Airbag Guid Text 2006

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EMERGENCY RESCUER'S GUIDE TO VEHICLES FITTED WITHSUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS (SRS)(AIRBAGS and PYROTECHNIC SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS)

Issue 6 October 2006

Compiled by the Department of Transport and Regional Services, Canberra.


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This guide has been compiled from information supplied to the Department of Transport and RegionalServices vehicle manufacturers and by the US Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration (NHTSA). Information contained in this guide is current at the time of

publication. Further advice and information may be sought from the Service Departments of the relevant

vehicle manufacturers.

The Department of Transport and Regional Services would like to thank the Federal Chamber ofAutomotive Industries (FCAI) and all motor vehicle manufacturers for their assistance in producing these

guidelines.

In the interests of promoting safe rescue operations, the Department of Transprt and Regional Services

encourages the copying and dissemination of this guide, in its entirety, to appropriate parties.

The Department of Transport and Regional Services has used due care and skill in the preparation of this

guide, however as some information used in that preparation has been provided by other parties, the

Commonwealth gives no warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, fitness for purpose or otherwise of the

information contained in the guide.


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SCOPE

This booklet is produced to assist Emergency Rescue Personnel by providing information about vehicles

equipped with driver, passenger and side airbags and pyrotechnic seatbelt pretensioners as supplemental

restraint systems.

This guide gives Emergency Rescue Personnel information to handle rescues involving a vehicle

equipped with an airbag or seatbelt pretensioner SRS, whether or not it has deployed. Its aim is to

relieve any unnecessary concern regarding rescues on vehicles fitted with these pyrotechnic devices.

The most important thing to remember is that occupants and rescuers are not exposed to harmful levels ofchemicals with a deployed or undeployed airbag SRS. The gas generant, which contains either sodium

azide or nitrocellulose is securely contained and sealed before deployment and is consumed during a

deployment. Testing shows that there are no detectable levels of sodium azide in the combustion by-

products. The by-products of nitrocellulose combustion are relatively harmless in the concentrations

found during an Airbag SRS deployment.


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HOW AN AIRBAG SRS WORKSAn airbag SRS may be an electrical or

mechanical type, with some or all of the

following elements;

The airbag SRS module - includes aninflator, an airbag, and a trim cover

The electronic diagnostic module - monitorsthe airbag SRS electrical system for faults

and disables the system when certain faults

are detected

Crash sensors - detect sudden deceleration.Internal sensors are integrated within the

airbag SRS module, resulting in a self-

contained system. External sensors are

located elsewhere on the vehicle.

A back-up power supply - provides power tothe system in case the battery is damaged

before the crash sensors operate.

The driver-side airbag SRS module is located in

the hub of the steering wheel. The passenger-

side airbag SRS module (if the vehicle is soequipped) is in the dashboard above the glove

compartment. The side impact airbag SRS

module (if the vehicle is so equipped) is in either

the door panel or the seat and may not be visually

identifiable.The airbag SRS inflator contains a solid chemical

gas generant consisting of;

solid pellets or disks of sodium azide and anoxidiser, such as copper oxide or,

a solid cylinder of nitrocellulose.The solid chemicals are safely stored in a metal

chamber inside the airbag SRS module. Each

inflator is sealed to keep out moisture.

An airbag SRS is designed to deploy in moderate

to major frontal crashes. The following four stepsshow how the airbag SRS works;

1.In a frontal impact, sensor(s) in the vehicledetect the sudden deceleration. When the

sensor(s) close, electricity flows to the inflator

and causes ignition of the gas generant.


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2.The gas generant then rapidly burns in themetal chamber. The rapid burning produces

inert gases and small amounts of dust. The

inert gases and dust are cooled and filtered,

during inflation of the airbag.

3.The inflating airbag splits open the trim cover.The airbag then rapidly unfolds and inflates infront of the occupant.

NOTE: steps 1-3 take place in a fraction of a

second.

4.After inflation, the gas is vented throughopenings or open weave areas in the airbag.Airbags deflate at once and may be pushed

aside for occupant removal.

NOTE: some recent passenger airbag systems

use a compressed inert gas for inflation. The

same precautions should be applied as with

conventional airbag systems.

AIRBAG SRS CHEMICALSRescuers should not be overly concerned about

the possibility of contact with any airbag SRS

chemicals. The two generants in common use are

sodium azide and nitrocellulose. Prior to

deployment of the airbag SRS, these generantsare extremely well sealed within a strong metal

container.

Sodium azide in its solid state is toxic. However

due to the strong metal container, contact with it

is extremely unlikely for rescue workers. In 1984the National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration (NHTSA), part of the US

Department of Transportation, reported that both

industry and the Federal Government had

investigated and resolved health concerns relating

to the use of sodium azide in airbag SRSs.

