WAIS Document Retrieval[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 5, Parts 400 to 999]

[Revised as of October 1, 1999]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 49CFR571.214]

[Page 572-583]

TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

CHAPTER V--NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC

SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT

OF TRANSPORTATION

PART 571--FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents

Subpart B--Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

Sec. 571.214 Standard No. 214; Side impact protection.

S1. Scope and purpose.

(a) Scope. This standard specifies performance requirements for

protection of occupants in side impact crashes.

(b) Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to reduce the risk of

serious and fatal injury to occupants of passenger cars, multipurpose

passenger vehicles, trucks and buses in side impact crashes by

specifying vehicle crashworthiness requirements in terms of

accelerations measured on anthropomorphic dummies in test crashes, by

specifying strength requirements for side doors, and by other means.

S2. This standard applies to--

(a) Passenger cars;

(b) Effective September 1, 1993, sections S3(a), S3(e), S3.1 through

S3.2.3, and S4 of the standard apply to multipurpose passenger vehicles,

trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less, except for walk-

in vans; and

standard apply to multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses with

a GVWR of 6,000 pounds or less, except for walk-in vans, motor homes,

tow trucks, dump trucks, ambulances and other emergency rescue/medical

vehicles (including vehicles with fire-fighting equipment), vehicles

equipped with wheelchair lifts, and vehicles which have no doors or

exclusively have doors that are designed to be easily attached or

removed so the vehicle can be operated without doors.

S2.1 Definitions.

Contoured means, with respect to a door, that the lower portion of

its front or rear edge is curved upward, typically to conform to a wheel

well.

Double side doors means a pair of hinged doors with the lock and

latch mechanisms located where the door lips overlap.

Walk-in van means a van in which a person can enter the occupant

compartment in an upright position.

S3. Requirements. (a)(1) Except as provided in section S3(e), each

passenger car shall be able to meet the requirements of either, at the

manufacturer's option, S3.1 or S3.2, when any of its side doors that can

be used for occupant egress is tested according to S4.

(2) Except as provided in section S3(e), each multipurpose passenger

vehicle, truck and bus manufactured on or after September 1, 1994 shall

be able to meet the requirements of either, at the manufacturer's

option, S3.1 or S3.2, when any of its side doors that can be used for

occupant egress is tested according to S4.

(b) When tested under the conditions of S6, each pasenger car

manufactured on or after September 1, 1996 shall meet the requirements

of S5.1, S5.2, and S5.3 in a 33.5 miles per hour impact in which the car

is struck on either side by a moving deformable barrier. Part 572,

subpart F test dummies are placed in the front and rear outboard seating

positions on the struck side of the car. However, the rear seat

requirements do not apply to passenger cars with a wheelbase greater

than 130 inches, or to passenger cars which have rear seating areas that

are so small that the part 572, subpart F dummies cannot be accommodated

according to the positioning procedure specified in S7.

September 1, 1993 to August 31, 1996, a specified percentage of each

manufacturer's yearly passenger car production, as set forth in S8,

shall, when tested under the conditions of S6, meet the requirements of

S5.1, S5.2, and S5.3 in a 33.5 miles per hour impact in which the car is

struck on either side by a moving deformable barrier. Part 572, subpart

F test dummies are placed in the front and rear outboard seating

positions on the struck side of the car. However, the rear seat

requirements do not apply to passenger cars with a wheelbase greater

than 130 inches, or to passenger cars which have rear seating areas that

are so small that the part 572, subpart F dummies cannot be accommodated

according to the positioning procedure specified in S7.

[[Page 573]]

(d) A manufacturer may, at its option, comply with the requirements

of this paragraph instead of paragraph (c) of this section. When tested

under the conditions of S6, each passenger car manufactured from

September 1, 1994 to August 31, 1996 shall meet the requirements of

S5.1, S5.2, and S5.3 in a 33.5 miles per hour impact in which the car is

struck on either side by a moving deformable barrier. Part 572, subpart

F test dummies are placed in the front and rear outboard seating

positions on the struck side of the car. However, the rear seat

requirements do not apply to passenger cars with a wheelbase greater

than 130 inches, or to passenger cars which have rear seating areas that

are so small that the part 572, subpart F dummies cannot be accommodated

according to the positioning procedure specified in S7.

