Interpretation ID: nht74-2.44

DATE: 05/11/74

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Richard B. Dyson; NHTSA

TO: The Adams & Westlake Company

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This is in reply to your letter of March 13, 1974, asking whether S5.3.2 of Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 217, "Bus Window Retention and Release," permits the use of more than one release mechanism on any one opening if each mechanism requires a separate motion to release.

Standard No. 217 does not prohibit the use of more than one separate release mechanism for a single opening. However, S5.3.2 does limit to two the number of total force applications, and this limits the number of separate release mechanisms to two. If two release mechanisms are used, each must be operated by only one force application, and one of these force applications must differ by 90 degrees to 180 degrees from the direction of the initial push-out motion of the emergency exit.

Of course, in using this configuration, the other requirements pertaining to emergency exists and release mechanisms in Standard No. 217 must also be met.

YOURS TRULY,

March 13, 1974

Office of Chief Consul National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Attention: Mr. Larry Schneider

In regards to Motor Vehicle Safety Standard #217, "Bus Window Retention & Release", please refer to S5.3.2 which states:

"The release mechanism or mechanisms shall require for release one or two force applications."

Is this to be interpreted that more than one mechanism, each requiring a separate motion to release, can be used on any one opening?

This question is prompted by reason of a car body structural member, at center line of rear window opening, which makes a single mechanism unsuitable.

Your earliest reply will be appreciated.

Earl V. Gordon -- Manager of Engineering, THE ADAMS & WESTLAKE CO.

cc: H. C. Gildner, Vice-President, Transportation Sales; C. M. Miller, Vice-President, Engineering