Interpretation ID: nht79-2.35

DATE: 09/12/79

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; S. P. Wood for F. Berndt; NHTSA

TO: Sheller-Globe Corporation

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT:

SEP 12 1979

NOA-30

Mr. R. M. Premo, Director Vehicle Safety Activities Sheller-Globe Corporation 3555 St. Johns Road Lima, Ohio 45804

Dear Mr. Premo:

This responds to your August 27, 1979, letter asking how the agency tests a floor joint for compliance with Standard No. 221, School Bus Body Joint Strength. You enclosed a sketch and sample floor joint with your letter and asked in which direction the forces would be applied for test purposes. You suggested that the forces be applied in a perpendicular direction to the floor.

The floor joint that you manufacture is welded in three locations. One weld is located on top of the floor surface and joins the two panels together. The agency concludes that this joint should be tested by applying force in a direction that is parallel to the floor surface, not perpendicular to it. This is the procedure that is specified in section S6 of the standard for testing joints that are constructed in a manner similar to the floor joint in your vehicle.

Sincerely,

Frank Berndt Chief Counsel

August 27, 1979

Office of the Chief Counsel U. S. Department of Transportation 400 7th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20590

Attention: Mr. Roger Tilton

Dear Mr. Tilton:

The purpose of this letter is to obtain an interpretation of the testing procedure that will be used to check the underbody joints shown in proposal number 2.

It is our interpretation of FMVSS 221 that both joints, floor panel to crossmember and floor panel to floor panel, would be tested in the direction of the arrows shown on the enclosed proposal.

An early reply will be appreciated.

Very truly yours,

R. M. Premo, Director Vehicle Safety Activities

RMP:cr Enclosure