This article was published in the May 2016 edition of NTEA
News
Question: We install ladder racks and partitions in
vans and understand a new roof crush test takes effect in the fall. How can we
be prepared to meet these requirements?
Answer: The upcoming requirements
are detailed in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 216a. Although
this is not a new standard, the a designation differentiates it as an
upgraded version of the existing FMVSS 216.
A final rule was published in 2009 on the enhanced
requirements, and auto manufacturers began the phase-in process in
2012.
Key changes to the existing roof crush standard
- Requirements extend to vehicles
with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of
10,000 pounds or less. They
previously only applied to those with a GVWR of 6,000 pounds or less.
- The new test increased load to
three times the unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) for vehicles with a GVWR of 6,000
pounds or less and one-and-a-half times the UVW for those with a GVWR of 6,001
to 10,000 pounds.
- This test includes both driver
and passenger sides of the roof. It previously involved a single test of either
side. (See Figures 1 and 2.)
- Multi-stage manufactured
vehicles, including altered ones, are not subject to the phase-in requirements
of single-stage vehicles, but there are two different compliance dates based on
gross vehicle weight. Vehicles with a GVWR of up to 6,000 pounds and
manufactured on or after Sept. 1, 2016 must meet the conditions or exclusions of
216a. Vehicles with a GVWR of 6,001 to 10,000 pounds have an additional year to
meet the new requirements.
Compliance timeline
Given these changes, the
compliance date for the completed vans you alter with your upfit is based on
GVWR. For smaller vans with a 6,000-pound or less GVWR manufactured as of Sept.
1, 2016, it’s important to review applicable body builder information from the
OEM in advance. As vans will already align with the new FMVSS 216a, your job
will be to upfit them, while maintaining compliance. Remaining vans — those with
6,001 to 10,000 pounds GVWR —
will follow suit starting Sept. 1,
2017.
If you have any questions, call NTEA’s Technical Services Department at
800-441-6832 from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. EDT, Monday–Friday.