Interpretation ID: aiam3817
Office Manager
Mazda (North America)
Inc.
24402 Sinacola Court
Farmington Hills
MI 48018;
Dear Mr. Nakaya: This responds to your letter of February 20, 1984, asking thre questions concering the compliance test procedures of Standard No. 210 that would be used in testing a truck with a forward tilt cabin. The answers to your questions are discussed below.; You first asked whether in doing the compliance test, 'may the tes sample consist of just the cabin with the production seating system installed?' In conducting Standard No. 210 compliance tests, the agency conducts the test on a fully assembled vehicle (i.e., cabin and chassis/frame).; You then asked whether the tilt cabin rear latch bracketry could b reinforced during the testing. The answer is no, the agency tests the vehicle as manufactured.; Finally, you asked 'should the tilt cabin latch bracketry and mechanis be considered within the scope' of the Standard No. 210 compliance testing. The answer is no. The purpose of the standard is to measure the performance of the seat belt anchorages. A falure of the tilt cab latch would not constitute a failure of Standard No. 210. I must note, however, that a failure of a tilt cab latch under the loading experienced during a Standard No. 210 compliance test could raise the question of whether the latch contains a defect related to motor vehicle safety. I urge you to design the latch in such a manner that it will withstand the loads generated during a crash.; If you have any further questions, please let me know. Sincerely, Frank Berndt, Chief Counsel