ID: nht91-7.31

DATE: December 5, 1991

FROM: Paul Jackson Rice -- Chief Counsel, NHTSA; (Signature by Steve Wood)

TO: Gene Byrd -- Legris Incorporated

TITLE: None

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 9-23-91 from Gene Byrd to Vernon Bloom (OCC 6551)

TEXT:

This responds to your September 23, 1991 letter asking about the air pressure requirement specified in S7.3.8 of Standard 106, Brake Hoses. Your letter has been referred to my office for reply.

Paragraph S7.3.8 states that an air brake hose assembly shall contain air pressure of 200 psi for 5 minutes without loss of more than 5 psi. You ask whether Standard 106 specifies the length of the hose for an assembly tested to S7.3.8. The answer is no; the standard does not have a generic specification for hose length. Instead, each brake hose assembly is required to meet this requirement as manufactured and sold.

For purposes of compliance testing, NHTSA obtains a brake hose assembly specimen by purchasing it on the market or directly from the manufacturer. The length of the hose might vary from assembly to assembly, depending on the particular configuration of an assembly. The assembly is tested as sold to obtain performance results that indicate the assembly's real world performance.

While S7.3.8 is a performance requirement for assemblies, we understand that your company (an end fitting manufacturer) seeks to ensure that an assembly made with your fitting will not fail to meet S7.3.8 due to the fitting. Since an assembly is tested to S7.3.8 in the configuration in which it is sold, you could test to the requirement using the length of hose that will be used with your fitting. Legris might be able to avoid duplicative tests by conducting "worst case" testing, such as tests using a fitting with a hose of a length most likely to exhibit an excessive loss of air pressure.

Please contact us if you have further questions.

ID: nht91-7.32

DATE: December 5, 1991

FROM: John H. Heinrich -- District Director, U.S. Customs Service, Department of Treasury; Kathleen M. Tobin -- Acting Director, Fines, Penalties & Forfeitures, U.S. Customs Service, DOT; Signature illegible

TO: Office of Chief Counsel, DOT

TITLE: None

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 1/9/92 from Paul Jackson Rice to John H. Heinrich (A39; Std. 211)

TEXT:

Enclosed find a petition for relief from the forfeiture of 200 Spinner Wheel Nuts seized by this service on October 8, 1991 as violative of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 571.211.

While thememorandum of November 13, 1991 from the importer to his broker and the broker's November 18, 1991 petition stress safety considerations and the need to "replace" worn parts, the importer's own parts list (page 26) refers to:

"....conversion kits...designed to CONVERT your disc wheeled TD or TF to wire wheels...These kits enhance the appearance of any TD and are identical to the original factory OPTION for the TF" (underlines added).

The petitioner expresses the opinion that these "imported spinners" should be exempt from any general DOT safety regulation.

Please provide us with your recommendation within 30 days.

ID: nht91-7.33

DATE: December 5,1991

FROM: Harvey D. Benson -- Chief Engineer, Landoll Corporation

TO: Richard Carter -- Office of Vehicle Safety Standards, NHTSA

TITLE: None

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 2/3/92 from Paul Jackson Rice to Harvey D. Benson (A39; Std. 121)

TEXT:

I need answers for two questions:

1. Is a HEAVY HAULER TRAILER required to have spring brades? We manufacture tandem and triple axle trailers with capacities up to 12O,OOO GVWR which have load carrying decks less than 40 inches above the ground. Our understanding of 49 CFR Ch V, 571.121 is that spring brakes are not required but there may be other regulations which apply.

I have had customers call stating that they were ticketed for not having spring brakes. I need a definitive statement referencing specific regulations to answer this question.

2. What are the requirements for bulkhead (cab protection) on truck chassis beds? We manufacture slide back beds mounted on single and tandem axle truck chassis. I have not been able to find requirements as to size and impact capacity for cab protecting bulkheads.

