Q. Will lap-shoulder belts decrease
the capacity of school buses, making it necessary for
districts to purchase additional buses?
The SafeGuard FlexSeat, which transports three elementary
school children or two high school kids on a standard
39-inch seat, essentially eliminates the capacity concerns
related to the previous generation of seats equipped
with lap-shoulder belts. The seatback thickness of the
FlexSeat is virtually the same as current FMVSS 222
school bus seats, so the number of rows available for
seating is typically not reduced.
Q. How long has the SafeGuard FlexSeat been
on the market?
The SafeGuard FlexSeat was introduced at the National
Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) conference
held October 28-November 1, 2007 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Q: Is FlexSeat operation intuitive to children
and young adults?
As with any other school bus procedures, children should
be educated in the proper use of the SafeGuard FlexSeat.
SafeGuard engineering conducted a usage study with
the FlexSeat, evaluating how children ages 6 to 16 interacted
with the product. Approximately 100 children were involved
in the study. Even without instruction, none of the
children used the product improperly. With very minimal
training, children were all able to use the sliding
dual buckle and the shoulder height adjuster to maximize
comfort.
In addition, SafeGuard conducted a focus group with
public and private transportation officials and managers
of large fleets, in collaboration with Thomas Built
Buses. Feedback on the FlexSeat was overwhelmingly positive.
As the issue of intuitiveness was considered by this
group, participants said that the system is much like
belt systems installed in cars and trucks. As was found
in the usage study with children, the opinion of the
members of this group is that training is required,
but should be minimal.
Q: How much does it cost to outfit a bus with
the SafeGuard FlexSeat?
SafeGuard does not control the pricing that OEM customers
charge for the FlexSeat. Typically, a bus outfitted with
lap-shoulder belts costs from $8,000 to $12,000 more than
a bus with traditional seats.
The FlexSeat return on investment is substantial for
school districts considering the cost of this product
verses traditional belted seats. For every 1,000 students
transported, FlexSeat saves four buses. When considering
both capital costs and operating costs, this amounts
to a savings of approximately $484,000 in the first
year and a total of $1.6 million over the ten-year life
span of these buses. This calculation takes into consideration
not only the original investment in the bus, but also
the costs associated with additional drivers, fuel,
maintenance, insurance and storage.
Q. What is SmartFrame?
SmartFrame® technology, introduced by SafeGuard in
2002, is standard on the FlexSeat.
With SmartFrame, in a frontal crash, students are belted
to the independent inner frame of the seat, which pivots
forward several degrees to separate from the outer seatback.
The padded outer frame remains in position to absorb the
energy of any unbelted children from the seat behind.
This technology enables FlexSeat to observe the full spirit
of FMVSS 222 compartmentalization, while providing the
additional protection of lap-shoulder belts. Even an unrestrained
child receives the same full compartmentalization protection,
regardless of whether the child in front is restrained.
Q. Does the SafeGuard FlexSeat meet Federal
standards?
The SafeGuard FlexSeat meets or exceeds all government
safety standards for school bus seats.
Q. Will an unbelted child have any protection
in the SafeGuard FlexSeat?
Yes. The SafeGuard FlexSeat, standard with SmartFrame®
Technology, offers a unique approach to compartmentalization
that enables the seat to protect both belted and unbelted
occupants in a frontal collision. Of course, belted
students will be better protected in any type of accident.
Q. What are the weight and size recommendations
of FlexSeat?
The shoulder belt height adjuster on the FlexSeat adjusts
the lap-shoulder belt to properly fit occupants of a
wide range of sizes, from a four year-old, 40-pound
child, through a large adult. When using the three-seat
configuration, the maximum weight for the center child
is 70 lbs
Q. Has the SafeGuard FlexSeat been crash tested?
In addition to the static tests required by FMVSS 222
and 210, the SafeGuard FlexSeat has been dynamically
sled tested at the Center for Advanced Product Evaluation
(CAPE) with pulses that simulate 30 mph school bus barrier
crashes. All buses that include the SafeGuard FlexSeat
will meet FMVSS 209 restraint performance requirements,
FMVSS 210 anchorage requirements, FMVSS 213 child passenger
safety seat requirements and FMVSS 222 requirements
for bus seat design and performance.
Q. Can we service the SafeGuard FlexSeat in the
field?
The SafeGuard FlexSeat has been designed to be serviceable
in the field. For more information, contact customer service
at 877-447-2305.
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