane 83 mm inboard of the outboard 
edge of the seat;
    (d) Vertical transverse planes through and 762 mm forward of the 
reference point.
    S5.3.1.2  Head form impact requirement. When any contactable 
surface of the vehicle within the zones specified in S5.3.1.1 is 
impacted from any direction at 6.7 m/s by the head form described in 
S6.6, the axial acceleration at the center of gravity of the head form 
shall be such that the expression
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21AP97.015

shall not exceed 1,000 where ``a'' is the axial acceleration expressed 
as a multiple of ``g'' (the acceleration due to gravity), and 
``t<INF>1'' and ``t<INF>2'' are any two points in time during the 
impact.
    S5.3.1.3  Head form force distribution. When any contactable 
surface of the vehicle within the zones specified in S5.3.1.1 is 
impacted from any direction at 6.7 m/s by the head form described in 
S6.6, the energy necessary to deflect the impacted material shall be 
not less than 4.5 joules before the force level on the head form 
exceeds 667 N. When any contactable surface within such zones is 
impacted by the head form from any direction at 1.5 m/s the contact 
area on the head form surface shall be not less than 1,935 mm<SUP>2.
* * * * *
    S5.3.2.1  The leg protection zones of each vehicle are those parts 
of the school bus passenger seat backs and restraining barriers bounded 
by horizontal planes 305 mm above and 102 mm below the seating 
reference point of the school bus passenger seat immediately behind the 
seat back or restraining barrier.
    S5.3.2.2  When any point on the rear surface of that part of a seat 
back or restraining barrier within any zone specified in S5.3.2.1 is 
impacted from any direction at 4.9 m/s by the knee form specified in 
S6.7, the resisting force of the impacted material shall not exceed 
2,669 N and the contact area on the knee form surface shall not be less 
than 1,935 mm<SUP>2.
* * * * *
    S6.3  Temperature. The ambient temperature is any level between 0 
degrees C and 32 degrees C.
* * * * *
    S6.5  Loading bar. The loading bar is a rigid cylinder with an 
outside diameter of 152 mm that has hemispherical ends with radii of 76 
mm and with a surface roughness that does not exceed 1.6 <greek-m>m, 
root mean square. The length of the loading bar is 102 mm less than the 
width of the seat back in each test. The stroking mechanism applies 
force through a pivot attachment at the center point of the loading bar 
which allows the loading bar to rotate in a horizontal plane 30 degrees 
in either direction from the transverse position.
    S6.5.1  A vertical or lateral force of 17,792 N applied externally 
through the pivot attachment point of the loading bar at any position 
reached during a test specified in this standard shall not deflect that 
point more than 25 mm.
    S6.6  Head form. The head form for the measurement of acceleration 
is a rigid surface comprised of two hemispherical shapes, with total 
equivalent mass of 5.2 kg. The first of the two hemispherical shapes 
has a diameter of 165 mm. The second of the two hemispherical shapes 
has a 51 mm diameter and is centered as shown in Figure 3 to protrude 
from the outer surface of the first hemispherical shape. The surface 
roughness of the hemispherical shapes does not exceed 1.6 <greek-m>m, 
root mean square.
* * * * *
    S6.7  Knee form. The knee form for measurement of force is a rigid 
76 millimeter-diameter cylinder, with an equivalent weight of 44 N that 
has one hemispherical end with a 38 mm radius forming a contact surface 
of the knee form. The hemispherical surface roughness does not exceed 
1.6 <greek-m>m, root mean square.
* * * * *
    28. In Sec. 571.222, Figure 1, ``Force/Deflection Zone'', Figure 2, 
``Body Block for Lap Belt'', and Figure 3 after S6.8 would be revised 
to read as follows:

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P

[[Page 19289]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21AP97.009



[[Page 19290]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21AP97.010



[[Page 19291]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21AP97.011



BILLING CODE 4910-59-C

[[Page 19292]]

    29. Section 571.301 would be amended by revising S3; revising S5.5; 
revising S5.6; revising S6; revising S6.1; revising S6.2; revising 
S6.3; revising S6.5; revising S6.6; revising S7.1.6; revising S7.3; 
revising S7.5.1; revising S7.5.2; revising S7.5.4; and revising S7.5.5 
to read as follows:


S571.301  Standard No. 301; Fuel system integrity.