(e) A vehicle need not meet the requirements of sections S3.1 or

S3.2 for--

(1) Any side door located so that no point on a ten-inch horizontal

longitudinal line passing through and bisected by the H-point of a

manikin placed in any seat, with the seat adjusted to any position and

the seat back adjusted as specified in Section S6.4, falls within the

transverse, horizontal projection of the door's opening,

(2) Any side door located so that no point on a ten-inch horizontal

longitudinal line passing through and bisected by the H-point of a

manikin placed in any seat recommended by the manufacturer for

installation in a location for which seat anchorage hardware is

provided, with the seat adjusted to any position and the seat back

adjusted as specified in section S6.4, falls within the transverse,

horizontal projection of the door's opening,

(3) Any side door located so that a portion of a seat, with the seat

adjusted to any position and the seat back adjusted as specified in

section S6.4, falls within the transverse, horizontal protection of the

door's opening, but a longitudinal vertical plane tangent to the

outboard side of the seat cushion is more than 10 inches from the

innermost point on the inside surface of the door at a height between

the H-point and shoulder reference point (as shown in figure 1 of the

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210) and longitudinally

between the front edge of the cushion with the seat adjusted to its

forwardmost position and the rear edge of the cushion with the seat

adjusted to its rearmost position.

(4) Any side door that is designed to be easily attached to or

removed (e.g., using simple hand tools such as pliers and/or a screw

driver) from a motor vehicle manufactured for operation without doors.

(f) When tested according to the conditions of S6, each multipurpose

passenger vehicle, truck and bus manufactured on or after September 1,

1998, shall meet the requirements of S5.1, S5.2, and S5.3 in a 33.5

miles per hour impact in which the vehicle is struck on either side by a

moving deformable barrier. A part 572, subpart F test dummy is placed in

the front outboard seating position on the struck side of the vehicle,

and if the vehicle is equipped with rear seats, then another part 572,

subpart F test dummy is placed on the outboard seating position of the

second seat on the struck side of the vehicle. However, the second seat

requirements do not apply to side-facing seats or to vehicles that have

second seating areas that are so small that the part 572, subpart F

dummy can not be accommodated according to the positioning procedure

specified in S7.

S3.1 With any seats that may affect load upon or deflection of the

side of the vehicle removed from the vehicle, each vehicle must be able

to meet the requirements of S3.1.1 through S3.1.3.

S3.1.1 Initial crush resistance. The initial crush resistance shall

not be less than 2,250 pounds.

S3.1.2 Intermediate crush resistance. The intermediate crush

resistance shall not be less than 3,500 pounds.

S3.1.3 Peak crush resistance. The peak crush resistance shall not

be less than two times the curb weight of the vehicle or 7,000 pounds,

whichever is less.

S3.2 With seats installed in the vehicle, and located in any

horizontal or vertical position to which they can be adjusted and at any

seat back angle to which they can be adjusted, each vehicle must be able

to meet the requirements of S3.2.1 through S3.2.3.

[[Page 574]]

S3.2.1 Initial crush resistance. The initial crush resistance shall

not be less than 2,250 pounds.

S3.2.2 Intermediate crush resistance. The intermediate crush

resistance shall not be less than 4,375 pounds.

S3.2.3 Peak crush resistance. The peak crush resistance shall not

be less than three and one half times the curb weight of the vehicle or

12,000 pounds, whichever is less.

S4. Test procedures. The following procedures apply to determining

compliance with paragraph S3:

(a) Place side windows in their uppermost position and all doors in

locked position. Place the sill of the side of the vehicle opposite to

the side being tested against a rigid unyielding vertical surface. Fix

the vehicle rigidly in position by means of tiedown attachments located

at or forward of the front wheel centerline and at or rearward of the

rear wheel centerline.

(b) Prepare a loading device consisting of a rigid steel cylinder or

semicylinder 305 mm (12 inches) in diameter with an edge radius of 13 mm

(\1/2\ inch). The length of the loading device shall be such that--

(1) For doors with windows, the top surface of the loading device is

at least 13 mm (\1/2\ inch) above the bottom edge of the door window

opening but not of a length that will cause contact with any structure

above the bottom edge of the door window opening during the test.

(2) For doors without windows, the top surface of the loading device

is at the same height above the ground as when the loading device is

positioned in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section for

purposes of testing a front door with windows on the same vehicle.

this section so that--

(1) Its longitudinal axis is vertical.

(2) Except as provided in paragraphs (c)(2) (i) and (ii) of this

section, its longitudinal axis is laterally opposite the midpoint of a

horizontal line drawn across the outer surface of the door 127 mm (5

inches) above the lowest point of the door, exclusive of any decorative

or protective molding that is not permanently affixed to the door panel.

