Airbag Safety

External Airbags

Douglas Gan — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:28:37 GMT

New developments in pedestrian and bicyclist safety are top of mind for airbag designers and vehicle makers today. Now, concerns for those outside the vehicle are proving just as important as those riding inside cars. Car makers like Toyota and Ford, working together with Autoliv and Bosch (among others) have designed and begun testing airbags to protect pedestrians and bicyclists.

Automakers are literally thinking outside the box to keep vehicle related injuries down and help reduce the costs of accident claims.

"The system, designed by Autoliv Inc, uses an airbag mounted in the A-Pillar of the car. When a front end impact is detected, the airbag inflates covering most of the bonnet and screen (windshield).
As part of the development into benefits for not only bikers but cyclists too, the Dutch Cycling Federation has said that over 60 lives could be saved and over 1500 serious injuries could be avoided every year by using these airbags in Holland.

Autoliv Inc said there is no news yet on price or availability yet, but that the system should be available for final testing in the near future."

(article by Visordown News)

...and, airbags are not just for cars anymore. Check out these new releases from Honda and Dianese for their new airbag protection on motorcycles.

Accidental Airbag Deployment

Douglas Gan — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:14:31 GMT

What is the best method of airbag deactivation?
How safe is it?
What about the new Hybrid vehicles?
What causes an accidental airbag deployment?
How can individuals protect themselves from personal harm caused by accidental deployments?

These are the critical questions on the minds of technicians, first-responders and car buffs as they work around vehicles with airbags. New cars can have as many as twelve airbags…now, there’s an accidental deployment waiting to happen!!

Take a look at this video showing how powerful and dangerous these ‘safety devices’ can be when they deploy inadvertently.

(Click on photo -- link to video)

There are many reasons why these systems malfunction, but for the most part, it’s human error and common misconceptions that cause the problem.

Let's explore the questions we posed earlier:

What is the best method of airbag deactivation?

Airbag deactivation:

Disconnect the battery and walk away for for 10-20 minutes.

All airbag systems have a backup power supply. This is primarily designed to allow the airbag system to deploy if the battery or power supply is damaged during the accident, but prior to any impact hat may harm the occupants. These power supplies can remain ‘hot’ for up to 20 minutes after the primary power supply is disconnected.

How safe is it?

For the most part, this procedure will disarm the system, HOWEVER, there are new problems that have arisen that are not the responsibility of the manufacturer. These problems arise when owners, technicians or other individuals begin installing aftermarket components, like cell phone adapters and cradles, i-pod/i-phone docking stations or auto computer / radio memory-savers.

These units are power supplies themselves and will back-feed power into the vehicle rearming airbags even with the main battery disconnected. To clarify this point, no matter how long you unplug the battery of a vehicle, if cell phones, i-pods or memory savers are plugged in or in use, the AIRBAGS ARE STILL LIVE!

What about the new Hybrid vehicles?

3) The new Hybrid and electric cars are a world to themselves.
As this technology develops, each manufacturer's guidelines must be followed for proper and safe deactivation of the power systems.

What causes accidental airbag deployment?

(Click on photo -- link to video)

1) Airbag systems are designed to deploy specific airbags under very specific impact, inertia and gravitational (g-force) conditions. Accidental deployment typically occurs during one of 3 conditions:

a. Manufacturer defects. If you want to check to see if your vehicle has been the subject of an airbag defect, recall or investigation, simply click on this link to enter your vehicle data.

b. Environmental conditions. We have found that moisture, rust, salt residue and other natural occurring elements and conditions can trigger the airbag firing mechanisms, causing an accidental airbag deployment. (see previous blog),

c. Human involvement. Many times though, it’s human intervention that causes an airbag to deploy without proper cause. Installations of aftermarket products, like radios, DVD players or custom interior dash lights are the most frequent culprits. A misplaced screw driven through a wiring harness, a pinched or shorted wire or a probe from a powered test light can all send power to the wrong circuit and cause the airbag to deploy instantly.

How can individuals protect themselves from personal harm caused by accidental deployment?

