FMVSS 208: Occupant Crash Protection

Located in 49 CFR Part 571.208, FMVSS 208 is a comprehensive, multifaceted safety standard. Much is dedicated to passenger car requirements, but for heavier, multistage manufactured vehicles, this standard helps determine requirements for seat belts when adding designated seating positions (DSP) to a vehicle. It’s important to first note seating and restraints work as a system, and other standards must be reviewed, along with belt requirements. Key details There are two basic seat belt configurations: Type 1 – lap belt only and Type 2 – lap/shoulder (see definitions following). Belt type required for a given DSP is categorized by several criteria in FMVSS 208. To determine which belt type added seats require in a specific vehicle, start by identifying vehicle type, gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and seat orientation in each configuration. It’s important to refer to definitions contained in 49 CFR Part 571.3 to identify different vehicle types used in FMVSS. Common types used for certification of multistage vehicles in the work truck industry are truck, multipurpose passenger vehicle (MPV), bus, school bus and multifunction school activity bus (see definitions following). Once you’ve properly categorized vehicle type, and GVWR is known, FMVSS 208 belt requirements can begin to be determined. For example, when adding rear, side-facing seating to an MPV with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds, consult S4.2.7 of FMVSS 208 for requirements applicable to this type of rear seating position. With some alternatives and exceptions, this section requires a “Type 2 seat belt assembly at every rear designated seating position other than a side-facing position.” This is where individual seat orientation becomes important. In S4.2.7.1 and S4.2.7.6, the standard specifically addresses side-facing seat requirements and gives the manufacturer the option to install a Type 1 or Type 2 belt. Additional provisions exist for seats that are removable or rotate to other orientations. Depending on vehicle type and GVWR, FMVSS 225 child restraint anchorage system requirements may apply, which would require a certain number of seating positions to have compliant LATCH systems for child seats. Definitions From 49 CFR Part 571.209: Type 1 seat belt assembly is a lap belt for pelvic restraint. Type 2 seat belt assembly is a combination of pelvic and upper torso restraints. Type 2a shoulder belt is an upper torso restraint for use only in conjunction with a lap belt as a Type 2 seat belt assembly. Upper torso restraint means a portion of a seat belt assembly intended to restrain movement of the chest and shoulder regions. From 49 CFR Part 571.3: Bus means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer, designed for carrying more than 10 persons. Multifunction school activity bus (MFSAB) means a school bus whose purposes do not include transporting students to and from home or school bus stops. Multipurpose passenger vehicle means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a low-speed vehicle or trailer, designed to carry 10 persons or less which is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation. School bus means a bus that is sold, or introduced in interstate commerce, for purposes that include carrying students to and from school or related events, but does not include a bus designed and sold for operation as a common carrier in urban transportation. Truck means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer, designed primarily for the transportation of property or special purpose equipment. Designated seating position means (2) For vehicles manufactured on and after September 1, 2011, designated seating position means a seat location that has a seating surface width, as described in §571.10(c) of this part, of at least 330 mm (13 inches). The number of designated seating positions at a seat location is determined according to the procedure set forth in §571.10(b) of this part. However, for trucks and multipurpose passenger vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 lbs, police vehicles as defined in S7 of FMVSS No. 208, firefighting vehicles, ambulances, and motor homes, a seating location that is labeled in accordance with S4.4 of FMVSS No. 207 will not be considered a designated seating position. For the sole purpose of determining the classification of any vehicle sold or introduced into interstate commerce for purposes that include carrying students to and from school or related events, any location in such a vehicle intended for securement of an occupied wheelchair during vehicle operation is regarded as four designated seating positions.

FMVSS 208: Occupant Crash Protection

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