LIST OF ANNEXES

ANNEX XVII Requirements regarding vehicle occupant protection, including interior fittings and vehicle doors

PART 1 Requirements for the approval of a type of vehicle with regard to interior fittings

1. General requirements

1.1. Vehicles of categories L2e, L5e, L6e and L7e which are fitted with bodywork shall meet the following requirements:

1.1.1. The interior of the vehicle is divided into three main areas:

• interior zone 1:

  • in front of the torso reference line in relation to the seating position of the driver,

  • above the R-point of the seating position of the driver,

• interior zone 2:

  • in front of the torso reference line in relation to the seating position of the driver,

  • below the R-point of the seating position of the driver, and

• interior zone 3:

  • behind the torso reference line in relation to the seating position of the driver,

  • in front of the torso reference line in relation to the seating position of the rearmost passenger,

  • above the R-point of the lowest seating position other than that of the driver.

1.1.1.1. By way of derogation to Article 2(5) of this Regulation and for the purpose of this Annex, a vehicle is deemed to have bodywork, and thus an interior, if it is fitted with safety glazing, side doors, side pillars and/or a roof creating an enclosed or partly enclosed compartment. The technical service shall provide clear justification for the judgment criteria in the test report.

1.1.2. All vehicle doors and glazing shall be in the closed position. If the vehicle is fitted with a roof which can be opened or removed, this shall be in the closed position.

1.1.3. Other elements in the interior which have multiple positions of use, such as levers, sun visors, cup holders, ash trays, ventilation outlets, knobs and buttons, shall be assessed in all positions in which they can be placed, including all intermediate positions. Storage compartments (e.g. glove box) shall be assessed in the closed position.

1.1.4. Materials which are softer than 50 Shore (A) hardness shall be disregarded in the assessment of compliance with the requirements. The technical service may therefore request the removal of such materials during the type-approval checks.

1.1.5. The front side of seat structures shall be disregarded. The rear side of seat structures in interior zone 3 shall comply with the requirements of Part 1 (with any soft materials removed) or with the relevant requirements for seat areas 1, 2 and 3 in UNECE regulation No 17, as prescribed for vehicle category M₁.

1.1.6. Testing apparatus

1.1.6.1. A head-form testing apparatus shall be used in interior zones 1 and 3 to simulate situations where edges may come into contact with the head of an occupant. The apparatus shall consist of a sphere with a diameter of 165 mm. Where necessary, a force not exceeding 2,0 daN shall be applied with the testing apparatus in order to expose edges.

1.1.6.2. A knee-form testing apparatus shall be used in interior zone 2 to simulate situations where edges may come into contact with the knees of an occupant. The specifications of the knee-form testing apparatus shall be as set out in Appendix 1 to Part 1. Where necessary, a force not exceeding 2,0 daN shall be applied with the testing apparatus in order to expose edges.

1.1.6.3. The testing apparatus itself shall not be moved out of the zone which is being assessed; however, the head-form testing apparatus may be moved below the lower horizontal boundary of interior zone 1 and the knee-form testing apparatus may be moved above the upper horizontal boundary of interior zone 2 as long as the relevant point of contact still lies within the zone which is being assessed (i.e. no overlap of contact points). If the interior of the vehicle is open to the outside, for instance due to the absence of doors or a roof, an imaginary exterior boundary shall be taken into account as if the entire vehicle, and thus its openings, were covered with a thin plastic wrapping sheet.

2. Specific requirements and tests

2.1. Interior zone 1:

2.1.1. In this zone, a head-form testing apparatus shall be moved in all directions possible. All contactable edges, except those mentioned below, shall be rounded with a radius of curvature of at least 3,2 mm.

2.1.2. Contactable edges above the level of the instrument panel which are either a part of the instrument panel or of elements mounted directly onto the instrument panel shall be rounded with a radius of curvature of at least 2,5 mm.

2.1.3. Parts in interior zone 1 which are covered by a forward horizontal projection of a circle circumscribing the outer limits of the steering control, plus a peripheral band 127 mm in width, shall be disregarded. Parts shall be considered with the steering control placed in all positions of use (i.e. only disregard the projection which is covered in all cases).

2.1.4. Contactable edges on the instrument panel which will be covered by an inflated airbag in the event of a collision shall be at least blunted.

2.1.5. Contactable edges of the steering control shall be rounded with a radius of curvature of at least 2,5 mm.

2.1.6. Contactable edges of the steering control which will be covered by an inflated airbag in the event of a collision shall be at least blunted.

2.1.7. Contactable edges of vanes and openings of ventilation outlets shall be at least blunted.

2.2. Interior zone 2:

2.2.1. In this zone, a knee-form testing apparatus shall be moved from any given starting location in a horizontal and forward direction, while the orientation of the X-axis of the device may be varied within the specified limits. All contactable edges, except those mentioned below, shall be rounded with a radius of curvature of at least 3,2 mm. Contacts made with the rear face of the device shall be disregarded.

2.2.2. Operating pedals and their fixtures shall be disregarded.

2.3. Interior zone 3:

2.3.1. In this zone, a head-form testing apparatus shall be moved in all directions possible. All contactable edges, except those mentioned below, shall be rounded with a radius of curvature of at least 3,2 mm.

2.3.2. Contactable edges on the rear side of seat structures may alternatively comply with the specific requirements of seat areas 1, 2 and 3 referred to in point 1.1.5.

Appendix 1 Testing apparatus

1. Knee-form testing apparatus

1.1. Diagram of the testing apparatus:

Figure 16-P1-Ap1-1

2. Procedure for use:

2.1. The testing apparatus shall be placed in any position so that:

• plane X-X’ remains parallel to the longitudinal median plane of the vehicle, and

• axis X can be rotated above and below the horizontal through angles of up to 30°.

PART 2 Requirements for the approval of a type of vehicle with regard to doors

1. Requirements and test

1.1. Vehicles of categories L2e, L5e, L6e and L7e which are fitted with doors shall meet the following requirements:

1.1.1. Each door shall be fitted with a device which keeps it in a closed position. A door may be fitted with hinges and/or other retaining mechanisms, systems or devices, and a closed door may have gaps and openings to the outside.

1.1.2. Each door shall be capable of withstanding a push force of 200 daN, delivered by a flat-ended ram applied in an outward and horizontal (and thus in the vehicle’s transverse) direction. The end of the ram shall have an overall diameter not exceeding 50 mm and may have rounded edges. The force shall be applied either onto the door centre or at another point in the transverse vertical plane passing through the R-point of the seating position closest to the door in question at a height corresponding to that of the R-point or a point up to 500 mm above it. Interior fittings, components or other elements which interfere with the application of the force shall be removed during the test.

1.1.2.1. The device or devices which keep the door in a closed position shall not fail, release or open completely within 0,2 seconds of reaching the minimum prescribed application force and the door shall remain closed after removal of the force. Gaps and openings to the outside due to flexing of materials are permitted.