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§393.102 — Minimum performance criteria for cargo securement devices and systems | (a) (1) Breaking strength. Tiedown assemblies (including chains, wire rope, steel strapping, synthetic webbing, and cordage) and other attachment or fastening devices used to secure articles of cargo to, or in, commercial motor vehicles must be designed, installed, and maintained to ensure that the maximum forces acting on the devices or systems do not exceed the manufacturer's breaking strength rating under the following conditions, applied separately: (i) 0.8 g deceleration in the forward direction; |
(ii) 0.5 g acceleration in the rearward direction; and |
(iii) 0.5 g acceleration in a lateral direction. |
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(2) Working Load limit. Tiedown assemblies (including chains, wire rope, steel strapping, synthetic webbing, and cordage) and other attachment or fastening devices used to secure articles of cargo to, or in, commercial motor vehicles must be designed, installed, and maintained to ensure that the forces acting on the devices or systems do not exceed the working load limit for the devices under the following conditions, applied separately: (i) 0.435 g deceleration in the forward direction; |
(ii) 0.5 g acceleration in the rearward direction; and |
(iii) 0.25 g acceleration in a lateral direction. |
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(b) Performance criteria for devices to prevent vertical movement of loads that are not contained within the structure of the vehicle. Securement systems must provide a downward force equivalent to at least 20 percent of the weight of the article of cargo if the article is not fully contained within the structure of the vehicle. If the article is fully contained within the structure of the vehicle, it may be secured in accordance with §393.106(b). |
(c) Equivalent means of securement. The means of securing articles of cargo are considered to meet the performance requirements of this section if the cargo is: (1) Immobilized, such so that it cannot shift or tip to the extent that the vehicle's stability or maneuverability is adversely affected; or |
(2) Transported in a sided vehicle that has walls of adequate strength, such that each article of cargo within the vehicle is in contact with, or sufficiently close to a wall or other articles, so that it cannot shift or tip to the extent that the vehicle's stability or maneuverability is adversely affected; or |
(3) Secured in accordance with the applicable requirements of §§393.104 through 393.136. |
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[71 FR 35832, June 22, 2006, as amended at 78 FR 58484, Sept. 24, 2013] §393.102 — DOT Regulatory Guidance Question 1: Does §393.102(b) prohibit the use of securement devices for which manufacturing standards have not been incorporated by reference? Guidance: §393.102(b) requires that chain, wire rope, synthetic webbing, cordage, and steel strapping meet minimum manufacturing standards. It does not, however, prohibit the use of other types of securement devices or establish manufacturing standards for those devices. Therefore, if the securement device(s) has an aggregate working load limit of at least ½ the weight of the article, and the load is secured to prevent it from shifting or falling from the vehicle, §§393.100 and 393.102(b) would be satisfied. If the cargo is not firmly braced against a front-end structure that conforms to the requirements of §393.106, the securement system would have to provide protection against longitudinal movement [§393.104(a)]. If the load may shift sideways in transit then §393.104(b) would also be applicable.
Question 2: Does §393.102(b) require that securement devices be marked or labeled with their working load limit or any other information? Guidance: No. Although §393.102(b) requires chain, wire rope, synthetic webbing, cordage, and steel strapping tiedowns to meet applicable manufacturing standards, it explicitly excludes marking identification provisions of those manufacturing standards. Since §393.102(b) does not establish manufacturing standards or marking requirements for other types of securement devices, such devices are not required to be marked with their working load limit.
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