ID: nht91-7.34

DATE: December 6, 1991

FROM: Paul Jackson Rice -- Chief Counsel, NHTSA

TO: Michael E. Kastner -- Director of Government Relations, National Truck Equipment Association

TITLE: None

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 9-4-91 from Michael E. Kastner to Paul J. Rice (OCC 6447)

TEXT:

This responds to your letter of September 4, 1991, asking whether an altered vehicle label must be added under the following circumstances.

An NTEA member receives a truck which is certified as a completed vehicle. This vehicle has not yet been titled or registered for use in any state. The NTEA member then installs a piece of equipment. This piece of equipment would not be considered readily attachable, nor would this equipment modify the completed vehicle's weight ratings. Both the completed truck manufacturer and the equipment manufacturer have stated that installation of this equipment would not affect compliance with any federal motor vehicle safety standard.

If the modification you describe is performed prior to the first purchase in good faith of the vehicle for purposes other than resale, the answer to your question is yes. A person is considered an alterer if (1) they alter the vehicle in any manner "other than by the addition, substitution, or removal of readily attachable components ... or minor finishing operations," or (2) they alter "the vehicle is such a manner that its stated weight ratings are no longer valid." Since the conditions you describe involve equipment which is not readily attachable, the NTEA member would be considered an alterer.

If considered an alterer, the NTEA member would be subject to the certification requirements of 49 CFR S567.7. These requirements include provisions that the alterer supplement the existing manufacturer certification label, which must remain on the vehicle, by affixing an additional label. The label must state that the vehicle as altered conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. The label would also state the alterer and the month and the year in which the alterations were completed.

If the modification you describe is performed after the first purchase in good faith of the vehicle for purposes other than resale, the NTEA member would not be considered an alterer and an alteration label would not have to be attached. Under these conditions, the only provision in Federal law that affects the vehicle's continuing compliance with applicable safety standards is set forth in section 108(a)(2)(A) of the Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 1397(a)(2)(A)). That section provides:

No manufacturer, distributor, dealer, or motor vehicle repair business shall knowingly render inoperative, in whole or in part, any device or element of design installed on or in a motor vehicle ... in compliance with an applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standard.

In general, this "render inoperative" provision would require any of these named entities to ensure that any additional equipment installed in a vehicle would not negatively affect the compliance of any component or design on the vehicle with applicable safety standards. Violations of S108(a)(2)(A) are punishable by civil fines up to $1,000 per violation.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please contact Mary Versailles of my staff at this address or my telephone at (202) 366-2992.

ID: nht91-7.35

DATE: December 6, 1991

FROM: Paul Jackson Rice -- Chief Counsel, NHTSA

TO: Floyd J. Barkman -- Vice President Sales & Marketing, Collins Bus Corporation

TITLE: None

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 10-16-91 from Floyd J. Barkman to Susan Schruth (OCC 6589)

TEXT:

This responds to your letter of October 16, 1991, to Ms. Susan Schruth of the Urban Mass Transportation Administration. Because your questions concern a final rule issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ms. Schruth has referred your letter to our office for response. Your questions are as follows.

1. Based on a final ruling that went into effect September 1, 1991, all MPV and/or buses with a gross vehicle weight less than 10,000 pounds are required to have Type 1 or Type 2 occupant restraints at all seated positions. Also, all outboard occupants or passengers are required to have three point shoulder harness. We also understand school buses are exempt from the outboard shoulder harness. Are these statements correct and are there any exceptions to these rulings?

Your understanding of the September 1, 1991, final rule is correct. The only exception to these requirements is that the rear-seat lap/shoulder belt requirement does not apply to rear outboard seating positions located adjacent to a walkway located between the seat and the side of the vehicle to allow access to more rearward seating positions. I am enclosing a copy of the Federal Register notice for this final rule. A discussion of this exception is found on page 46258. A discussion of the agency's rationale for excluding small school buses from the rear-seat lap/shoulder belt requirement is found on page 46260 of the same notice.

2. We build under 10,000 GVW buses for the day care industry that use school bus interiors with school bus safety seats and lap belts at all locations. The exterior of the bus is commercial. Would these buses require the outboard shoulder harness?

