SFI 38.1 news

[johnneilson]

FYI


September, 2011

September 28, 2011 - New Recertification Requirement for SFI 38.1 Head and Neck Restraint Devices

A recent SFI Specification revision now requires that Head and Neck Restraint Devices which are certified to SFI Specification 38.1 be inspected and recertified every five (5) years, effective January 1, 2012. Any existing certified device with an SFI 38.1 conformance label must be sent back to the original manufacturer for inspection after five (5) years from the date of manufacture punched out on the label. Product inspection, maintenance, and/or replacement procedure will be per individual manufacturer.  Inspection must be done by the original manufacturer only, and not their authorized resellers or dealers.

When a device is determined by the original manufacturer to be acceptable for continued use, that manufacturer will affix a new SFI 38.1 conformance label marked with the inspection date and it will be valid for use for another five (5) years from that date.

Sanctioning Bodies requiring 38.1 devices will begin enforcing the five (5) year recertification rule as of January 1, 2012.

I guess my HANS qualifies, dated mar '06 recertification. not too sure of mfg date but it was before the SFI stickers were available.

[JamesJ]

I got my HANS way back before the SFI 38.1 was around, all I did was send it back to HANS and they put a SFI sticker on it and I think it cost $15 The sticker does have a date on it now.  The lady I spoke with at HANS told me they never expire, but it looks like this may be a new rule.

[johnneilson]

James,

When I bought mine, it had no sticker. I called HD and they issued a call tag  with box to pick up the unit.
3 days later it arrived back here with a sticker on it, Tee shirt and some other propaganda.

I looked it over last night, I assume the mfg date is embeded in the SN, if so, it looks like '04.
The SFI sticker is dated. In either case, I need new tethers anyway and they can be installed at time of inspection.

I am not surprised at this, just another line on the inspection form which is longer than the requirements to have children.

I am sure some will complain, I just wonder if they have actually found some units defective or damaged.

John

[trimmers]

It'll be interesting to see how SCTA handles this as their rules (3.A.3.) do NOT require SFI 38.1-approved head & neck restraint systems, but rather just "SFI 38.1 type".

So, if SFI approval isn't required, will they do anything with this new 5-year SFI requirement?  Or, might they require it on ones that are SFI approved? Or,