Never work on or around an airbag with a “LIVE” battery or power source connected.
Never tamper with, remove or service an airbag system without first knowing the dangers, precautions and procedures for proper removal, service or installation.
Follow the manufacturer guidelines for deactivation. Every manufacturer is different and has procedures available in their repair manuals and shop service manuals.
Use new, sealed, factory parts. Aftermarket, used and reconditioned parts do not always conform to the same strict safety guidelines required by law and may have been damaged, altered or tampered with affecting their dependability and safety. In addition, each state has its own regulations governing the sale and installation of used airbags.
Contact a professional in the business.

Airbag safety is nothing to ignore. Too many professionals, technicians and 'first responders' have already seen the cost of accidental deployment. Airbag systems are designed to be powerful and effective. They deploy with the same powerful forces regardless of whether it's during a collision or as a consequence of an accidental deployment. Keeping a safe distance, working with knowledge of each vehicle's system and respecting the dangers involved will keep you safe when working around airbags.

For additional information on the best methods of safe deactivation, we always recommend obtaining vehicle specific manufacturer instructions.

Some of the photos and videos used in this blog are courtesy of extrication and accident scene safety rescue experts, Lee Junkins: Midsouth Rescue Technologies and Todd Hoffman: www.sceneoftheaccident.org

There's Something In The Air

Douglas Gan — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:16:04 GMT

"I thought my car was on fire after my accident. My airbag went off with such a noise and the next thing I knew I was surrounded by smoke. I just knew I had to get out of there!"

Whenever an airbag deploys, the occupants are subjected to an array of chemicals and substances foreign to most people. New information regarding these combustibles is now available. We have learned of potentially harmful side effects as airbags continue to evolve.

(photo courtesy of National Science Foundation)

At Airbagsolutions.com, we keep you informed so you and your customers will have the most recent and practical data. We continually monitor and research new information from all the manufacturers as well as independent studies to stay on top of our field.

These are the results of the information available today regarding chemicals and dangers in airbags.

Before a Deployment
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This is the most dangerous time to handle an airbag! The air bag inflator cartridges contain an explosive chemical, sodium azide. This is the same chemical used in making solid rocket propellants.

(photo courtesy of www.swicofil.com)

If the airbag has not been deployed, this material can be dangerous to handle. It can explode, it can cause burns if it gets on unprotected skin, and it can severely irritate the lungs if inhaled. These units are sealed from the factory and should never be opened, or tampered with. They are a "replacement only" item.

Driver's Airbag w/ Inflator Seat Airbag w/ Inflator

The danger is amplified if sodium azide comes in contact with heavy metals in the car, such as lead and copper, because these may react to form a volatile explosive.

NaN₃ + H₂O ---> HN₃ + NaOH.

But most importantly, when sodium azide (NaNO₃) is mixed with water (sweat or tears) it forms hydrazoic acid (HN₃). This new chemical is highly toxic, becomes airborne easily and is potentially explosive. The other byproduct is Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) and this is the one that hurts!!!

Here is a list of the medical information available regarding

Sodium Hydroxide

Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------
Inhalation:
Severe irritant. Effects from inhalation of dust or mist vary from mild irritation to serious damage of the upper respiratory tract, depending on severity of exposure. Symptoms may include sneezing, sore throat or runny nose. Severe pneumonitis may occur.
Ingestion:
Corrosive! Swallowing may cause severe burns of mouth, throat, and stomach. Severe scarring of tissue and death may result. Symptoms may include bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, fall in blood pressure. Damage may appear days after exposure.
Skin Contact:
Corrosive! Contact with skin can cause irritation or severe burns and scarring with greater exposures.
Eye Contact:
Corrosive! Causes irritation of eyes, and with greater exposures it can cause burns that may result in permanent impairment of vision, even blindness.
Chronic Exposure:
Prolonged contact with dilute solutions or dust has a destructive effect upon tissue.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems or impaired respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance.