(i) For contoured doors on trucks, buses, and multipurpose passenger

vehicles with a GVWR of 4,545 kg (10,000 pounds) or less, if the length

of the horizontal line specified in (c)(2) is not equal to or greater

than 559 mm (22 inches), the line is moved vertically up the side of the

door to the point at which the line is 559 mm (22 inches) long. The

longitudinal axis of the loading device is then located laterally

opposite the midpoint of that line.

(ii) For double side doors on trucks, buses, and multipurpose

passenger vehicles with a GVWR of 4,545 kg (10,000 pounds) or less, its

longitudinal axis is laterally opposite the midpoint of a horizontal

line drawn across the outer surface of the double door span, 127 mm (5

inches) above the lowest point on the doors, exclusive of any decorative

or protective molding that is not permanently affixed to the door panel.

(3) Except as provided in paragraphs (c)(3) (i) and (ii) of this

section, its bottom surface is in the same horizontal plane as the

horizontal line drawn across the outer surface of the door 127 mm (5

inches) above the lowest point of the door, exclusive of any decorative

or protective molding that is not permanently affixed to the door panel.

(i) For contoured doors on trucks, buses, and multipurpose passenger

vehicles with a GVWR of 4,545 kg (10,000 pounds) or less, its bottom

surface is in the lowest horizontal plane such that every point on the

lateral projection of the bottom surface of the device on the door is at

least 127 mm (5 inches), horizontally and vertically, from any edge of

the door panel, exclusive of any decorative or protective molding that

is not permanently affixed to the door panel.

(ii) For double side doors, its bottom surface is in the same

horizontal plane as a horizontal line drawn across the outer surface of

the double door span, 127 mm (5 inches) above the lowest point of the

doors, exclusive of any decorative or protective molding that is not

permanently affixed to the door panel.

(d) Using the loading device, apply a load to the outer surface of

the door in an inboard direction normal to a

[[Page 575]]

vertical plane along the vehicle's longitudinal centerline. Apply the

load continuously such that the loading device travel rate does not

exceed one-half inch per second until the loading device travels 18

inches. Guide the loading device to prevent it from being rotated or

displaced from its direction of travel. The test must be completed

within 120 seconds.

(e) Record applied load versus displacement of the loading device,

either continuously or in increments of not more than 1 inch or 200

pounds for the entire crush distance of 18 inches.

(f) Determine the initial crush resistance, intermediate crush

resistance, and peak crush resistance as follows:

(1) From the results recorded in paragraph (e) of this section, plot

a curve of load versus displacement and obtain the integral of the

applied load with respect to the crush distances specified in paragraphs

(f) (2) and (3) of this section. These quantities, expressed in inch-

pounds and divided by the specified crush distances, represent the

average forces in pounds required to deflect the door those distances.

(2) The initial crush resistance is the average force required to

deform the door over the initial 6 inches of crush.

(3) The intermediate crush resistance is the average force required

to deform the door over the initial 12 inches of crush.

(4) The peak crush resistance is the largest force recorded over the

entire 18-inch crush distance.

[[Page 576]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC01AU91.110

S5. Dynamic performance requirements.

S5.1 Thorax. The Thoracic Trauma Index (TTI(d)) shall not exceed:

(a) 85 g for a passenger car with four side doors, and for any

multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck, or bus; and,

(b) 90 g for a passenger car with two side doors, when calculated in

accordance with the following formula:

TTI(d) = 1/2 (G<INF>R</INF> + G<INF>LS</INF>)

The term ``G<INF>R</INF>'' is the greater of the peak accelerations of

either the upper or lower rib, expressed in g's and the term

``G<INF>LS</INF>'' is the lower spine (T12) peak acceleration, expressed

in g's. The peak acceleration values are obtained in accordance with the

procedure specified in S6.13.5.

S5.2 Pelvis. The peak lateral acceleration of the pelvis, as

measured in accordance with S6.13.5, shall not exceed 130 g's.

S5.3 Door opening.

S5.3.1 Any side door, which is struck by the moving deformable

barrier, shall not separate totally from the car.

[[Page 577]]

S5.3.2 Any door (including a rear hatchback or tailgate), which is

not struck by the moving deformable barrier, shall meet the following

requirements:

S5.3.2.1 The door shall not disengage from the latched position;

S5.3.2.2 The latch shall not separate from the striker, and the

hinge components shall not separate from each other or from their

attachment to the vehicle.

