Head Impact Testing
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 201U – Upper Interior Head Impact Protection involves propelling a Hybrid III dummy head in a free-flight condition into specific targets located by the test procedure. This testing is commonly referred to as “Free Motion Headform” or FMH testing. According to the NHTSA regulation, all vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,000 lbs or less must meet these requirements. This regulation applies to all types of vehicles, except walk-in delivery-type vehicles. MGA has been conducting FMVSS 201-U compliance testing for the NHTSA and the automotive industry for many years.
The Basic Test Parameters include:
Impact areas include pillars, side rails, headers, roof
10.0 lbs modified Hybrid III dummy head
14.7 ± 0.2 mph impact velocity per NHTSA
Tri-axial acceleration at the Head CG
Unconstrained motion of the FMH (free flight)
Acceleration-based injury index (HIC(d)#1000)
HOW CAN MGA HELP YOU WITH FMVSS 201U?
Free hands-on and instructional seminars held at our Michigan test laboratory
Extensive testing services including complete vehicle targeting, component-level testing, product development, and full vehicle validation testing using the NHTSA test procedure
Assistance with counter-measure development utilizing a wide material supplier base
Customized state-of-the-art test equipment available for purchase as well as rental
MGA-Michigan Dynamic Test Facility MGA
Phone: (248) 577-5001 Fax: (248) 577-5025 Helen A. Kaleto – helen.kaleto@mgaresearch.com David Gotwals – david.gotwals@mgaresearch.com
MGA-Wisconsin Crash Test Center MGA
Phone: (262) 763-2705; Fax: (262) 763-0934 David Winkelbauer (Director of Operations) – david.winkelbauer@mgaresearch.com
NHTSA Website for Rules and Regulations: www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/rulings/