The answer to this question depends on whether these vehicles are classified as school buses. Under NHTSA's certification requirements (49 CFR Part 567), a vehicle's type is determined using the definitions set out in 49 CFR S571.3. A school bus is defined as a motor vehicle designed for carrying 11 or more persons, including a driver, to and from school or school-related events. A program for pre-primary age children is considered a school if the program is primarily educational rather than custodial in nature. If your vehicle is a not a school bus, it must comply with the rear-seat lap/shoulder belt requirement. If the vehicle is a school bus, it does not have to comply with this requirement.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please contact Mary Versailles of my staff at this address or by telephone at (202) 366-2992.

Attached to Federal Register 49 CFR Part 571 pages 46257 - 46268 (text omitted)

ID: nht91-7.36

DATE: December 9, 1991

FROM: Michael A. Martin -- Program Manager, Bureau of Highway Safety, State House Station 42, Augusta, Maine

TO: Mary Versailles -- Office of Chief Counsel, NHTSA

TITLE: None

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 2/14/92 from Paul Jackson Rice to Michael A. Martin (A39; VSA 103(d); Std. 108; Std. 222); Also attached to letter from Erika Z. Jones to Martin V. Chauvin

TEXT:

In follow-up to our telephone conversation of November 20 concerning federal school bus safety standards and a state's ability to make improvements beyond those standards would you please provide a written response to the following.

First, what is the general rule to which states need to comply with regarding federal school bus safety standards? What bus safety modifications would not be restricted by 15 U.S.C. 1392(d)?

Would federal school bus safety standards restrict a state from requiring safety belts on school buses?

Could a school bus fleet modify the rear lighting configuration on their buses (8 light system) to reduce the potential for other vehicles rear-ending buses during poor visibility conditions e.g., fog? Please refer to the attached diagram. The proposed change is to replace the white 8 inch back-up lights with 8 inch red sealed beam warning lights similar to the two at the upper level of the rear end of the bus. These would flash in an alternating criss-cross fashion when the bus is stopped loading or discharging students. The small white lights at the lowest level of the rear end of the bus would each be replaced with white, universal backup lights angled to also direct their beams at 45 degree angles out from the rear of the bus. This would greatly improve the driver's ability to see when backing the bus in a direction both behind and to the side of the bus.

I would appreciate your interpretation of what safety modifications a state may propose that would definitely be preempted by federal school bus safety standards.

Thank you for your assistance.

Attachments

Drawing entitled Rear End of School Bus, Current System. Drawing entitled Rear End of School Bus, Proposed System. (Drawings omitted)

ID: nht91-7.37

DATE: December 9, 1991

FROM: Hanno Westermann -- Hella KG Hueck & Co.; Olaf Schmidt -- Hella KG Hueck & Co.

TO: Richard L. van Iderstine -- NHTSA

TITLE: Definition of 2 or 4 Headlamp System

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 3/5/92 from Paul Jackson Rice to Herrn. Westermann u. Schmidt (A39; Std. 108)

TEXT:

Since the great revision of FMVSS No. 108 by Docket 85-15, Notice 12 of February 8, 1990, we are missing a paragraph clarifying the definition of a 2 or 4 headlamp system respectively.

In the former version of 108, this definition was done under para. S4.1.1.36, but today there only remains figure 26, which explains the application of photometric requirements with respect to the bulb or bulb combination used.

We assume that no changes to the sense of 108 have been made for this matter so that our remarks could be added to FMVSS 108 by short term to avoid the current discrepancies between headlamp manufacturers and the test laboratories.

Attached you will find a sketch representing our understanding of the definition of a 2 or 4 lamp system, deriving from the former 108.