However, as in all other rescue operations,

rescuers should wear gloves and eye protection.

In the unlikely event that the container has

ruptured, the generant will be found in pressed


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tablet form. Do not touch, ingest or expose thegenerant to an ignition source.

Nitrocellulose is not considered toxic and has no

known irritating effects. A form of it is used

mainly in the Eurobag Airbag SRS. In the

unlikely event that the container has ruptured, thegenerant will be found in powder form. Do not

expose the generant to an ignition source. Mix

water with the powder to prevent ignition.

Once the airbag SRS has deployed, the vehicle

interior may briefly appear to contain smoke.

This smoke is actually a powdery residue that

will settle on the surface of deployed airbag(s)

and the vehicle interior. The powdery residue is

cornstarch or talcum powder, which is used to

lubricate the airbag as it deploys. The residue

may also contain sodium compounds, mostlysodium carbonates (eg baking soda), and the

interior air may contain small amounts of carbon

monoxide. All of these are by-products of the

generant combustion. There might also be a very

small amount of sodium hydroxide that may beirritating to the skin and eyes.

NOTE: sodium hydroxide powder is slightly

alkaline but is not considered toxic

Engineers and technicians regularly involved inairbag SRS crash tests have reported no ill effects

from the products of airbag SRS deployment. In

other tests on volunteers, the atmosphere

produced by deployed SRS airbags, was found to

pose no respiratory system hazard to chronic

asthmatics.

The same gloves and eye protection rescuers wear

normally, will prevent irritation due to sodium

hydroxide. After handling a deployed airbag,

rescuers should avoid rubbing their eyes, eating

or smoking until they wash their hands with mildsoap and water.


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HOW TO IDENTIFY A VEHICLEFITTED WITH AN AIRBAG SRS

To identify a vehicle fitted with an airbag SRS,

begin by checking for a "SRS" or "AIRBAG"

moulded on the trim cover of the steering wheel

hub and on the dashboard on the passenger's side.

(Note: side airbags are not always visually

identifiable.) There may also be a label or

placard fitted to the following;

underside of the bonnet sun visor(s) inside of the glovebox driver-side windscreen pillar driver-side or passenger-side B pillar driver-side door lower corner of the windscreen

You can also check for a larger and morerectangular steering wheel hub (about 150 mm by

250 mm) which may indicate the presence of a

driver-side airbag SRS. However, Eurobag or

Facebag systems (eg BMW) are usually housed in

normal sized steering wheel hubs.

In many cases vehicles fitted with an airbag SRS

can be identified by comparing the Vehicle

Identification Number (VIN) with manufacturers

data. Side airbags can be identified in this

manner.

The list at the end of these guidelines includes

airbag SRS identification data for most vehicles.

Identification has been based on airbag SRS

labels, placards or mouldings, and (where

relevant) the VIN or part of the VIN. This list

will be updated periodically.


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HOW TO DE-ACTIVATE ANAIRBAG SRS

Different types and models of airbag SRS have

different methods of de-activation. For

electrically activated systems, which have a back-

up power supply, disconnecting the car battery (in

accordance with the manufacturers instructions)

will begin the de-activation period for the back-

up power supply. De-activation time for the

back-up power supply may take a period of time

ranging from seconds to minutes, depending onthe system.

Simply turning the ignition switch to "OFF" may

not de-activate the airbag SRS. The airbag SRS

deployment mechanism may operate

independently of the ignition switch. However,

most systems will have a "safing" sensor that

offers additional security against inadvertent

deployment of the airbag.

Mechanically activated systems can sometimes

be de-activated in the field.

The list at the end of these guidelines includesairbag SRS de-activation data for most vehicles.

This list will be updated periodically.

VEHICLE FIRE

When dealing with a vehicle fire, use standardfire extinguishing procedures first. Use any type

of fire-fighting agent, including water. The gas

generant is sealed in a watertight container.

However, perform fire extinguishing procedures

from the side of the vehicle and away from the

potential deployment path of the airbag.

In the rare case of an interior occupant

compartment fire, the airbag SRS module is

designed to self-deploy if its internal temperature

reaches approximately 175C. The inflator will

remain intact and operate normally.

NOTE: airbagSRS modules will not explode.


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VEHICLE RECOVERY - TOWING

Towing a vehicle with an undeployed airbag

SRS

Standard towing procedures are unlikely to

deploy an airbag SRS. However, as a precautionwhen towing a vehicle with major frontal damage

and an undeployed airbag SRS, safely disconnect

the battery. Although generally good practice, be

aware that this may not de-activate the system

immediately, or at all with some types of airbag

SRS.

