Interpretation ID: aiam2895

Mr. W. G. Milby, Manager, Engineering Service, Blue Bird Body Company, P.O. Box 937, Fort Valley, GA 31030; Mr. W. G. Milby
Manager
Engineering Service
Blue Bird Body Company
P.O. Box 937
Fort Valley
GA 31030;

Dear Mr. Milby: This responds to your August 3, 1978, letter asking how to compute th area of a sample of a body panel when testing for compliance with Standard No. 221, *School Bus Body Joint Strength*.; In your letter, you suggest that the net cross- sectional area of th sample is determined by multiplying the width of the sample by its thickness and then subtracting the area of each discreet fastener hole. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration agrees that this procedure yields the correct area of the sample, and it is the method used by the agency in its compliance testing.; Sincerely, Joseph J. Levin, Jr., Chief Counsel