Appendix D to Part 229 - Criteria for Certification of Crashworthy Event Recorder Memory Module
49:4.1.1.1.23.7.31.1.54 : Appendix D
Appendix D to Part 229 - Criteria for Certification of Crashworthy
Event Recorder Memory Module
Section 229.135(b) requires that certain locomotives be equipped
with an event recorder that includes a certified crashworthy event
recorder memory module. This appendix prescribes the requirements
for certifying an event recorder memory module (ERMM) as
crashworthy, including the performance criteria and test sequence
for establishing the crashworthiness of the ERMM as well as the
marking of the event recorder containing the crashworthy ERMM.
A. General Requirements
1. Each manufacturer that represents its ERMM as crashworthy
shall, by marking it as specified in Section B of this appendix,
certify that the ERMM meets the performance criteria contained in
this appendix and that test verification data are available to a
railroad or to FRA upon request.
2. The test verification data shall contain, at a minimum, all
pertinent original data logs and documentation that the test sample
preparation, test set up, test measuring devices and test
procedures were performed by designated, qualified personnel using
recognized and acceptable practices. Test verification data shall
be retained by the manufacturer or its successor as long as the
specific model of ERMM remains in service on any locomotive.
3. A crashworthy ERMM shall be marked by its manufacturer as
specified in Section B of this appendix.
B. Marking Requirements
1. The outer surface of the event recorder containing a
certified crashworthy ERMM shall be colored international orange.
In addition, the outer surface shall be inscribed, on the surface
allowing the most visible area, in black letters on an
international orange background, using the largest type size that
can be accommodated, with the words CERTIFIED DOT CRASHWORTHY,
followed by the ERMM model number (or other such designation), and
the name of the manufacturer of the event recorder. This
information may be displayed as follows:
CERTIFIED DOT CRASHWORTHY Event Recorder Memory Module Model Number
Manufacturer's Name Marking “CERTIFIED DOT CRASHWORTHY” on an event
recorder designed for installation in a railroad locomotive is the
certification that all performance criteria contained in this
appendix have been met and all functions performed by, or on behalf
of, the manufacturer whose name appears as part of the marking,
conform to the requirements specified in this appendix.
2. Retro-reflective material shall be applied to the edges of
each visible external surface of an event recorder containing a
certified crashworthy ERMM.
C. Performance Criteria for the ERMM
An ERMM is crashworthy if it has been successfully tested for
survival under conditions of fire, impact shock, static crush,
fluid immersion, and hydro-static pressure contained in one of the
two tables shown in this section of appendix D. (See Tables
1 and 2.) Each ERMM must meet the individual performance criteria
in the sequence established in Section D of this appendix. A
performance criterion is deemed to be met if, after undergoing a
test established in this appendix D for that criterion, the ERMM
has preserved all of the data stored in it. The data set stored in
the ERMM to be tested shall include all the recording elements
required by § 229.135(b). The following tables describe alternative
performance criteria that may be used when testing an ERMM's
crashworthiness. A manufacturer may utilize either table during its
testing but may not combine the criteria contained in the two
tables.
Table 1 - Acceptable Performance Criteria -
Option A
Parameter |
Value |
Duration |
Remarks |
Fire, High
Temperature |
750 °C (1400 °F) |
60 minutes |
Heat source: Oven. |
Fire, Low
Temperature |
260 °C (500 °F) |
10 hours |
|
Impact Shock |
55g |
100 ms |
1/2 sine crash pulse. |
Static Crush |
110kN (25,000 lbf) |
5 minutes. |
|
Fluid
Immersion |
#1 Diesel, #2 Diesel, Water,
Salt Water, Lube Oil |
Any single fluid, 48
hours. |
|
|
Fire Fighting Fluid |
10 minutes, following
immersion above |
Immersion followed by 48 hours
in a dry location without further disturbance. |
Hydrostatic
Pressure |
Depth equivalent = 15 m. (50
ft.) |
48 hours at nominal
temperature of 25 °C (77 °F) |
|
Table 2 - Acceptable Performance Criteria -
Option B
Parameter |
Value |
Duration |
Remarks |
Fire, High
Temperature |
1000 °C (1832 °F) |
60 minutes |
Heat source: Open flame. |
Fire, Low
Temperature |
260 °C (500 °F) |
10 hours |
Heat source: Oven. |
Impact Shock -
Option 1 |
23gs |
250 ms |
|
Impact Shock -
Option 2 |
55gs |
100 ms |
1/2 sine crash pulse. |
Static Crush |
111.2kN (25,000 lbf)
44.5kN (10,000 lbf) |
5 minutes.
(single “squeeze”) |
Applied to 25% of surface of largest face. |
Fluid
Immersion |
#1 Diesel, #2 Diesel, Water,
Salt Water, Lube Oil, Fire Fighting Fluid |
48 hours each. |
|
Hydrostatic
Pressure |
46.62 psig (= 30.5 m. or 100
ft.) |
48 hours at nominal
temperature of 25 °C (77 °F) |
|
D. Testing Sequence
In order to reasonably duplicate the conditions an event
recorder may encounter, the ERMM shall meet the various performance
criteria, described in Section C of this appendix, in a set
sequence. (See Figure 1). If all tests are done in the set
sequence (single branch testing), the same ERMM must be utilized
throughout. If a manufacturer opts for split branch testing, each
branch of the test must be conducted using an ERMM of the same
design type as used for the other branch. Both alternatives are
deemed equivalent, and the choice of single branch testing or split
branch testing may be determined by the party representing that the
ERMM meets the standard.
E.
Testing Exception
If a new model ERMM represents an evolution or upgrade from an
older model ERMM that was previously tested and certified as
meeting the performance criteria contained in Section C of this
appendix, the new model ERMM need only be tested for compliance
with those performance criteria contained in Section C of this
appendix that are potentially affected by the upgrade or
modification. FRA will consider a performance criterion not to be
potentially affected if a preliminary engineering analysis or other
pertinent data establishes that the modification or upgrade will
not change the performance of the older model ERMM against the
performance criterion in question. The manufacturer shall retain
and make available to FRA upon request any analysis or data relied
upon to satisfy the requirements of this paragraph to sustain an
exception from testing.
[70 FR 37942, June 30, 2005]