Towing a vehicle with a deployed airbag SRS

When towing a vehicle with a deployed airbag

SRS, follow the deployed airbag SRS precautions

on page 8.

VEHICLE SCRAPPINGIf a vehicle with an undeployed SRS is designated

for scrapping, it is recommended that prior to

scrapping, the airbag be safely deployed inaccordance with manfacturers instructions.

RESCUE WITH UNDEPLOYEDAIRBAG SRS

Remember an airbag SRS will deploy only in

moderate to major frontal or near-frontal crashes.

A frontal airbag SRS is not designed to deploy in

side, rear, rollover, or less severe frontal crashes.

For this reason, it is likely that you will be

involved in a rescue from a vehicle with an airbagSRS that did not deploy.

An airbag SRS is unlikely to deploy during a

rescue. On some vehicles there are two sensors

that must close at the same time, therefore it is

unlikely that rescue operations will result in adeployment. On many vehicles, the diagnostic

module will also disable the airbag SRS if it

detects crash sensor circuit "shorts" that exist for

ten seconds while the ignition is "ON".


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The metal combustion chamber in the airbag SRSmodule is sealed and protected. It is contained

inside a permanently closed metal inflator located

under the folded airbag that is behind the airbag

SRS module trim cover. It is unlikely that the

combustion chamber will rupture during a crash.

Never cut or drill directly into an undeployed

airbag SRS module or attempt to take the module

apart. This will avoid possible deployment and

exposure to toxic chemicals. Do not touch

exposed chemicals in the unlikely event the metal

inflator canister of an undeployed airbag SRSmodule is ruptured or cut.

Rescue steps for undeployed airbag SRS

If the vehicle has been identified as having an

airbag SRS (see page 4 for method of

identification) the rescue steps are as follows;

1. If possible, de-activate the airbag SRS (seepage 5 for method of de-activation). When

fully de-activated (including waiting for any

specified de-activation period), rescueoperations can be carried out as normal.

2. While the airbag SRS is being de-activated, or if it is unable to be de-

activated, the following rescue operations

should begin immediately;i) DO move the seat of a stabilised

occupant back as far as possible or

lower the seat back.

ii) DO turn off the ignition.

iii) DO safely disconnect the battery.Disconnecting the battery immediately

stops all power sources entering the

steering column. Although good

practice, be aware that this may not

de-activate the system immediately or

at all with a mechanical type.

iv) DO touch yourself to earth of thevehicle initially (if safe to do so) before

contacting any bare wires.


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3. It is important to appreciate the followingduring rescue operations with an airbag SRS

that has not deployed and has not been de-

activated;

i) DO perform rescue efforts from the

side of the vehicle and away from thepotential deployment path of the

airbag.

ii) DO keep your body or objects/tools off

the airbag SRS trim cover and awayfrom the front of an undeployed airbag.

Typically

The Drivers airbag expands 260 mm.

Passenger airbag 520mm

Side airbags 130mm wide and 300mm

forward under the arm.

Curtain airbags 400 mm (down)

iii) DO NOT apply sharp blows to thesteering column or dashboard if a

vehicle is fitted with internal crash

sensors, that is, a self contained system

in the steering wheel. The list at the end

of these guidelines includes data on

system type for most vehicles.

iv) DONOT cut into the steering column.Only cut the steering wheel rim or

spokes. Do not apply heat near the

SRS module, as this could cause the

inflator to deploy (see page 5 for

vehicle fire information).

v) If the vehicle is fitted with side airbagsavoid sharp blows to the door, seat or

B-pillar areas.


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RESCUE WITH DEPLOYEDAIRBAG SRS

If the airbag SRS has deployed, use normal

rescue procedures and equipment. Do not

delay rescue. There are no hazardous medical

consequences for an occupant or rescue personnel

from a deployed airbag SRS.

Wear the same gloves and eye protection that

rescuers would normally wear. Protectiveequipment will guard against possible skin or eye

irritation from the powdery airbag residue.

Whether gloves are worn or not, wash your hands

with mild soap and water after handling a

deployed airbag.

Be aware of hot metal parts underneath the

deployed airbag fabric. These components are

located inside the steering wheel hub or behind

the dashboard when there is a deployed

passenger-side airbag SRS. These components

are somewhat out of the way and should pose nothreat.

NOTE: the airbag fabric, steering column,

and steering wheel rim and spokes will not be

hot.

