Safety Eligibility Letter SS-134C - Safety

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration

1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20590

February 6, 2013

In Reply Refer To:
HSST/SS-134C

Greg Kirchgesner
Xcessories Squared
P.O. Box 135
Auburn, Illinois  62615

Dear Mr. Kirchgesner:

This letter is in response to your request for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to review a roadside safety system for eligibility for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program.

Decision:
The following devices are eligible, with details provided below

• Xcessories Squared Redi-Torque Triangular Slip Base Top (10 3/8”) with galvanized keeper plate for use with PSST posts and round posts

Based on a review of the information and calculations submitted by the manufacturer certifying the device described herein meets the crashworthiness criteria of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350, the device is eligible for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program.  Eligibility for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program does not establish approval or endorsement by the FHWA for any particular purpose or use. 

The FHWA, the Department of Transportation, and the United States Government do not endorse products or services and the issuance of a reimbursement eligibility letter is not an endorsement of any product or service.

Requirements
Roadside safety devices should meet the guidelines contained in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350 or the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH).

Description
FHWA Eligibility Letter SS-134B dated March 30, 2012, addressed the use of Xcessories Squared triangular slip base upper portion with existing, in-place slip base bottoms. Our letter addressed the use of these bases with PSST posts only.  Your present request is to permit the same usage with round posts of 2 7/8 inches OD, with a minimum of 10 ga wall, and up to Schedule 80 wall.

Findings
Therefore, the systems described above and detailed in FHWA Letter SS-134B are eligible for reimbursement and may be installed under the range of conditions tested, and with round posts.

Please note the following standard provisions that apply to FHWA eligibility letters:

• This finding of eligibility is limited to the crashworthiness characteristics of the systems and does not cover their structural features, nor conformity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
• Any changes that may influence the crashworthiness of the system will require a new reimbursement eligibility letter.
• Should the FHWA discover that the qualification testing was flawed, that in-service performance reveals safety problems, or that the system is significantly different from the version that was crash tested, we reserve the right to modify or revoke this letter.
• You will be expected to supply potential users with sufficient information on design and installation requirements to ensure proper performance.
• You will be expected to certify to potential users that the hardware furnished has the same chemistry, mechanical properties, and geometry as that submitted for review, and that it will meet the crashworthiness requirements of the NCHRP Report 350.
• To prevent misunderstanding by others, this letter of eligibility is designated as number SS-134C and shall not be reproduced except in full.  This letter and the test documentation upon which it is based are public information.  All such letters and documentation may be reviewed at our office upon request.

Enclosures