Assessment Of Airbag And Belt Tensioner Units In Accident Vehicles - AH91.00-P-0006-01B

MODEL 117, 118, 129 as of 7/1/93, 156, 163, 164, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 176, 177, 197, 199, 202 as of 7/1/93, 203, 204, 205, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 230, 231, 240, 242, 245, 246, 247, 251, 253, 414, 415, 447, 448, 453, 461 as of 4/1/94, 463, 636, 638, 639 

Pyrotechnical components in Mercedes-Benz vehicles 

Pyrotechnical components when used as occupant restraint systems contain a gas generator for generating gas flows. This gas generator contains an explosive propellant, which is triggered electronically by a squib via a control unit (e.g. airbags, seat belt tensioners and actuators). The generated gas flow deploys the airbag or tensions the belt strap within milliseconds. In the active engine hood, the engine hood lifter (actuator) lifts up the engine hood at the rear.

The following pyrotechnical components can be installed in a range of versions and quantities (depending on the equipment installed):

• Driver airbag
• Passenger airbag
• Sidebag
• Seat cushion airbag
• Window airbag
• Head airbag
• Kneebag
• Pelvis airbag
• Emergency tensioning retractors with and without belt airbag
• Seat belt buckle emergency tensioning retractors
• Seat belt end-fitting tensioners
• Pyrotechnical engine hood lifter (actuator)
• Mechanical engine hood lifter with pyrotechnical activation (not reversible)
• Pyrofuse
• Hinge trigger capsule
• Roll bar trigger capsule

The installation of pyrotechnical components in the vehicle interior can also be recognized by labels such as "RS", "SRS", "Airbag" or combinations thereof. These are located on the component or in its action and/or deployment area.

Information on handling pyrotechnical components and their adjacent components in accident vehicles 

• Pyrotechnical components are to be checked for external damage and replaced if necessary.
• In the event of accidents with a driver airbag which has been triggered the steering wheel and steering column tube must always be replaced. Due to the driver airbag being triggered damage can occur to the steering wheel and the steering column tube which is not visible externally.

General information on handling pyrotechnical components and their adjacent components 

• Only carry out approved and published system tests on pyrotechnical components and their sensor systems when they are installed, and only using the approved diagnostic systems that are suitable for the respective model series. Observe manufacturer's instructions.
• Defective or damaged pyrotechnical components, control units and their sensor systems must always be replaced. Repair of or tampering with such components is not permissible.
• Component parts that come into contact with pyrotechnical component parts (e.g. instrument panel, door trim, glove compartment, seats, wiring harnesses, seat belt straps, etc.), must always be checked for damage and replaced if necessary. Only technically approved component combinations are permissible. The vehicle documentation must be observed.
• If you notice obvious errors or faults, the installation of non-approved accessories or retrofits, or their incorrect installation in the vehicle (e.g. navigation unit in deployment area of airbag, protective covers on seat without tear seam for sidebag outlet), the customer is to be specifically notified of them.
• The initial startup and parameterization of new control units for pyrotechnical components may only be conducted using the approved diagnostic systems, suitable for each model series in question. Observe manufacturer's instructions.
• Recommendation for safety reasons:

In the event of any reasonable suspicion or indications of any counterfeit or otherwise apparently untrustworthy pyrotechnical component (possibly of unknown origin), the supervisor must be informed. In this case the pyrotechnical component may on no account be installed into the vehicle.

Legal requirements pertaining to the handling and storage of pyrotechnical components 

• All legal requirements cited below apply to the Federal Republic of Germany. In other countries, the valid national and local legal requirements and regulations must be observed.
• Pyrotechnical components such as mentioned above are pyrotechnical components in Class P1 (formerly: T1). The handling, transport and storage of these components is subject to the "Explosive Substances Act".
• A pyrotechnical component part must not be stored in the immediate vicinity of readily or highly flammable substances, and oxidizing substances.
• Acquisition, transport, storage, installation and removal as well as scrapping may only be performed by trained personnel under observation of all applicable safety specifications. The use of a vehicle's passenger compartment to transport such materials is strictly prohibited.