Never cut or drill directly into an airbag SRS

module or attempt to take the module apart. This

will avoid exposure to toxic chemicals. Do not

touch exposed chemicals in the unlikely event themetal inflator canister of an airbag SRS module is

ruptured or cut.

Push deflated airbag aside for occupant removal.

Airbags deflate at once after a deployment. There

is no need to cover, remove, or repack the airbagduring rescue operations.

Occupants can sustain minor skin redness or

abrasions from contact with a deploying airbag,

eg on the inside of the forearm or on the chin.


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MYTH - Rescuers must wait 10 to 20 minutes

before approaching a vehicle with a deployed

airbag SRS, to allow for cooling and venting

time.

FACT - Do not delay. The steering wheel rimand column, and airbag fabric will not be hot.

Smoke from a deployment should not be a

concern.

MYTH - Disconnecting the car battery willdeploy the airbag SRS in 15 to 20 minutes.

FACT - Disconnecting the battery cable will not

deploy an airbag SRS. In fact, in most vehicles,

disconnecting the car battery may begin de-

activation of the airbag SRS by discharging toground any stored energy in a back-up power

capacitor.

MYTH - The airbag SRS will not deploy

following disconnection of the car battery.

FACT - An electrical type airbag SRS is capable

of deploying during the deactivation period of the

back-up power supply following disconnection ofthe car battery.

In addition, a mechanical type airbag SRS may

be capable of deploying at any time regardless of

whether or not the car battery has been

disconnected.Delayed deployment is, however, extremely

unlikely. The list at the end of these guidelines

includes airbag SRS de-activation data for most

vehicles. This list will be updated periodically.

RESCUE MYTHS


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MYTH - An airbag SRS contains an explosivesolid that can react like a cannon in a fire.

FACT - Today's airbag SRS modules contain a

flammable solid, not an explosive. Rapid

burning of the solid chemical inflates the airbag

with inert gases. An airbag SRS does notexplode in a crash or a fire.

MYTH - Rescue personnel may be overcome by

highly toxic airbag SRS deployment smoke and

dust.

FACT - Airbag SRS deployment smoke is

normal. The airbag is not burning or ruptured.

Chemical analysis of the smoke and dust shows

no reason for concern.

Tests conducted with volunteers; chronicasthmatics highly susceptible to airborne

particles, showed that the atmosphere produced

by a deployment posed no respiratory system

hazard. The test engineers and technicians, who

regularly handle deployed airbags and test

dummies, have not reported ill effects fromexposure to the deployments.

MYTH - The vehicle interior, airbag, and

occupants will be covered in a hazardous residue.

FACT - Any powdery residue consists of corn

starch or talcum powder and sodium compounds,

mostly sodium carbonates (eg baking soda). Very

small deposits of sodium hydroxide are also

present. The powdery residue may irritate the

skin and eyes, but poses no long term healthhazard. The powder is slightly alkaline but is not

considered toxic


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Identifying an airbag SRS check for "SRS" or "AIRBAG" on steering

wheel hub and above the glovebox

check for "SRS" or "AIRBAG" on the sides ofseats, the top of pillars or knee area to see ifthe vehicle is equipped with other airbag SRS

items.

check for a label or placard in the passengercompartment particularly on the sun visor or

under the bonnet.

check for a larger and more rectangularsteering wheel hub.

Note - this does not apply to Eurobag

system (eg BMW).

compare the VIN number with manufacturersdata.

refer to the vehicle list at the end of theseguidelines.

SUMMARY OF RESCUER'S GUIDE TO AIRBAG SRS


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De-activating an airbag SRS refer to the vehicle list at the end of these

guidelines.

Fire procedures

use standard fire extinguishing proceduresfirst. Carry out operations from the side of the

vehicle, away from the potential deployment of

the airbag.

Vehicle recovery - towing

safely disconnect battery if the vehicle has anundeployed airbag SRS and has sustained

major frontal damage. Beaware this may not

de-activate the system.

Vehicle Scrapping safely deploy the airbag in accordance with

manufacturers instructions prior to scrapping.

How to identify a vehicle fitted with Seatbelt

Pretensioner SRS

The pyrotechnic module is generally located in

the pillar but may be on the stalk

However, there are no visible markings on the

seatbelt module to indicate if a Seatbelt

Pretensioner SRS is installed on the belt.

There may be a label or placard fitted to the

following;

driver-side door passenger side door lower corner of the windscreenIn most cases vehicles fitted with a seatbelt

pretensioner SRS can be identified by comparing

Rescue with Pyrotechnic Seatbelt

tensioners


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the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) withmanufacturers data.

Rescue with undeployed seatbelt pretensioner

SRS

The pyrotechnic charge of the pretensioner is not

sufficient to pose a serious risk to rescuers unless

it is tampered with.