* * * * *
    S3. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars, and to 
multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses that have a GVWR of 
4,536 kg or less and use fuel with a boiling point above 0 deg. C, and 
to school buses that have a GVWR greater than 4,536 kg and use fuel 
with a boiling point above 0 deg. C.
* * * * *
    S5.5  Fuel spillage; Barrier crash. Fuel spillage in any fixed or 
moving barrier crash test shall not exceed 28 g from impact until 
motion of the vehicle has ceased, and shall not exceed a total of 142 g 
in the 1-minute period following cessation of motion. For the 
subsequent 2-minute period, fuel spillage during any 1 minute interval 
shall not exceed 28 g.
    S5.6  Fuel spillage; rollover. Fuel spillage in any rollover test, 
from the onset of rotational motion, shall not exceed a total of 142 g 
for the first 5 minutes of testing at each successive 90 deg. 
increment. For the remaining test period, at each increment of 90 deg. 
fuel spillage during any 1 minute interval shall not exceed 28 g.
* * * * *
    S6. Test requirements. Each vehicle with a GVWR of 4,536 kg or less 
shall be capable of meeting the requirements of any applicable barrier 
crash test followed by a static rollover, without alteration of the 
vehicle during the test sequence. A particular vehicle need not meet 
further requirements after having been subjected to a single barrier 
crash test and a static rollover test.
    S6.1  Frontal barrier crash. When the vehicle travelling 
longitudinally forward at any speed up to and including 48 km/h impacts 
a fixed collision barrier that is perpendicular to the line of travel 
of the vehicle, or at any angle up to 30 deg. in either direction from 
the perpendicular to the line of travel of the vehicle, with 50th-
percentile test dummies as specified in part 572 of this chapter at 
each front outboard designated seating position and at any other 
position whose protection system is required to be tested by a dummy 
under the provisions of Standard No. 208, under the applicable 
conditions of S7., fuel spillage shall not exceed the limits of S5.5.
    S6.2  Rear moving barrier crash. When the vehicle is impacted from 
the rear by a barrier moving at 48 km/h, with test dummies as specified 
in part 572 of this chapter at each front outboard designated seating 
position, under the applicable conditions of S7., fuel spillage shall 
not exceed the limits of S5.5.
    S6.3  Lateral moving barrier crash. When the vehicle is impacted 
laterally on either side by a barrier moving at 32 km/h with 50th-
percentile test dummies as specified in part 572 of this chapter at 
positions required for testing to Standard No. 208, under the 
applicable conditions of S7., fuel spillage shall not exceed the limits 
of S5.5.
* * * * *
    S6.5  Moving contoured barrier crash. When the moving contoured 
barrier assembly traveling longitudinally forward at any speed up to 
and including 48 km/h impacts the test vehicle (school bus with a GVWR 
exceeding 4,536 kg) at any point and angle, under the applicable 
conditions of S7.1 and S7.5, fuel spillage shall not exceed the limits 
of S5.5.
    S6.6  Anti-siphoning test for alcohol fuel vehicles. Each vehicle 
shall have means that prevent any hose made of vinyl plastic or rubber, 
with a length of not less than 1200 millimeters (mm) and an outside 
diameter of not less than 5.2 mm, from contacting the level surface of 
the liquid fuel in the vehicle's fuel tank or fuel system, when the 
hose is inserted into the filler neck attached to the fuel tank with 
the fuel tank filled to any level from 90 to 95 percent of capacity.
* * * * *
    S7.1.6  The vehicle, including test devices and instrumentation, is 
loaded as follows:
    (a) Except as specified in S7.1.1, a passenger car is loaded to its 
unloaded vehicle weight plus its rated cargo and luggage capacity 
weight, secured in the luggage area, plus the necessary test dummies as 
specified in S6., restrained only by means that are installed in the 
vehicle for protection at its seating position.
    (b) Except as specified in S7.1.1, a multipurpose passenger 
vehicle, truck, or bus with a GVWR of 4,536 kg or less is loaded to its 
unloaded vehicle weight, plus the necessary test dummies, as specified 
in S6., plus 136 kg or its rated cargo and luggage capacity weight, 
whichever is less, secured to the vehicle and distributed so that the 
weight on each axle as measured at the tire-ground interface is 
proportional to its GAWR. If the weight on any axle, when the vehicle 
is loaded to unloaded vehicle weight plus dummy weight, exceeds the 
axle's proportional share of the test weight, the remaining weight 
shall be placed so that the weight on that axle remains the same. Each 
dummy shall be restrained only by means that are installed in the 
vehicle for protection at its seating position.
    (c) Except as specified in S7.1.1, a school bus with a GVWR greater 
than 4,536 kg is loaded to its unloaded vehicle weight, plus 54 kg of 
unsecured mass at each designated seating position.
* * * * *
    S7.3  Rear moving barrier test conditions. The rear moving barrier 
test conditions are those specified in S8.2 of Standard No. 208, 49 CFR 
571.208, except for the positioning of the barrier and the vehicle. The 
barrier and test vehicle are positioned so that at impact--
    (a) The vehicle is at rest in its normal attitude;
    (b) The barrier is traveling at 48 km/h with its face perpendicular 
to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle; and
    (c) A vertical plane through the geometric center of the barrier 
impact surface and perpendicular to that surface coincides with the 
longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.
* * * * *
    S7.5.1  The moving barrier, which is mounted on a carriage as 
specified in Figure 1, is of rigid construction, symmetrical about a 
vertical longitudinal plane. The contoured impact surface, which is 629 
mm high and 1,981 mm wide, conforms to the dimensions shown in Figure 
2, and is attached to the carriage as shown in that figure. The ground 
clearance to the lower edge of the impact surface is 133 mm 
<plus-minus> 13 mm. The wheelbase is 3,048 mm <plus-minus> 50 mm.
    S7.5.2  The moving contoured barrier, including the impact surface, 
supporting structure, and carriage, has a mass of 1,814.4 kg 
<plus-minus> 23 kg with the mass distributed so that 408 kg 
<plus-minus> 11 kg is at each rear wheel and 499 kg <plus-minus> 11 kg 
is at each front wheel. The center of gravity is located 1,372 mm 
<plus-minus> 38 mm rearward of the front wheel axis, in the vertical 
longitudinal plane of symmetry, 401 mm above the ground. The moment of 
inertia about the center of gravity is:

I<INF>x=367 kgm<SUP>2 <plus-minus> 18.4 kgm<SUP>2
I<INF>z=4,711 kgm<SUP>2 <plus-minus> 236 kgm<SUP>2
* * * * *
    S7.5.4  The moving barrier assembly is equipped with G78-15 
pneumatic

[[Page 19293]]

tires with a tread width of 152 mm <plus-minus> 25 mm, inflated to 165 
kPa.
    S7.5.5  The concrete surface upon which the vehicle is tested is 
level, rigid, and of uniform construction, with a skid number of 75 
when measured in accordance with American Society of Testing and 
Materials Method E: 274-65T at 64 km/h, omitting water delivery as 
specified in paragraph 7.1 of that method.
* * * * *
    30. Section 571.302 would be amended by revising S4.2; revising the 
text of S4.2.2; revising S4.3; revising S5.1; revising S5.1.1; revising 
S5.1.2; revising S5.1.3; revising S5.1.4; revising S5.2.1; revising 
S5.2.3; and revising S5.3 to read as follows:


Sec. 571.302,  Standard No. 302; Flammability of interior materials.

* * * * *
    S4.2  Any portion of a single or composite material which is within 
13 mm of the occupant compartment air space shall meet the requirements 
of S4.3
* * * * *
    S4.2.2   Any material that adheres to other materials at every 
point of contact shall meet the requirements of S4.3 when tested as a 
composite with the other material(s).
* * * * *
    Material A has a non-adhering interface with material B and is 
tested separately. Part of material B is within 13 mm of the occupant 
compartment air space, and materials B and C adhere at every pont of 
contact; therefore, B and C are tested as a composite. The cut is in 
material C as shown, to make a specimen 13 mm thick.
    S4.3(a) When tested in accordance with S5, material described in 
S4.1 and S4.2 shall not burn, nor transmit a flame front across its 
surface, at a rate of more than 102 mm per minute. The requirement 
concerning transmission of a flame front shall not apply to a surface 
created by cutting a test specimen for purposes of testing pursuant to 
S5.
    (b) If a material stops burning before it has burned for 60 seconds 
from the start of timing, and has not burned more than 51 mm from the 
point where the timing was started, it shall be considered to meet the 
burn-rate requirement of S4.3(a).
    S5.1  Conditions.
    S5.1.1  The test is conducted in a metal cabinet for protecting the 
test specimens from drafts. The interior of the cabinet is 381 mm long, 
203 mm deep, and 356 mm high. It has a glass observation window in the 
front, a closable opening to permit insertion of the specimen holder, 
and a hole to accommodate tubing for a gas burner. For ventilation, it 
has a 13 mm clearance space around the top of the cabinet, ten holes in 
the base of the cabinet, each hole 19 mm in diameter and legs to 
elevate the bottom of the cabinet by 10 mm, all located as shown in 
Figure 1.
    S5.1.2  Prior to testing, each specimen is conditioned for 24 hours 
at a temperature of 21 deg. C, and a relative humidity of 50 percent, 
and the test is conducted under those ambient conditions.
    S5.1.3  The test specimen is inserted between two matching U-shaped 
frames of metal stock 25 mm wide and 10 mm high. The interior 
dimensions of the U-shaped frames are 51 mm wide by 330 mm long. A 
specimen that softens and bends at the flaming end so as to cause 
erratic burning is kept horizontal by supports consisting of thin, 
