Hi all, I read all of the SCCA chatter on this subject ( Thanks for the
website, Bill) and the 2 years apparently comes from SFI 16.1 Paragraph
2.12, where it states"The useful life of the webbing in the straps shall
not exceed two years and they must be replaced at or before that time."
This seems to me to be an arbitrary statement, with no data backing it
up. The test procedure doesn't address the useful life of belts as far
as I can see (Does anyone have access to SAE as 8043, Torso Restraint
Systems? I'll check my SAE website to see if it's free). This is what
they test the products to.
It would appear to me that the two years exposure to the elements is
from the fact that most aircraft don't use sun screens to eliminate
exposure to the UV. That said, it appears to me that the two years is
under the absolutely worst conditions, full exposure to the sun, high
heat of an enclosed cockpit, etc., and that we, as racers don't subject
our belts to anything near this type of UV exposure or heat loading.
If anyone is curious about the SFI spec. they e-mailed me a copy in
PDF format, just let me know if you'd like a copy, be patient, I'd like
to wait and send it just once to everyone(It's ~670Kb).
Thanks,
Mark Haynes
RMVR
ASME
SAE
Derek wrote:
>Hi Rick
>
>To the best of my knowledge no one has applied any wisdom
>to this question. Many clubs mandate 5 years. In fact new
>belts now have a "do not use beyond" date sewn in.
>Unfortunately no evidence exists to support this.
>
>SCCA is talking about 2 years - again with no evidence.
>
>Most belts at five years and many beyond that are quite
>able to meet required test and use requiremnts - assuming
>no maltreatment like leaving them out in the Florida sun
>all year round, or soaking them in oil, or chaffing the
>webbing, etc.
>
>As always - YMMV
>
>Derek
>
>--- GOFASTMG@aol.com wrote:
>
>
>>What is the collective wisdom of the list regarding the
>>age of harness and belts?
>>
>>I have heard everything from one to five years as the
>>safe age of harness'
>>before they need to be retired. And I'd really like
>>something definitive,
>>especially from anyone involved in tech inspection/rule
>>making areas.
>>
>>thanks
>>Rick Morrison
>>MGB #34
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