If the pretensioner has not deployed DO NOT

attempt to de-activate the SRS module. Instead,

cut through the fabric of the seat belt. If the

occupant must continue to be restrained prior to

rescue, attempt to find an alternative means of

interim restraint.

All rescuers in the close vicinity of the vehicleshould be advised that the SRS has not deployed,

as the noise generated from unexpected

deployment can startle.

Rescue with Deployed Seatbelt PretensionerSRS

It may not be readily obvious that the module has

deployed, do not assume it has.

If the module has deployed, there is no further

restriction to rescue attempts. However, themodule should not be interfered with. It is

recommendedthat the seatbelt be cut to allow

removal of the occupant.

Vehicle Fire

As per airbag SRS, perform fire extinguishingprocedures away from the module of the

pretensioner.

In the rare case of an interior occupant

compartment fire, a pyrotechnic module may self-

deploy with the increase of internal temperature.Deployment will pull an occupant back to an

upright sitting position, which may cause further

injury or distress. If at all possible, cut the

seatbelt fabric to prevent pull back on the

occupant.


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Vehicle Towing

Standard towing procedures are unlikely to

deploy an undeployed pyrotechnic seatbelt

pretensioner. However, seat belts should be

either cut or fastened for towing.

As it is not always possible to confirmdeployment of the seatbelt pretensioner, the

vehicle should be treated as per undeployed

vehicles.

Why seatbelts may not havedeployed.There is a general misconception that airbags

provide a soft cushion and will prevent bruising

or other minor injuries in low severity crashes.

This is incorrect SRS airbags are designed to

reduce peak loads on the head and chest in severe

crashes (those where death or long term brain

injury are possible).

When deploying, the airbag is firm, but it absorbsenergy as the gases are released through the vents

While airbags significantly reduce the risk of

serious or fatal injury in crashes, there are some

risks from the deployment of airbags in low speedcrashes. For this reason modern cars use a range

of intelligent sensing functions to ensure that a

crash is really happening (not just a bump in the

road or a minor knock in the car park) and to fire

airbags at the best time. This reduces the

likelihood of airbags deploying in minor crashes.

Modern design and construction methods used in

todays vehicles include progressive crumple

zones in the body and frame structure to reduce

the rate of deceleration in severe frontal impacts.

For this reason, damage sustained by a vehicle in

a head-on collision may appear quite extensive

and the airbags may not have deployed because


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the crumple zones have absorbed a significantamount of the energy of the impact.

In these cases, the airbag sensors have detected

that the rate of vehicle deceleration has not been

sufficient to require triggering of the airbags.

Typically, driver and or passenger airbags deploy

in head-on collisions where the force of the

impact is equal to or greater than striking an

immovable and non deformable barrier (such assteel or concrete) at a speed of around 18 to 25

kph or higher. In offset collisions or in a head-on

collision with another vehicle or other deformable

and or movable object, the speed would generally

need to be significantly higher than 25kph for the

airbags to deploy

Airbags designed for frontal impacts usually do

not deploy in rear end collisions, side impacts,

rollover accidents or in most underride accidents.

In addition to frontal impacts as described above,airbags may deploy in cases where:

a moderate to severe impact has beensustained by a vehicles undercarriage

such as when striking an elevated

median strip or kerb,

a wheel has struck a deep (severe) holeor pothole, or

when driving down a very steep slopeand the front strikes the ground at the

end of the slope.

Damage to vehicle body panels may appearrelatively minor in these cases.

Owners should refer to their vehicle Owners

Manual for further explanation of airbag

deployment parameters and characteristics.


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AIRBAGSRSIDENTIFICATION AND DE-ACTIVATION LIST

The following list gives airbag SRS identification and de-activation information on a model-to-model basis.

Before inclusion, each model entry has been agreed to by the manufacturer. If a particular model has not been

included in the list, do not automatically assume that it is not fitted with an airbag SRS. The information may not

have been available at the time of publishing.

The Department of Transport and Regional Services intends to update this list periodically.Legend

Make vehicle make and model.

Airbag fitted D = driver-side, P = passenger-side, S = side (front or rear), K = knee

W or C = window / curtain, * = optional, X = noneType electrical, mechanical and whether fitted with internal sensors (self-contained system)

or external sensors (see item 3 (iii) on page 8).

Fitted from first date fitted to vehicle.

VIN Vehicle Identification Number or relevant part of it.

VIN position position of VIN on the vehicle.

Identifiers SRS airbag labels, decals, placards etc.

De-ac period time period for airbag SRS system to de-activate.

De-ac method method to start de-activation.


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