Interpretation ID: 1982-1.14

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 02/16/82

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; F. Berndt; NHTSA

TO: FWD Corporation

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This responds to your recent letter asking whether Safety Standard No. 205, Glazing Materials, permits the use of Items 4 and 5 rigid plastics in rear windows on fire trucks. You were confused because the "ANS Z26" standard permits rigid plastics in these locations, yet Standard 205 is silent on the issue.

The fact that Standard No. 205 does not specifically state that Items 4 and 5 rigid plastics may be used in rear windows in trucks does not mean that such use is not permitted. The "ANS Z26" standard is incorporated by reference in Standard No. 205 (paragraph S5.1.1). Therefore, glazing materials that conform with "ANS Z26" may be used in the locations specified in that standard. In addition to the requirements and specified locations in "ANS Z26," Standard 205 includes other locations and requirements for additional types of glazing, as well as other locations for the Items of glazing that are specified in "ANS Z26."

Sincerely,

ATTACH.

November 18, 1981

U. S. Department of Transportation -- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,

Attn: Hugh Oates, Office of Chief Counsel

Dear Mr. Oates:

Subject: FMVSS205 - Glazing Materials

In reviewing this standard, particularly the requirement and usage of rigid plastic, I noticed that the standard omits one usage of rigid plastics that ANS Z26.1 allows. That usage under Item #4 and Item #5 refers to, "Glazing to the rear of the driver in trucks or truck tractor cabs where other means of affording visibility of the highway to the side and rear of the vehicle are provided."

We have a request from a customer to provide a rigid plastic in a fire truck cab in all windows except the windshield and door windows immediately to the right and left of the driver. See attached sheet. windows are in the canopy area of the cab where two jump seats are provided for additional firemen.

As the standard doesn't specifically address this cab arrangement and rigid plastics would reduce the safety hazards and maintenance cost resulting from deliberate breakage of the windows, since plastic glazing is more difficult to break than regular glass, I would appreciate a response to the question of meeting the standard requirements if a rigid plastic glazing was used in positions indicated on attached sheet.

Very truly yours, FWD CORPORATION; Leon W. Steenbock -- Project Engineer

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