Standardized Child Passenger Safety Training Program Winter 2004 Vehicle Occupant Protection Systems

Objectives Identify types of occupant protection systems Describe kinds of safety belts and the protection offered by each List and describe the parts and advantages of a safety belt Demonstrate the use of occupant protection systems Explain the types of air bags and how they work Explain best practice for occupant protection systems after a crash Occupant Protection Systems - 2

Types of Occupant Protection Passive Protection features built into the vehicle protects without any action by the occupant Active Protection features require action by the occupant Occupant Protection Systems - 3

Passive Protection: Automatic Safety Belts Door mounted shoulder belt with knee bolster Track mounted shoulder belt with manual lap belt Door mounted automatic lap & shoulder 1 2 3 Occupant Protection Systems - 4

Passive Protection: Air Bags FRONTAL: Driver, Passenger and Knee HEAD: Tube and Curtain CHEST: Door and Seat Mounted Occupant Protection Systems - 5

Other Passive Protection Crushable frames Reinforced passenger compartment Friendly interior Padding Head restraints Laminated windshields Recessed knobs Occupant Protection Systems - 6

Active Protection Lap belts “2-point” Lap and shoulder belts “3-point” Child restraint systems Occupant Protection Systems - 7

Air Bags: Frontal Driver Passenger Knee Occupant Protection Systems - 8

Side Air Bags Chest Chest/Head Head only Occupant Protection Systems - 9

Air Bag Warnings Always on sun visor Sometimes on airbag cover Sometimes inside door Sometimes on safety belt or vehicle seat Can be almost anywhere Occupant Protection Systems - 10

Air Bag Markings SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) SIR (Supplemental Inflatable Restraint) AIR BAG SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) SIAB (Side Impact Air Bag) IC (Inflatable Curtain) Occupant Protection Systems - 11

Air Bag On-Off Switches Rule exempts dealers and repair businesses from the prohibition against making required safety equipment inoperative. Beginning January 1998, manual on-off switches may be installed in vehicles owned by persons whose requests for switches have been approved by NHTSA. Occupant Protection Systems - 12

Air Bag On-Off Switches Circumstances permitted: MUST transport rear-facing infant in front seat MUST transport children under 12 in front Drivers who can not change driving position (10” from air bag) Medical condition Must read an informational brochure Send request to NHTSA Occupant Protection Systems - 13

Parts of a Safety Belt Webbing Anchor Points Latch Plate Buckle Retractor Occupant Protection Systems - 14

Types of Latch Plates Locking Sliding Sewn Switchable Occupant Protection Systems - 15

Locking Latch Plate Locked Locking Bar Not Locked Occupant Protection Systems - 16

Cinching/Lightweight Locking Latch Plates Some may release when enough pressure is applied Occupant Protection Systems - 17

Sliding Latch Plates Occupant Protection Systems - 18

Sewn Latch Plates Lap Only Lap and Shoulder Occupant Protection Systems - 19

Switchable Latch Plate Adult Sliding Latch Plate Position Child Restraint Locking Latch Plate Position Occupant Protection Systems - 20

Types of Retractors Automatic Locking (ALR) Emergency Locking (ELR) Switchable Occupant Protection Systems - 21

Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) Allows belt to be pulled in one motion until fastened Then operates as a ratchet, winding in slack, preventing further extension (until completely rewound) Webbing Ratchet Occupant Protection Systems - 22

Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) Occupant Protection Systems - 23

Switchable Retractor Manually adjusted from ELR to ALR Most pull all webbing out for switch to ALR Others have a button for switch to ALR Occupant Protection Systems - 24

Other Safety Belt Features Features vary from vehicle to vehicle See vehicle owner’s manual Occupant Protection Systems - 25

Occupant Protection Systems After a Crash Most occupant protection systems are generally one-time use Recommendations regarding CRS replacement vary Occupant Protection Systems - 26

Child Restraints After a Crash NHTSA criteria to determine if a crash is severe enough to warrant CRS replacement - A crash is considered minor if ALL are met: Visual inspection does not reveal any cracks or deformities Vehicle with CRS installed can be driven from the scene Vehicle door nearest CRS is undamaged No injuries to any occupants Air bags did not deploy Occupant Protection Systems - 27

Occupant Protection Systems: Hands-On Exercise Identify belt systems in all seating positions Identify latch plates in all seating positions Identify retractors in all seating positions Identify air bag placements Occupant Protection Systems - 28

Occupant Protection Systems: Hands-On Exercise