CONTENTS
0. legislative provisions............................................................................ 3
Purpose and SCOPE.................................................................................................. 3
APPLICABILITY.............................................................................................................. 3
3.1. DEFINITIONS.................................................................................................... 4
3.2. REQUIREMENTS............................................................................................... 4
3.3. TEST PROCEDURE........................................................................................... 6
3.4. ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS.......................................................................... 7
NOTES ............................................................................................................................ 8
0. legislative provisions
0.1. NAME OF STANDARD
0.1.1. This Standard is the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 3/00 – Seat Anchorages) 2006.
0.1.2. This Standard may also be cited as Australian Design Rule 3/00 — Seat Anchorages.
0.2. COMMENCEMENT
0.2.1. This Standard commences on the day after it is registered.
0.3. REPEAL
0.3.1. This Standard repeals each vehicle standard with the name Australian Design Rule 3/00 — Seat Anchorages that is:
(a) made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989; and
(b) in force at the commencement of this Standard.
0.3.2. This Standard also repeals each instrument made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 that creates a vehicle standard with the name Australian Design Rule 3/00 — Seat Anchorages, if there are no other vehicle standards created by that instrument, or amendments to vehicle standards made by that instrument, that are still in force at the commencement of this Standard.
Purpose and SCOPE
This Australian Design Rule (ADR) is part of the Australian motor vehicle standards system and is a national standard for the purpose of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989
The function of this Australian Design Rule is to specify requirements for `Seats’, their attachment assemblies and their installation to minimise the possibility of occupant injury due to forces acting on the 'Seat’ as a result of vehicle impact.
APPLICABILITY
This ADR applies to the design and construction of vehicles as set out in the table hereunder.
| Vehicle Category | ADR Category Code | UNECE Category Code * | Manufactured on or After | Acceptable Prior Rules |
| Moped 2 wheels | LA | L1 | Not Applicable | |
| Moped 3 wheels | LB | L2 | Not Applicable | |
| Motor cycle | LC | L3 | Not Applicable | |
| Motor cycle and sidecar | LD | L4 | Not Applicable | |
| Motor tricycle | LE | L5 | Not Applicable | |
| Passenger car | MA | M1 | 1 July 1988 | Nil |
| Forward-control passenger vehicle | MB | M1 | 1 July 1988 | Nil |
| Off-road passenger vehicle | MC | M1 | 1 July 1988 | Nil |
| Light omnibus | MD | M2 | | |
| | up to 3.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ and up to 12 seats | MD1 | | 1 July 1988 | Nil |
| | up to 3.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ and more than 12 seats | MD2 | | 1 July 1988 | Nil |
| | over 3.5 tonnes and up to 4.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ | MD3 | | Not Applicable | |
| | over 4.5 tonnes and up to 5 tonnes ‘GVM’ | MD4 | | Not Applicable | |
| Heavy omnibus | ME | M3 | Not Applicable | |
| Light goods vehicle | NA | N1 | 1 July 1988 | Nil |
| Medium goods vehicle | NB | N2 | | |
| | over 3.5 tonnes up to 4.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ | NB1 | | 1 July 1988 | Nil |
| | over 4.5 tonnes up to 12 tonnes ‘GVM’ | NB2 | | Not Applicable | |
| Heavy goods vehicle | NC | N3 | Not Applicable | |
| Very light trailer | TA | O1 | Not Applicable | |
| Light trailer | TB | O2 | Not Applicable | |
| Medium trailer | TC | O3 | Not Applicable | |
| Heavy trailer | TD | O4 | Not Applicable | |
3.1. DEFINITIONS
3.1.0. Refer to Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005.
3.2. REQUIREMENTS
3.2.0. For light omnibuses (MD2), the requirements only apply to front 'Seats' and the requirements of Clause 3.2.1.1.2 shall not apply.
3.2.1. Except for side facing 'Seats'. and except for 'Seats' to the rear of the front row of `Seats' for light omnibuses (MD2), each 'Seat' shall withstand the loads specified in Clauses 3.2.1.1; 3.2.1.2; and 3.2.1.3. Any 'Head Restraint' proposed to be used shall be included in the 'Seat.
3.2.1.1. The following loads shall be applied separately:
3.2.1.1.1. Twenty times the weight of the entire seat in a ‘Forward’ longitudinal direction simultaneously with, if part or all of the `Seat Belt Assembly' is directly attached to the 'Seat', the total load imposed on the 'Seat' by simultaneous application of loads required for seat belt `Anchorage’ specified in the Australian Design Rule for 'Anchorages for Seat Belts and Child Restraints'. When the `Seat Belt Assembly' is attached to the 'Seat', the 'Seat' shall be located in the full ‘Forward’ and upward design position.
3.2.1.1.1.1. An additional test, with the seat belt ‘Anchorages’ load applied, is required with the 'Seat' in the rearmost position to demonstrate compliance with the Australian Design Rule for ‘Anchorages for Seat Belts and Child Restraints’.
