Interpretation ID: aiam2262
President
National Automobile Theft Bureau
390 North Broadway
Jericho
NY
11753;
Dear Mr. Murphy: This is in response to your letter of January 8, 1976, concernin 'track sheets' and 'autotels.'; Section S4 of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 302 *Flammability of Interior Materials*, lists those components of a motor vehicle that must comply with burn resistance requirements. I have enclosed a copy for your information. An 'autotel' under the back seat, between the frame and the body, or pasted to the top of the gas tank does not fall within the ambit of the standard. Consequently, it is our view that this most important and effective deterrent to vehicle theft is not discouraged by any existing motor vehicle safety standard.; The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed tha Standard No. 302 be amended to include all materials exposed to the occupant compartment air space. If this amendment is adopted, an 'autotel' under the seat presumably would fall within the purview of the standard. In this case, the 'autotel' could not burn at a rate of more than 4 inches per minute. We believe that this would not prove an impediment to the continuation of the 'autotel' program as a flame-retardant paper is readily available.; If I can be of further assistance in this matter, please do no hesitate to contact me.; Sincerely, Robert L. Carter, Associate Administrator, Motor Vehicl Programs;