Interpretation ID: aiam0589
Jr.
Executive Secretary
Truck Equipment & Body Distributors Association
602 Main Street
Cincinnati
OH
45202;
Dear Mr. Pieratt: This is in reply to your letter of December 24, 1971, concerning Moto Vehicle Safety Standard No. 302, 'Flammability of Interior Materials.'; You ask whether the entire interior of a van-type vehicle that has n divider behind the driver would be considered the passenger compartment. The answer to this question is no. The cargo area of such a vehicle would not be considered a 'vehicle occupant compartment' under S4.1 of Standard No. 302, and materials used in the cargo area need not comply with the standard.; You ask further whether a metal compartment bin or rack such as thos used in a telephone truck for storage must be certified. If the bin is within the passenger compartment, and is installed in the truck before its sale to a consumer, it would be required under S4.1, as a 'compartment shelf' to meet the requirements of the standard. Certification would be the responsibility of the truck manufacturer, however, and not the manufacturer of the compartment. If the bin or rack is not within the passenger compartment, it need not meet the requirements of the standard.; Sincerely, Richard B. Dyson, Assistant Chief Counsel