(source..Material Safety Data Sheet )

During a Deployment
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Airbags use cornstarch or some other powder to help lubricate them. The powder floats around in a cloud for a few minutes after the airbag is deployed, and that looks like smoke. Although the airbag cloud is usually harmless and is not a fire or fire hazard, there have been reported cases of the airbag itself catching fire during a deployment. The smoky cloud may cause mild respiratory distress. If you have trouble breathing, you should step away from the cloud to get to fresh air.

There are also serious and physical dangers reported by hundreds of accident victims. Scrapes from the abrasive material and burns from the high heat during deployment are among the most common complaints and concerns.

After a Deployment
-----------------------------------------------------------------

After the air bags have been deployed, handling and disposing of the airbag is no longer dangerous, and you will not have to take special handling precautions, however latex gloves and breathing filters are both recommended by the manufacturers.

(photo courtesy of Stolen & Recovered)

If the vehicle is going to a salvage yard, laws in most states require the airbags to be manually deployed.

Liquid Electronic Connections

Douglas Gan — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 02:05:03 GMT

It’s now been 2 years since stories of flood cars from Hurricane Katrina saturated the world of ‘buyer-beware’. But it’s not just flood cars that cause problems. Other liquids like spilled milk, snow melt, pressure washed carpeting or a leaking windshield can cause serious problems too. Let us show you just how serious a wet floor can be!

Our expertise is in airbag systems, airbag replacement and airbag service, so we are often called upon to do investigations for insurance companies, attorneys and individuals involving accidental or inadvertent airbag deployment. After inspecting many such vehicles and knowing the serious personal injuries they can cause, the reason for these airbag deployments are shocking. What we have found has a common theme...liquids and electronics do not mix!!

This article will show you exactly what happens; not necessarily immediately, but 6 months, 1 year or even up to 4 or 5 years down the road. Once you know the facts, just being aware of these potentially serious situations and hazards can help you deal with the causes and may just save you from serious personal harm.

Although an estimated 500,000-600,000 cars were damaged by the hurricane and subsequent flood waters, many non-flood vehicles are susceptible to the same type of damages. What damage? Water or moisture collecting under the seats and console damaging highly sensitive electronic components.

The airbag control units for most of the vehicles on the road today are located on the floor, or near the center of the vehicle under the seats and consoles. They are positioned there specifically by the manufacturers in order to replicate, as closely as possible, the effects of an accident on the passengers in the vehicle. But by being positioned at such a low point in the vehicle, they are at risk of contamination from water or many other situations. Some simple, normal, everyday things that happen when you drive a car can have severe consequences. Here are a few.

With winter coming and snow flying in many states, melted snow and ice will now be introduced to the floors of vehicles across the country. Turn on the heater and this snow and ice becomes water, saturating the carpet and ultimately draining to the lowest pint in the vehicle…the floor under the seats.

As vehicles in the ‘sun states’ get older and sit in the sun day after day, the soft rubber seals around the windshield begin to harden and crack. Once the brittle seal cracks or breaks, any rain or water from the car wash that hits the roof and windshield is now channeled into the car, hidden by the interior trim panels and travels down to the lowest points in the car…the floor and beneath the seats.

Or how about the used car dealer wanting to get the most for his cars? With the best intentions, he power cleans the interior of a every vehicle he gets from the auction. These are not flood cars, just used cars with soiled carpets. With a pressure wand in hand, or a power steamer, the carpets are purposely washed and then dried as well as possible. But it’s too late… the water that soaked the carpet during the process has already seeped through, drained under the seats and now collects on the metal floor, saturating the padding on the way and going exactly where we don’t want it wet; around the airbag control unit.

And with so many people eating and drinking in their vehicles, cup holders all over the dash and console, the potential for a spilled soft drink or cup of coffee is greater now than ever. And guess where that spilled liquid goes…Right, through the console to the floor, or between the seats where you can’t dry it up.

Whatever the reason, liquids make their way to the carpet and interior of the vehicles exactly where we don’t want it…mixing with the electronic control module.

Here’s what happens when water and electronics mix. These pictures capture the inevitable results of ignoring the problem of a wet floor. Over time, water can turn the part on the left into the part on the right. Which one is in your car?

