Safety regulations for handling components with gas generators (M3 base, M3 Competition, M3 Competition M xDrive, M3 CS)

When working on airbag units or seat belt tensioners, the regulations in accordance with the law relating to the use of explosives must be observed 

Airbags, seat belt tensioners etc. are pyrotechnical objects. Pyrotechnical objects are assigned to different danger classes on the basis of the quantity of propellant gas that they contain. The classification can be recognized by the identification mark on the product: 

Attention! 

Failure to comply with the warning notices and repair notes for gas generator components can cause accidental deployment and result in injury and vehicle damage!

This applies in particular to the following components: 

• Airbag modules (driver's/front passenger airbags, side airbags)
• Seat belt tensioner
• Head airbag
• Active knee protection
• Active head restraint
• Safety battery terminal
• Actuators of active pedestrian protection

1. Regulations 

   The regulations cited below apply to the Federal Republic of Germany

   In all other countries, the respective valid laws and regulations must be observed. Country-specific legal regulations or legal jurisdictions based on them that are more detailed than this information must always be observed or take precedence over these regulations

   At BMW, the

   • Pyrotechnical restraint systems are subject to danger class P1
   • Gas generators are pyrotechnical objects belonging to danger class P1

   The operation, transportation and storage of non-ignited gas generators are subject to the "Law relating to the use of explosives"

   The first operation of pyrotechnic objects must be notified to the responsible trade supervisory board at least 2 weeks in advance. Here the relevant authority must be notified in writing of the person responsible (e.g. dealership owner, holder of general power of attorney or if necessary workshop supervisor). A certificate of competence, i.e. a special training is not required for the person in charge

2. Dismantling and installation 
   • Inspection, testing and installation work may only be carried out by expert trained personnel in BMW Service
   • Work on components of the airbag system must always be carried out on completely voltage-free vehicles: 
     • Make sure that there is no battery charger  connected to the jump start terminal in the engine compartment
     • Disconnect the VEHICLE BATTERY .
   • Work on components of the airbag system should only ever be carried out with the negative terminal post covered and the plug connection of the cable leading to the gas generator disconnected
3. Transport 
   • Components with gas generators must be shipped in the packaging of the new parts
4. Storage 
   • Observe the regulations of the responsible trade supervisory board or valid country-specific regulations!