Interpretation ID: nht81-1.24

DATE: 03/03/81

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Stanley H. Backaitis; NHTSA

TO: Alderson Research Tabouletiones

COPYEE: MR. ARMSTRONG; MR. FINKELSTEIN; MR. STEPHENSON; MR. OATES

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

ATTACHMT: 3/7/80 letter from Frank Berndt (NHTSA) to Fiat Motors of North America (Std. 208)

TEXT: Per your telephone request of March 3, 1981, enclosed is a copy of a letter of interpretation on dummy shoes sizes which was written to Fiat Motors of North America on March 7, 1980. As you indicated in your telephone call, the above interpretation responds satisfactorily to the needs outlined in your January 30, 1981, letter to this Agency.

ALDERSON RESEARCH LABORATORIES. INC.

January 30, 1981

Stanley H. Backaitis National Highway Traffic Safety Admin.

DEAR STAN:

From time to time over the past few years, some of our overseas customers have asked us to obtain for them shoes which meet Section 8.19 of the Part 572 test dummy requirements. As you are aware, this calls for Size 11-EE shoes meeting the configuration, size, sole and heel thickness specifications of MIL-S-13192, with a weight of 1.25 +/- .2 pounds. In the past we have been able to obtain these from a firm named Altama Delta Corporation, in Darien, Georgia. However, this week they advised us that they no longer have a Government contract to produce shoes to this specification and they could not advise us of any other firm currently producing this type shoe.

We have been in touch with the Bostonian/Hanover Shoe Company, as well as the Freeman Shoe Company in Wisconsin. In both instances, we have been advised that they make what they call a military shoe which they distribute through PX stores, but neither source could advise us as to how closely their products compared to the MIL Spec. requirements.

I would appreciate your advising us in the event that you are able to locate a source for the shoes which meets Part 572 as currently written. If not, would it be possible to amend the Part 572 wording so it would coincide with what is currently available in the marketplace.

SINCERELY,

Alan H. Raphael President