The owner of the vehicle this part came from suffered serious injuries as the airbag deployed immediately upon starting her car one morning. She wasn’t belted in place, nor was she prepared for the impact of the airbag. She was just starting her car to go to work when she was hit in the face and jaw by an airbag at 200 mph. (General Motors Safety webpage)

Airbags are designed to protect us from injury, but just like so many other conveniences in our lives, they need care and maintenance to insure their reliability. Most car manufacturers recommend servicing the airbag systems every 10 years. Checking the floors for moisture buildup should be included in that procedure and done more often. As a vehicle owner though, it’s ultimately your responsibility to care for and maintain your car. After all, it’s you who is at risk.

Here are some simple things you can do to identify if your car is at risk. Be aware of any of the following indicators. They may indicate a serious problem brewing:

Dampness in the floor and carpeting; moisture on the inside of the instrument panel
Rust on interior screws and other metal parts
Mildew, debris and mold in places where it shouldn’t normally be found
- under the seats or carpeting,
- in the trunk, or
- in the rear floor wells
Water stains or discoloration of seat belts and door panels
A moldy odor or an intense smell of Lysol or deodorizer being used to cover up an odor problem

Keeping you safe and maintaining a properly operating airbag system is what Airbagsolutions.com is all about. For more information on airbags and common airbag situations, check out our website @ http://www.airbagsolutions.com

How many Lives Do Airbags Really Save?

Douglas Gan — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:33:24 GMT

Did you ever wonder just how many lives and people have been affected by airbags and seat belts? We are often asked that question and there are lots of statistics out there addressing this issue. We found it amazing how much these restraint systems have increasingly changed our lives and the lives of those around us year after year.

Although some of these statistics are good news, some of them are not:

Here are the answers that tell the real story.

In 2006, NHTSA conducted the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS). The overall observed shoulder belt use rate was 82 percent in 2005, compared to 80 percent observed in 2004.

From 1987 to 2005, a total of 19,659 lives were saved.

In 2005 alone, an estimated 2,740 lives were saved by air bags.

However also in 2005, 31,415 occupants were killed (passenger cars, light trucks, vans, and SUVs) in motor vehicle traffic crashes, 72 percent of the 43,443 traffic fatalities reported for the year. Of the 31,415 passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in 2005, restraint use was unknown for 2,229 (7%). Of the remaining 29,186 passenger vehicle occupant fatalities for which restraint use was known, 16,172 (55%) were unrestrained.

We found it amazing that over half of the people killed in motor vehicle accidents were not using restraints of any kind. Can you imagine how many families, friends, co-workers, husbands, wives, parents, children and loved ones whose lives would be so very different if these people used a restraint when they were driving? How many more loved ones would be with us if only for their own sake they 'buckled up'?

Airbags and seat belt safety restraint systems are helping. The data is very clear. But it only gets better when we get better. The automakers can only do so much to protect us and our family. We need to use these devices. We only need to put our infants in a child seat in the rear seat and buckle up whenever we are in a vehicle, as a driver or a passenger.

“In 2005, 66 percent of the passenger vehicle occupants 25 to 34 years old killed in traffic crashes were not using restraints — the highest percentage for any age group.”

There are lots of people counting on us to do the right thing.

(Source of information obtained from National Safety Council.)

“5 Stars”...How Safe Is That?

Douglas Gan — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 20:45:41 GMT

What exactly does the government “5 Star Crash Rating” mean? You won’t believe the answer!! If you’re in an accident, these ratings may not help you.

Almost every car company proudly displays their “5 Star Safety Crash Rating”, each manufacturer boasting their cars are safer than the others. But what does it all mean to you? How do they determine safety and how do they come up with a star program? Does a vehicle with a less than 5 star rating really mean it’s not safe to drive?

Let me begin to explain what they are all talking about. The ratings are determined by crash dummies, wired with sensors, placed in vehicles front and rear seats, and crashed into barriers to simulate an accident. But before we get into the particulars, let’s first understand the parameters.

