Interpretation ID: aiam0542
Technical Assistant
Engineering Liaison
British Leyland Motors Inc.
600 Willow Tree Road
Leonia
NJ
07605;
Dear Ms. Mampe: This is in reply to your two letters of June 14, 1972, concerning Moto Vehicle Safety Standard No. 302, 'Flammability of Interior Materials.'; You ask whether the requirement of S4.3 that material not burn no transmit a flame front across its surface at a rate of more than 4 inches per minute includes the flashing of the flame across the surface for only a fraction of a second. The flashing of the flame as you describe it is included within the requirement, and consequently cannot occur at a rate greater than 4 inches-per-minute.; You also ask whether polyethylene covering which does not meet th standard's requirements may be used to protect the interior during shipment, if the material is marked and fitted so that its appearance would ensure that purchasers would not want to use it. You indicate that the manufacturer would also take steps to instruct dealers to remove the material. The NHTSA would consider the material to be outside of the standard's requirements if these steps are taken to prevent it from being used as a seat cover by purchasers.; Yours truly, Richard B. Dyson, Assistant Chief Counsel