Interpretation ID: aiam2584
Volvo of America Corporation
Rockleigh
NJ 07647;
Dear Mr. Shapiro: This responds to your March 24, 1977, request for an interpretatio concerning the requirements for attachment hardware specified in Safety Standard No. 209, *Seat Belt Assemblies*. You ask about the force requirements that would be applicable to attachment hardware that is common to the left and right front safety belts and also common to the pelvic and upper torso restraints.; You are correct in your assumption that the subject attachment hardwar (designated part '14' in your diagram) would be required to withstand a force of at least 6,000 pounds or 2720 kilograms without fracture of any section. However, the pertinent section is paragraph S4.3(c) (2) of the standard rather than paragraph S4.4(b) (3), as you stated. Paragraph S4.3(c) (2) specifies that attachment hardware designed to receive the ends of two seat belt assemblies shall withstand a tensile force of at least 6,000 pounds. The agency concludes that the Volvo Attachment part '14' is hardware designed to receive the ends of two seat belt assemblies.; The attachment bolt, part '17,' for part '14' would be required t withstand a force of 9,000 pounds or 4080 kilograms under paragraph S4.3(c) (1) of the standard.; Sincerely, Joseph J. Levin, Jr. Chief Counsel