Interpretation ID: nht89-3.53

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: DECEMBER 11, 1989

FROM: JOE DABROWSKI -- VP ENGINEERING TMC/MCI, TRANSPORTATION MANUFACTURING CORP. TO: FRANK BERNDT -- ACTING CHIEF COUNSEL, NHTSA

TITLE: NONE

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 4-9-90 TO R. W. SCHREYER FROM STEPHEN P. WOOD; (A35; STD. 210). ALSO ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 3-5-90 TO HARRY THOMPSON FROM R. W. SCHREYER, LETTER DATED 3-22-89 TO KEITH A. MCDOWELL FROM ERIKA Z. JONES, AND LETTER DATED 3-25-77 TO ROBERT B. KURRE, WAYNE CORPORATION, FROM FRANK BERNDT. TEXT:

During the 1989 SAE Truck & Bus meeting held in Charlotte, N.C., I met with a Dale Guthrie, Engineering Manager for Thomas Built Buses. During the course of our meeting, our conversation turned to seat belts and he advised me of a letter (copy attached) he received from you responding to his inquiry as to an interpretation of the requirements of Standard 210, Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.

In particular, my inquiry addresses how much force must be used when testing seat belt anchorages in Intercity coaches to certify compliance with the standard and whether it is necessary to test simultaneously all seat belt assemblies as called out in St andard No. 207, Seating Systems.

If we can use the same interpretation that the referenced letter addresses, we would be able to comply with some of the requests we are receiving for seat belts in intercity buses.

Your attention to this matter and prompt reply are appreciated.