S5.3.2.3 Neither the latch nor the hinge systems of the door shall

pull out of their anchorages.

S6. Test conditions.

S6.1 Test weight. Each vehicle is loaded to its unloaded vehicle

weight, plus 300 pounds or its rated cargo and luggage capacity

(whichever is less), secured in the luggage or load-carrying area, plus

the weight of the necessary anthropomorphic test dummies. Any added test

equipment is located away from impact areas in secure places in the

vehicle. The vehicle's fuel system is filled in accordance with the

following procedure. With the test vehicle on a level surface, pump the

fuel from the vehicle's fuel tank and then operate the engine until it

stops. Then, add Stoddard solvent to the test vehicle's fuel tank in an

amount which is equal to not less than 92 percent and not more than 94

percent of the fuel tank's usable capacity stated by the vehicle's

manufacturer. In addition, add the amount of Stoddard solvent needed to

fill the entire fuel system from the fuel tank through the engine's

induction system.

S6.2 Vehicle test attitude. Determine the distance between a level

surface and a standard reference point on the test vehicle's body,

directly above each wheel opening, when the vehicle is in its ``as

delivered'' condition. The ``as delivered'' condition is the vehicle as

received at the test site, filled to 100 percent of all fluid capacities

and with all tires inflated to the manufacturer's specifications listed

on the vehicle's tire placard. Determine the distance between the same

level surface and the same standard reference points in the vehicle's

``fully loaded condition.'' The ``fully loaded condition'' is the test

vehicle loaded in accordance with S6.1. The load placed in the cargo

area is centered over the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The

pretest vehicle attitude is equal to either the as delivered or fully

loaded attitude or between the as delivered attitude and the fully

loaded attitude.

S6.3 Adjustable seats. Adjustable seats are placed in the

adjustment position midway between the forward most and rearmost

positions, and if separately adjustable in a vertical direction, are at

the lowest position. If an adjustment position does not exist midway

between the forwardmost and rearmost positions, the closest adjustment

position to the rear of the midpoint is used.

S6.4 Adjustable seat back placement. Place adjustable seat backs in

the manufacturer's nominal design riding position in the manner

specified by the manufacturer. If the position is not specified, set the

seat back at the first detent rearward of 25 deg. from the vertical.

Place each adjustable head restraint in its highest adjustment position.

Position adjustable lumbar supports so that they are set in their

released, i.e., full back position.

S6.5 Adjustable steering wheels. Adjustable steering controls are

adjusted so that the steering wheel hub is at the geometric center of

the locus it describes when it is moved through its full range of

driving positions.

S6.6 Windows. Movable vehicle windows and vents are placed in the

fully closed position on the struck side of the vehicle.

S6.7 Convertible tops. Convertibles and open-body type vehicles

have the top, if any, in place in the closed passenger compartment

configuration.

S6.8 Doors. Doors, including any rear hatchback or tailgate, are

fully closed and latched but not locked.

S6.9 Transmission and brake engagement. For a vehicle equipped with

a manual transmission, the transmission is placed in second gear. For a

vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, the transmission is

placed in neutral. For all vehicles, the parking brake is engaged.

S6.10 Moving deformable barrier. The moving deformable barrier

conforms to the dimensions shown in Figure 2 and specified in part 587.

[[Page 578]]

S6.11 Impact reference line. Place a vertical reference line at the

location described below on the side of the vehicle that will be struck

by the moving deformable barrier:

S6.11.1 Passenger cars.

(a) For vehicles with a wheelbase of 114 inches or less, 37 inches

forward of the center of the vehicle's wheelbase.

(b) For vehicles with a wheelbase greater than 114 inches, 20 inches

rearward of the centerline of the vehicle's front axle.

S6.11.2 Multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses.

(a) For vehicles with a wheelbase of 98 inches or less, 12 inches

rearward of the centerline of the vehicle's front axle, except as

otherwise specified in paragraph (d) of this section.

(b) For vehicles with a wheelbase of greater than 98 inches but not

greater than 114 inches, 37 inches forward of the center of the

vehicle's wheelbase, except as otherwise specified in paragraph (d) of

this section.

rearward of the centerline of the vehicle's front axle, except as

otherwise specified in paragraph (d) of this section.

(d) At the manufacturer's option, for different wheelbase versions

of the same model vehicle, the impact reference line may be located by

the following:

(1) Select the shortest wheelbase vehicle of the different wheelbase

versions of the same model and locate on it the impact reference line at

the location described in (a), (b) or (c) of this section, as

appropriate;

(2) Measure the distance between the seating reference point (SgRP)

and the impact reference line;

(3) Maintain the same distance between the SgRP and the impact

reference line for the version being tested as that between the SgRP and

the impact reference line for the shortest wheelbase version of the

model.

(e) For the compliance test, the impact reference line will be

located using the procedure used by the manufacturer as the basis for

its certification of compliance with the requirements of this standard.

If the manufacturer did not use any of the procedures in this section,

or does not specify a procedure when asked by the agency, the agency may

locate the impact reference line using either procedure.

S6.12 Impact configuration. The test vehicle (vehicle A in Figure

3) is stationary. The line of forward motion of the moving deformable

barrier (vehicle B in Figure 3) forms an angle of 63 degrees with the

centerline of the test vehicle. The longitudinal centerline of the

moving deformable barrier is perpendicular to the longitudinal

centerline of the test vehicle when the barrier strikes the test

vehicle. In a test in which the test vehicle is to be struck on its left

(right) side: All wheels of the moving deformable barrier are positioned

at an angle of 27 <plus-minus> 1 degrees to the right (left) of the

centerline of the moving deformable barrier; and the left (right)

forward edge of the moving deformable barrier is aligned so that a

longitudinal plane tangent to that side passes through the impact

reference line within a tolerance of <plus-minus> 2 inches when the

barrier strikes the test vehicle.

S6.13 Anthropomorphic test dummies.

S6.13.1 The anthropomorphic test dummies used for evaluation of a

vehicle's side impact protection conform to the requirements of subpart

F of part 572 of this chapter. In a test in which the test vehicle is to

be struck on its left side, each dummy is to be configured and

instrumented to be struck on its left side, in accordance with subpart F

of part 572. In a test in which the test vehicle is to be struck on its

right side, each dummy is to be configured and instrumented to be struck

on its right side, in accordance with subpart F of part 572.

S6.13.2 Each part 572, subpart F test dummy specified is clothed in

formfitting cotton stretch garments with short sleeves and midcalf

length pants. Each foot of the test dummy is equipped with a size 11EEE

shoe, which meets the configuration size, sole, and heel thickness

specifications of MIL-S-13192 (1976) and weighs 1.25 <plus-minus>0.2

pounds.

S6.13.3 Limb joints are set at between 1 and 2 g's. Leg joints are

adjusted with the torso in the supine position.

S6.13.4 The stabilized temperature of the test dummy at the time of

the

[[Page 579]]

side impact test shall be at any temperature between 66 degrees F. and

78 degrees F.

S6.13.5 The acceleration data from the accelerometers mounted on

the ribs, spine and pelvis of the test dummy are processed with the

FIR100 software specified in 49 CFR 572.44(d). The data are processed in

the following manner:

S6.13.5.1 Filter the data with a 300 Hz, SAE Class 180 filter;

S6.13.5.2 Subsample the data to a 1600 Hz sampling rate;

S6.13.5.3 Remove the bias from the subsampled data, and

S6.13.5.4 Filter the data with the FIR100 software specified in 49

CFR 572.44(d), which has the following characteristics--

S6.13.5.4.1 Passband frequency 100 Hz.

S6.13.5.4.2 Stopband frequency 189 Hz.

S6.13.5.4.3 Stopband gain -50 db.

S6.13.5.4.4 Passband ripple 0.0225 db.

[[Page 580]]

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[[Page 581]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC01AU91.112

S7. Positioning procedure for the part 572 subpart F test dummy.

Position a correctly configured test dummy, conforming to subpart F of

part 572 of this chapter, in the front outboard seating position on the

side of the test vehicle to be struck by the moving deformable barrier

and, if the vehicle has a second

[[Page 582]]

seat, position another conforming test dummy in the second seat outboard

position on the same side of the vehicle, as specified in S7.1 through

S7.4. Each test dummy is restrained using all available belt systems in

all seating positions where such belt restraints are provided. In

addition, any folding armrest is retracted.

S7.1 Torso. For a test dummy in any seating position, hold the

dummy's head in place and push laterally on the non-impacted side of the

upper torso in a single stroke with a force of 15-20 lb. towards the

impacted side.

S7.1.1 For a test dummy in the driver position.

(a) For a bench seat. The upper torso of the test dummy rests