HANS Recertification

[TimH]

This is such a strange thread. I race all over North America and Europe. I have never once heard any suggestion that HANS or tethers require "recertification". Not by any sanctioning body, not by the FIA. Except for this thread. If you actually know something specific, please share with us us the sanctioning body, their governing jurisdiction, and please cite the corresponding rule. Explicitly.

Look at your HANS tethers. They have an SFI date, and SFI certifications on stressed fabric parts have for a long time expired after a certain number of years.

As for the SFI certification on the device itself, the only organization I've seen make an issue was SVRA, and even they can look the other way if the FIA sticker is intact.

I speak not from research on regulations but from experience with tech inspectors. If you want to load yourself up with paperwork to better argue with them, I'm not inclined to do that for you. Wiser just to check with the sanctioning body before you show up. Wisest to get it in writing. Or just get the #$^%%$ recertification which admittedly makes little sense.

[Dan Pyanowski]

SVRA is the only organization where this has been an item at Tech, in my experience.

From SVRA General Rules and Regulations, revised 1/2022:
D. Head and Neck Restraint
All drivers except for pre-war must use a head and neck restraint system. The head and neck restraint system must be certified by either SFI certification 38.1 or FIA certification 8858-2002
.
Head and Neck Restraint Systems shall be recertified every five years after the date of original certification.

Product inspection, maintenance, and/or replacement procedure is per individual manufacturer. Inspection must be done by an authorized recertification center.

When a unit is determined by the manufacturer to be acceptable for continued service and in compliance with the current version of the specification, the original manufacturer shall place on the product a new SFI 38.1 conformance label marked with the inspection date along with new correctly dated tethers, the FIA devices will need a new dated tether every 5 years.

Devices that do not actually carry an SFI or FIA certification sticker are not approved.

[DD16]

Corinthian Vintage Auto Racing - CVAR Races in TX and OK

Driver Apparel/Equipment:

1. Helmets: All drivers must wear an approved helmet with a Snell Safety Foundation designation of SA2015 or newer. No “M” helmets allowed. An approved neck restraint system, dated within 5 years, is required in all classes. No neck collar bolsters are allowed.

[EricP]

This is such a strange thread. I race all over North America and Europe. I have never once heard any suggestion that HANS or tethers require "recertification". Not by any sanctioning body, not by the FIA. Except for this thread. If you actually know something specific, please share with us us the sanctioning body, their governing jurisdiction, and please cite the corresponding rule. Explicitly.

this makes it sound like SFI requires:

https://www.simpsonraceproducts.com/...is%20complete.

[EricP]

Yep… as per SFI:

https://www.sfifoundation.com/wp-con...8.1_041919.pdf

[Steve Davis]

I think we need to close this thread - else the GCR will be updated to REQUIRE everyone to recert their device. Personally, I don't feel that is necessary for the device to provide the protection that it provides... at least as far as an 'official HANS' is concerned. The device is SIMPLE, requires no maintenance, WORKS when it needs to (as long as the tether is maintained) and it's quite easy to determine when it needs to be updated.
This is a sleeping dog as far as SCCA is concerned.. let's let him sleep.
Seems some other 'clubs' require recert - I don't race with them. Not my problem.
Steve, FV80

[EricP]

I think we need to close this thread - else the GCR will be updated to REQUIRE everyone to recert their device. Personally, I don't feel that is necessary for the device to provide the protection that it provides... at least as far as an 'official HANS' is concerned. The device is SIMPLE, requires no maintenance, WORKS when it needs to (as long as the tether is maintained) and it's quite easy to determine when it needs to be updated.
This is a sleeping dog as far as SCCA is concerned.. let's let him sleep.
Seems some other 'clubs' require recert - I don't race with them. Not my problem.
Steve, FV80

Very much agreed.

[Terry Hanushek]

Just a guess but I suspect that SFI may have a recertification requirement. They tend to take the approach which results in the purchase of more new equipment, e.g., seat belts. It's up to individual sanctioning bodies to utilize (or ignore) their standards.