1. The tests are conducted at speeds of 35 to 38.5 mph. Wait a minute.....35-38.5 mph? Who drives 35-38.5 mph. when the rest of the world is traveling at 45-75 mph? The government safety ratings do not cover anything over 38.5 mph. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety raises the bar though...they test at 40mph; a full 1 1⁄2 mile per hour faster...zoom, zoom.

2. Crash dummies only simulate full size adults, not teens, not children, not infants. Aren’t teenagers, children and infants passengers too? Why don’t they count in the ‘rating’ system?The crash dummies are wearing seat belts in all cases, front and rear seats...(everyone in vehicles always wears their seat belts, don’t they?).

3. The crash dummies are wired to measure injuries to head, neck, chest, pelvis, legs and feet, but all these findings are not included in the rating. The ratings only measure head and chest injuries for frontal crashes and head injuries only for side crashes (evidently, other injuries are not serious enough to count in a government study).

4. Impact assumptions are for similar vehicles, differing no more than 250 lbs. This means if you are driving a small, full size or luxury car and you hit an SUV or a minivan...the rating doesn’t count (and it certainly doesn’t count if you happen to hit a tractor trailer...those crashes might change the star ratings).

5. Finally, the rating is only referring to injuries that require immediate hospitalization or are life-threatening.

How about rear-end crashes, what are the ratings for that? Well, here’s what the government says about that:

“NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program has a limited budget and must
concentrate its ratings on front and side-impact crashes which every year are
responsible for the highest percentage of deaths and serious injuries.”

Here is a summary of the ratings we so proudly hold valuable...

For frontal crash ratings

	=	10 percent or less chance of serious injury
	=	11 percent to 20 percent chance of serious injury
	=	21 percent to 35 percent chance of serious injury
	=	36 percent to 45 percent chance of serious injury
	=	46 percent or greater chance of serious injury

For side crash ratings

	=	5 percent or less chance of serious injury
	=	6 percent to 10 percent chance of serious injury
	=	11 percent to 20 percent chance of serious injury
	=	21 percent to 25 percent chance of serious injury
	=	26 percent or greater chance of serious injury

...and here’s what this all means to you.

1) If you happen to be in a crash faster than 38.5 mph, forget about the rating scales altogether!

2) If you are a teen, child or infant sitting anywhere in the car, forget about the rating scale altogether!

3) If you hit any vehicle that is larger, smaller, or not almost exactly what you are driving, forget about the rating scale altogether!

4) If you are not wearing your seat belt, forget about the rating scale altogether!

5) If someone at the accident scene says “you look fine”, forget about the rating scale altogether!

6) If you happen to be driving a “5 Star Rated” vehicle at 32 mph, hit a car head-on exactly like yours and are
wearing your seat belt, according to the ratings you still have a 1 in 10 chance of being killed!

7) Lastly, if you are driving a “1 Star Rated” vehicle (I don’t know of any) and are in the same accident, you still have a 50-50 chance of surviving.

It seems that we have a rating system that sounds good, seems like a good measurement of safety, and should provide us with adequate information regarding the dangers of an accident. But for goodness sake, our rating systems barely work for restaurants and do nothing for the motion picture or record industry. How can we think, even for a moment, that it will save our life?

On one hand, airbags and seat belts have certainly saved people from serious injury. But on the other hand, the truth is we have created a “Star System” offering incredible false security; a means of telling ourselves that we are totally protected should we get into an accident, when in fact we are barely protected at best.   The truth is we are not driving around in a “bubble of airbag safety” by any means. Regardless of the safety rating of any vehicle we must drive as if our life depended on it! It does!!

Unibody construction, seat belts, side impact bars in our doors, front, side, knee airbags and curtains, shock absorbing bumpers and crumple zones are all good ideas. But we must be fundamentally aware that none of these safety items will save us if we are driving at normal highway speeds, and an oncoming vehicle crosses into our lane.

Driving on today’s roads, with speed limits up to 75 mph is a serious and life threatening event. We need to depend on ourselves, not on a rating system.

So the next time you hear about a “5 Star Rated” vehicle, ask yourself “How safe is that?”.

Source of information obtained from the following:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration / Safercar.gov

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety