Interpretation ID: nht81-2.22

DATE: 05/08/81

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; F. Berndt; NHTSA

TO: R. F. Gordon, Esq.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT:

MAY 8, 1981 NOA-30

Richard F. Gordon, Esq. 610 Arendell Street P.O. Box 489 Morehead City, North Carolina 28557

Dear Mr. Gordon:

This responds to your recent request for information on any safety standards this agency may have published for retreaded tires. We have a Standard No. 117 (49 CFR S 571.117) which applies to all retreaded passenger car tires. I have enclosed a copy of this standard and Standard No. 109 (49 CFR S 571.109), which is referenced in Standard No. 117.

As you will see, Standard 117 requires that the retreaded tires pass certain size and strength requirements, that the casings of the original tires which are retreaded meet certain requirements, and that certain information be labeled on the retreaded tires.

I hope that this information will be useful. If you have any further questions in this area or need further information on tire safety standards, feel free to contact Mr. Stephen Kratzke of my staff (202-426-2992).

Sincerely,

Frank Berndt Chief Counsel

Enclosures

March 18, 1981

General Counsel U. S. Dept. of Transportation Washington, D. C. 20590

RE: Regulations governing the manufacture of retread automobile tires.

Dear Sir:

We earlier wrote your department seeking copies of the regulations governing the manufacture of retread automobile tires. We got back a pamphlet on Uniform Tire Quality Grading.

What we are seeking are the regulations promulgated pursuant to 15 USCS 1426. There is not a set of CFR's in this county. We have a situation where a young girl was injured when a recently retreaded radial tire failed on a paved surface and examination of the tire disclosed rusty steel in the wall of the tire. We need to determine whether the manufacturer should have retreaded that tire.

Your assistance is appreciated.

Very truly yours,

Richard F. Gordon Attorney at Law

RFG/lmw