heat-resistant wires, spanning the width of the U-shaped frame under 
the specimen at 25 mm intervals. A device that may be used for 
supporting this type of material is an additional U-shaped frame, wider 
than the U-shaped frame containing the specimen, spanned by 10-mil 
wires of heat-resistant composition at 25 mm intervals, inserted over 
the bottom U-shaped frame.
    S5.1.4  A bunsen burner with a tube of 10 mm inside diameter is 
used. The gas adjusting valve is set to provide a flame, with the tube 
vertical, of 38 mm in height. The air inlet to the burner is closed.
* * * * *
    S5.2  Preparation of specimens.
    S5.2.1  Each specimen of material to be tested shall be a rectangle 
102 mm wide by 356 mm long, wherever possible. The thickness of the 
specimen is that of the single or composite material used in the 
vehicle, except that if the material's thickness exceeds 13 mm, the 
specimen is cut down to that thickness measured from the surface of the 
specimen closest to the occupant compartment air space. Where it is not 
possible to obtain a flat specimen because of surface curvature, the 
specimen is cut to not more than 13 mm in thickness at any point. The 
maximum available length or width of a specimen is used where either 
dimension is less than 356 mm or 102 mm, respectively, unless surrogate 
testing is required under S4.1.1.
* * * * *
    S5.2.3  Material with a napped or tufted surface is placed on a 
flat surface and combed twice against the nap with a comb having seven 
to eight smooth, rounded teeth per 25 mm.
    S5.3  Procedure.
    (a) Mount the specimen so that both sides and one end are held by 
the U-shaped frame, and one end is even with the open end of the frame. 
Where the maximum available width of a specimen is not more than 51 mm, 
so that the sides of the specimen cannot be held in the U-shaped frame, 
place the specimen in position on wire supports as described in S5.1.3, 
with one end held by the closed end of the U-shaped frame.
    (b) Place the mounted specimen in a horizontal position, in the 
center of the cabinet.
    (c) With the flame adjusted according to S5.1.4, position the 
bunsen burner and specimen so that the center of the burner tip is 19 
mm below the center of the bottom edge of the open end of the specimen.
    (d) Expose the specimen to the flame for 15 seconds.
    (e) Begin timing (without reference to the period of application of 
the burner flame) when the flame from the burning specimen reaches a 
point 38 mm from the open end of the specimen.
    (f) Measure the time that it takes the flame to progress to a point 
38 mm from the clamped end of the specimen. If the flame does not reach 
the specified end point, time its progress to the point where flaming 
stops.
    (g) Calculate the burn rate from the formula:

B=60 x (D/T)
Where:
B=Burn rate in millimeters per minute
D=Length the flame travels in millimeters, and
T=Time in seconds for the flame to travel D millimeters.

    31. In Sec. 571.302, the Figure named ``Illustrative Example -
Occupant Compartment Air Space'' at S4.2.2 after the first sentence, 
and Figure 1, after S5.1.1 would be revised to read as follows:

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    Issued on: April 2, 1997.
L. Robert Shelton,
Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 97-9153 Filed 4-18-97; 8:45 am]
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