3.2.1.1.2. Twenty times the weight of the entire 'Seat' in a ‘Forward’ longitudinal direction simultaneously with, where the `Child Restraint Anchorages' are located in or on the ‘Seat’ back, or are located in the vehicle body structure more than 100 mm below a horizontal plane tangential to the point on the top of the 'Seat' back longitudinally 'Forward’ of the 'Child Restraint Anchorage', a total load of 3.4 kN for each , imposed on the 'Seat' by simultaneous application to each 'Anchorage' by a flexible connection which passes over the top of the `Seat' back to the 'Child Restraint Anchorage'. Each load shall be applied 'Forward’ of the `Seat' back not more than 5o above or below the horizontal, and not more than 5o lo left or right of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
3.2.1.2. A load equal to 20 times the weight of the entire 'Seat' shall be applied in a 'Rearward' longitudinal direction.
3.2.1.3. A load equal to a 370 N.m moment about the `Seating Reference Point' for each occupant position for which the 'Seat' is designed shall be applied to the upper cross member in ’Rearward’ longitudinal direction, unless it is demonstrated that 'Seat' assemblies such as rear 'Seat' backs are supported by a vehicle body member capable of withstanding the nominated load.
3.2.1.3.1. Testing which meets the 370 N.m requirement by any one of the following 3 methods is acceptable:
3.2.1.3.1.1. force applied horizontally,
3.2.1.3.1.2. force applied normal to 'Seat' back; or
3.2.1.3.1.3. force applied longitudinally and 'Rearward' to, the upper part of the 'Seat' back frame through a component simulating the back of a 3-D manikin
3.2.1.3.1.4. If deflection of the `Seat' back causes the moment arm to change, the force should be adjusted to ensure that the moment value of 370 N.m is achieved.
3.2.2. The 'Seat Adjusters' need not be operable after the application of the loads specified in Clauses 3.2.1.1, 3.2.1.2 and 3.2.1.3.
3.2.3. Restraining Device for Folding or Hinged `Seats' or ‘Seat’ Backs
3.2.3.0. Except far a `Seat' having a back that is adjustable only for the comfort of its occupants hinged or folding `Seats' or 'Seat' backs shall be equipped with a self-locking device for restraining the hinged or folding `Seat' or 'Seat' back and a release control for releasing that restraining device to preclude the possibility of impact forces acting on unrestrained hinged or folding 'Seats' or 'Seat' backs.
3.2.3.1. Where the 'Seat' must hinge or fold to permit access to or egress from another seating position, the release control shall be readily accessible to the occupant of that `Seat' and to the occupant of any 'Seat' immediately behind that ‘Seat’.
3.2.3.2. The restraining device (including the release control) shall be constructed to preclude inertial release when loaded longitudinally in each direction to 20 times the acceleration due to gravity.
3.2.3.3. The restraining device shall not release or fail when a 'Forward' longitudinal load equal to 20 times the mass of the entire `Seat' back is applied at the centre of gravity of the 'Seat' back.
3.2.3.4. If non-self-locking auxiliary latches are provided they shall be unlatched during testing so that only the restraining device and hinges are taking the rest loads.
3.2.3.5. Where ’Seats' are mounted on hinged covers, e.g. engine covers, and the 'Seat' assembly can withstand the test loads without tilting of the hinged cover and without any latches being latched, then the latches need not be self-locking.
3.3. TEST PROCEDURE
3.3.1. General
3.3.1.0. Static or dynamic testing techniques may be used.
3.3.1.1. The 'Seat' travel stops shall not take any part of the test load.
3.3.1.2. Folding or hinged 'Seats', or ‘Seats’ with backs which are adjustable for passenger comfort only, shall be tested with the 'Seat' back at the design 'Seat Back Angle’.
3.3.2. Static Test Condition
3.3.2.1. Static testing of 'Seats' shall be conducted in accordance with SAE document J879b "Motor Vehicle Seating Systems", July 1968, using the values specified in and the procedures applicable to this Rule.
3.3.2.2. Distributed loads may be replaced by concentrated loads at the loading centroid.
3.3.2.3. Specified loads shall be sustained for at least one second.
3.3.3. Dynamic Test Conditions
3.3.3.1. Dynamic testing may be carried out in accordance with the dynamic test procedure of EEC Directive 74/408/EEC- "Strength of Seats and their Anchorages" for front-facing 'Seats' which do not tip up/fold/hinge and which do not incorporate any built-in seat belt 'Anchorages'.
3.3.3.2. Alternatively, the following criteria shall be met:
3.3.3.2.1. the acceleration pulse applied shall be such that all the part of the 'Seat' and supporting structure which anchors it to the vehicle have at least an acceleration of 20 times the acceleration due to gravity simultaneously in the same direction: and
3.3.3.2.2. any additional forces due to the loading of seat belt 'Anchorages' or 'Child Restraint Anchorages' shall be achieved simultaneously with the acceleration required in Clause 3.3.3.2.1 above.
3.3.3.3. Copies shall be kept of:
3.3.3.3.1. traces recorded for all acceleration and force measurements used during the test, with the scales shown thereon; and
3.3.3.3.2. photographs of the 'Seat' and supporting structure (including restraining devices and release controls where fitted) before and after each dynamic test
3.4. ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS
The technical requirements of ECE R 17/02 "Seats and their Anchorages" together with, where applicable, the technical requirements of either Cause 3.2.1.1.1 or ECE R 14/01 or 14/02 "Safety Belt Anchorages" and of Clause 3.2.1.1.2 shall be deemed to be equivalent to the technical requirements of this Rule for front-facing ‘Seats’ which do not tip up/fold/hinge.