Air Bag Safety
Federal Motor Safety Standard #203 requires that all passenger cars made since 1994 must have both driver and passenger side air bags. The space occupied by these air bags during deployment is termed the Air Bag Deployment Zone.
Gamber-Johnson strongly recommends that all Gamber-Johnson product, and the computers and/or equipment mounted on them, be installed safely out of a vehicle's Air Bag Deployment Zone. Our products, as with all mounting systems, are "Air Bag Safe" if, and only if, the installation provider installs the products in conformance with the instructions and vehicle manufacturer's specifications for after-market equipment installation.
If these products are not installed properly, they may interfere with the deployment of an air bag thereby preventing the air bag from operating properly and/or causing injury. Besides these significant safety concerns, equipment mounted in the Air Bag Deployment Zone also poses risk management issues including property damage, medical claims and lost productivity time.
Gamber-Johnson advises that you consult with your installation provider in advance and specifically state the location where you want your mounting system installed.
Other helpful tips regarding Air Bag Safety:
- Any surface that could come into contact with an inflated air bag should be "friendly“ to avoid damage to the air bag. This means surfaces should be free of sharp edges, corners or protrusions.
- If computers will be accessed into and used in the Air Bag Deployment Zone, choose a laptop computer car mount system that allows for safe re-positioning. It is important that mount stability is not compromised for mobility. Mounting systems should provide control over motion capability through adjustable tension.
- If equipment cannot be installed safely out of the Air Bag Deployment Zone due to space constraints, permission can be granted from the NHTSA to de-activate the air bag.
- For more information, please visit: www.nhtsa.dot.gov (external link)
Ford
For air bag deployment zone information regarding mounting or locating equipment in the front seat/dashboard area for Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor vehicles, please see Ford's Modifier Guides by clicking on the link below or call the Ford Fleet Hotline at 1-800-34-FLEET. Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (external link)
For deployed airbag clearance zones on any other Ford Fleet Vehicle, please refer to the Special Service/Fleet Manual for mounting aftermarket equipment. In order to access this manual you will need to first create an account on the Ford Fleet web site. Create A Ford Fleet Account (external link)
GM
For air bag deployment zone information regarding mounting or locating equipment in the front seat/dashboard area for GM law enforcement vehicles, please click on the link below or call GM's Fleet Operations at 1-800-FLEET-OP (353-3867). GM Law Enforcement Vehicles (external link)
Daimler Chrysler
For air bag deployment zone information regarding mounting or locating equipment in the front seat/dashboard area for Dodge Charger / Magnum law enforcement vehicles, please see the Chrysler's Upfitters Guide by clicking on the link below or call Chrysler's Fleet Services at 1-800-999-FLEET (3533). Dodge Charger/Magnum Upfitters Guide (external link)
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