Many thanks for your endeavours in this and

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Attachment

Drawings of Replaceable Bulb Headlamp Systems. (Graphics omitted)

ID: nht91-7.38

DATE: December 10, 1991

FROM: Paul Jackson Rice -- Chief Counsel, NHTSA (Signature by Kenneth A. Weinstein)

TO: James E. Scapellato -- Director, Office of Motor Carrier Standards, FHWA

TITLE: Re Standard No. 108 (Heavy duty trailers) Lamps and Reflectors

TEXT:

This responds to your memorandum of November 20, 1991, asking whether Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108 permits a trailer manufacturer "to equip a heavy-duty flatbed trailer with amber tail lamps in combination with its rear turn signal lamps." Such a combination lamp would be adjacent to combination red stop and taillamps.

Standard No. 108 does not directly answer this question. Table II of the standard requires the trailer to be equipped with a pair of red taillamps. Section S5.1.3 of Standard No. 108 prohibits the installation of supplementary lighting equipment "that impairs the effectiveness of lighting equipment required by this standard." Thus, the question is whether the installation of amber taillamps would impair the effectiveness of the trailer's amber turn signal lamps, red stop lamps, and red taillamps. Although the determination of impairment is initially that of the vehicle's manufacturer in certifying compliance of the vehicle to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards, NHTSA may review that determination, and, if clearly erroneous, inform the manufacturer of its views.

In this instance, NHTSA believes there is a substantial possibility of impairment of the effectiveness of other rear lamps. When combined with an amber turn signal lamp, the intensity of an amber taillamp might mask the turn signal in operation. Because motorists are not used to seeing steady burning amber lamps on the rear of vehicles, amber taillamps could lead to momentary confusion of a driver following the trailer when the stop lamps are activated, thereby impairing the effectiveness of the stop signal. The presence of simultaneously burning amber and red taillamps could also create some confusion of a following driver approaching the trailer from around a corner to its rear. Thus, we have concluded that a combination amber turn signal and taillamp is implicitly prohibited by Standard No. 108.

ID: nht91-7.39

DATE: December 10, 1991

FROM: Paul Jackson Rice -- Chief Counsel, NHTSA; Signature by K. Weinstein)

TO: Frank Vestergaard -- M-CO Denmark

TITLE: None

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 10-16-91 from Frank Vestergaard to NHTSA (OCC 6641)

TEXT:

This responds to your letter requesting information regarding legal requirements with which your company must comply before selling your item of motor vehicle equipment, the "Warn-Mill," that warns of the presence of halted vehicles. As explained below, your device must conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 125, Warning Devices (49 CFR S571.125), if it is to be imported into the United States.

In your letter, you stated that the "Warn-Mill" is intended to warn of the presence of halted vehicles, and is intended as a supplement to the "statutory warning triangle." Although no size dimensions were provided, you provided a description of the "Warn-Mill" as a "strong reflecting white triangle, surrounded by red frame, mounted at a magnet foot to be placed at the roof of a halted vehicle." I am pleased to have this opportunity to explain our law and regulations to you.

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.; the Safety Act) gives this agency the authority to issue safety standards applicable to new motor vehicles and new items of motor vehicle equipment. This agency has exercised this authority to establish Standard No. 125. S3 of Standard No. 125 states that the standard "applies to devices, without self-contained energy sources, that are designed to be carried in motor vehicles, and used to warn approaching traffic of the presence of a stopped vehicle, except for devices designed to be permanently affixed to the vehicle."

It appears that the "Warn-Mill" would be subject to the requirements of Standard No. 125. The "Warn-Mill" has no self-contained energy source and is designed to be carried in motor vehicles. You state that it is to be used to warn of the presence of a stopped vehicle. The "Warn-Mill" is not designed to be permanently affixed to the vehicle because your letter states that it is designed to fall off the vehicle if the vehicle is driven with the "Warn-Mill" still attached.

I note from your letter that your company intends the "Warn-Mill" as a supplement to the "statutory warning triangle." This agency does not recognize such supplements. Since the "Warn Mill" fulfills the applicability criteria of Standard No. 125, it is a "warning device," within the meaning of the standard, and it must comply with all applicable requirements of that standard. From the enclosed copy of Standard No. 125, you will see that some of the specific requirements with which the "Warn-Mill" must conform include minimum size, durability,

material, container, labeling, configuration, color, reflectivity, luminance, and stability. Based upon the information provided in your letter, it does not appear that the "Warn Mill" complies with the stability requirements in S5.6, because the stability testing is done by placing the warning device on a horizontal brushed concrete surface.

