1. Standardized Child Passenger Safety Training Program Winter 2004
Federal Role & Safety Standards

2. Objectives Functions of NHTSA
Federal regulations affecting occupant protection
After market products
Federal Role & Standards - 2

3. Functions of NHTSA Education Enforcement Research Regulations
Compliance Testing / Defect Investigation
Federal Role & Standards - 3

4. FMVSS 208 – Vehicle Restraints
Summary of current standard:
Safety belts in all positions
CSS lockability requirement after 1995
Lap and shoulder belts in all outboard positions (soon - all rear positions)
Frontal air bags in all vehicles
Federal Role & Standards - 4

5. FMVSS 213 – Child Restraints
All CRS sold in US for children up to 65 pounds
Sets specific minimum performance and design standards
Federal Role & Standards - 5

6. Crash Testing Simulates 30 mph frontal crash into a solid barrier
Using a standardized bench seat
Using lap belt (except BPB)
Federal Role & Standards - 6

7. Summary of the Current Performance Standards
Rear-facing CRS
Rotate forward no more than 70° from vertical
No force levels set for rear-facing CRS dummies
Forward-facing CRS
No more than 28” head excursion (may use tether to meet 28” limit)
Must also meet 32” head excursion limit without a tether
No more than 36” knee excursion
Head injury criterion
Chest acceleration
Manufacturers self certify compliance
Federal Role & Standards - 7

8. Rear-Facing Test Criteria
Maximum Angle of back support
< 70o from vertical
Pre-test
35°
from vertical
During Test
65°
from vertical
Courtesy of Kathleen Weber, Child Passenger Protection Research Program,
University of Michigan Medical School
Federal Role & Standards - 8

9. Forward-Facing Test Criteria
Head excursion: < 720mm (28 in.) & < 813mm (32 in.)
Knee excursion: < 915mm (36 in.)
813
720
915
Courtesy of Kathleen Weber, CPS Research Program, University of Michigan Medical School
Federal Role & Standards - 9

10. Label Requirements Weight & size guidelines
Basic use, installation & warnings
Air bag warning on rear-facing CRS
Manufacturer’s identification and 213 certification
Model number & date
Federal Role & Standards - 10

11. Dummies Used For CR Compliance Testing
Dummies used in tests represent an average-size (50th percentile) child of the age specified
Instrumented dummies can measure head and chest acceleration (33lbs & 47lbs)
The newborn dummy and 9-month dummy are not instrumented
Federal Role & Standards - 11

12. Crash Test Dummies Used For FMVSS 213 Compliance Testing
Current
7 pounds (Newborn)
20 pounds (9 months)
33 pounds (3 years)
47 pounds (6 years)
New after 8/1/05
22 pounds (12 month)
34 pounds (3 years)
52 pounds (6 years)
62 pounds (weighted 6 years)
Federal Role & Standards - 12

13. FMVSS 213 - CRS LATCH Requirements
CRS must have tether attached if needed to meet 28” head excursion limit
CRS must be equipped with two lower attachments
Lower attachments may be flexible or rigid
Federal Role & Standards - 13

14. FMVSS 225 - Vehicle LATCH Requirements
At least 2 rear seating positions with lower anchors
3 tether anchorage locations in rear
Can substitute integrated CRS in one seating position
Federal Role & Standards - 14

15. Aftermarket Products
Moves belt too high on to abdomen
NO current federal standard for testing or regulation
Many products may mislead one to believe that they meet federal safety standards
Federal Role & Standards - 15

16. Aftermarket Products Shoulder belt positioning devices
Infant head-positioning pads and head rests
Similar items which come with CRS are tested with CRS
Seat saver mats
Toys that attach to CRs
Safety belt buckle covers
Safety belt add-ons
Safety belt locking devices
Padding too thick - no slots for harness
Federal Role & Standards - 16

17. TREAD Re: CRS
Improve safety of CRs through rulemaking (new dummies, new tests, etc.)
Clearer/simpler instructions/labels
CRS ratings
Booster seat study
5-year strategic plan to protect 4-8 year olds
Federal Role & Standards - 17

18. Anton’s Law Performance requirements for CRSs for children over 50 lbs
Develop 10-year-old dummy
Require lap and shoulder combination belt in center-rear seating position
Evaluate integrated CRSs
Federal Role & Standards - 18

19. CRS Ease-of-Use Ratings
Overall grade of A, B, or C based on average of grades from 5 categories
Pre-assembled vs. assembly required
Clarity of labeling on CRS
Clarity of written instructions
Ease of securing child in CRS
Ease of installing CRS in vehicle
Federal Role & Standards - 19

20. Identifying Recalled Child Restraints Hands-on Exercise
Locate CR labels
Record
Restraint Brand
Model Number
Manufactured Date
Using a current recall list determine and record recall status
What was the identified problem?
Federal Role & Standards - 20