When the agency has issued an applicable safety standard, section 108(a)(1)(A) of the Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 1397(a)(1)(A)) provides that no person shall "manufacture for sale, sell, offer for sale, or introduce or deliver for introduction in interstate commerce, or import into the United States" any new motor vehicle or new item of motor vehicle equipment unless the vehicles or equipment are in conformity with all applicable standards and are covered by a certification issued under section 114 of the Safety Act. Unlike jurisdictions in which the vehicles and items of equipment to be offered for sale must be delivered to a governmental entity for testing and approval before they can be sold, the Safety Act gives this agency no authority to approve, endorse, or offer assurances of compliance to any commercial product.

Instead, section 114 of the Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 1403) establishes a self-certification process under which every manufacturer is required to certify that each of its products meets all applicable Federal safety standards. The manufacturer's certification need not be based on actual tests in accordance with the standard. United States law only requires that the manufacturer's certification be made with the exercise of "due care" on the part of the manufacturer. It is up to the individual manufacturer in the first instance to determine what test results, engineering analyses, computer simulations, or other information it needs to certify compliance with the applicable safety standards. Once the manufacturer has made this determination and certified its product in accordance with the applicable standard, it is free to offer the product for sale in the United States. The agency periodically tests vehicles and items of equipment that have been certified by the manufacturer to ensure that they do, in fact, comply with the safety standards. NHTSA also investigates alleged defects related to motor vehicle safety.

Please also note that the Safety Act establishes a civil penalty of $1,000 for each violation of a safety standard and a maximum penalty of $800,000 for a series of violations. In addition, the Act requires manufacturers to notify purchasers and remedy any items of motor vehicle equipment, such as warning devices, that do not conform with any applicable safety standards.

You should also be aware of two other provisions of our regulations. One is 49 CFR S551.45, Service of process on foreign manufacturers and importers, which requires manufacturers and importers of motor vehicle equipment, before offering such items for importation into the United States, to designate an agent in the United States upon whom service of all legal notices may be made. The other is 49 CFR Part 566, Manufacturer Identification, which requires manufacturers of motor vehicle equipment to submit to this agency identifying information and a description of the items of motor vehicle equipment produced. I am, for your information, enclosing copies of both of these regulatory provisions.

I have also enclosed an information sheet for new manufacturers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment that briefly summarizes our laws and regulations and explains how to get copies of those laws and regulations. If you have any further questions or need additional information on this subject, please feel free to write to me.

Attachments

Copy of 49 CFR Ch. V (10-1-90 Edition) pertaining to Sections:

571.125: Standard No. 125: Warning devices and Accelerator control systems; 551.45: Service of process on foreign manufacturers and importers; 552: Petitions for rulemaking, defect, and noncompliance orders; 566: Manufacturer identification; and 567: Certification

Copy of the NHTSA information sheet dated September, 1985 entitled Information for New Manufacturers of Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment.

Copy of the NHTSA information sheet dated September, 1985 entitled Where to Obtain Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Requlations

(Text of attachments omitted.)

ID: nht91-7.4

DATE: November 11, 1991

FROM: Wallace F. Forbes -- Planar Support Systems, Inc.

TO: Office of the Chief Counsel, NHTSA

TITLE: None

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 12-30-91 from Paul Jackson Rice to Wallace F. Forbes (A38; VSA 102(4); VSA 108(a)(2)(A))

TEXT:

Our company is in the process of designing a portable back support product which people would be likely to use in their automobiles as well as in other environments.

In view of its possible use in automobiles, we would like to be advised of any safety standards, guidelines or requirements that may pertain to such a product or the materials used in its construction. This back support system will include a headrest as an optional feature.

Thank you for your advice.