recertification

About this topic...
In my personal opion, this intire recert. program is nothing but a big money grab!!
if one was to buy a product at what ever date and that produce was presented as new what ever year later than it is as good as new !!!
All I see from this recert policy is just a big money grab!!!
Lets make the user pay more...
If I buy a fire suit or a chassis today and not use it until, say 3 years later the units I bought
are still new and there is no need to spend more money to say they are still good to go !!!
This whole recertification program is BS !!!
Just my opinion.
NITRO™.

 

Nitro:
I'm sure it looks that way BUT, it's all about the liability of the manufacturer.They have to cover their butts or they will go out of buisness the first time some sues them.

 

i hate to disagree w/ you but rcerts are nessisary for saftey and other reason, when it comes to saftey there should be no complaints, i myself dont like spending the money either, but back before they certifed our stuff people were using anything they could so its about saftey i'm all for it, my only wish would be for the hole process be cheaper for all!!!

 

explain why a suit I bought new in 96, used for only 3 days, had hanging in my closet ever since, would not be recertified?

The material doesn't go bad just hanging in a closet, but Simpson tried to tell me it will break down.

DuPont's Nomex department will be interested in hearing about this.

 

Simpson is not the only company that is "giving it" to the consumer. Bell/Pyrotect would not even entertain the idea of doing a re-cert on a -20 suit that I bought from them in 99. It is in like-new condition but that doesn't matter. All they did is give me this long song and dance about manufacturing techniques and SFI requirements...blah, blah, blah. So, not only do I not have a suit certified to -20 standards, I don't even get the "benefit" of, at least, having a -15 suit to sell to try and recover some of the money lost in this charade. I agree with most on this subject. This is a pure money grab with each player pointing the finger (middle one at the consumer) of blame at each other.

 

I believe what they look for in a recert is any rips or tears, or worn out straps etc in the item. They dont actually light it on fire.
The safety crew could checked these each event, National or Divisional. JMHO


Here is a statement from the Nomex/ Dupont site:


No amount of laundering, or wear and tear, can remove the flame resistance from apparel made of Nomex® brand fiber. Nomex® has a 30 year track record of successfully protecting wearers in a number of different occupations. From traditionally styled workwear for refinery, chemical plant and electric utility employees, to multi-layer garment systems for military jet pilots, firefighters, and race car drivers and their pit crews, Nomex® takes the heat head on and enables the wearer to focus on the task at hand. In some jobs, what you wear can save your life. With its proven reliability and heritage, you can be secure knowing that Nomex® will perform when it needs to so you can perform when you need to.


Heat and flame management
In the most demanding fields
For the things that matter

 

I think a good way to have the recertification process is to have the tracks use a bar code scanner. The parts that are certified would have a bar code on the tag, and be scanned at each event, so that the certified parts and safety equipment would have a use limit, and not a time limit. A certain limited amount of times used could be counted on each item. That way the racer that only puts on say- 25 runs- a year woudn't have to recertify the same as someone that had 150 runs. Its use that wears parts out, not the car setting in a garage! And if a bar code is to high tech, how about a punch tag on each item?

 

That is a great idea. A flywheel or bell housing sitting in the shop with no use is not the same as one with 200 runs on it. Under present rules there is no way to track the number of runs so back to recertify. How about a carbon fiber bucket
that must be sent back every year? Why can't they be visualy checked by NHRA tech crew? They look at it anyway every race! Deist says it is a pain for them recert. them but it is NHRA's call.

 

I would have to agree with Ian that the manufacturers should be afforded some type of protection from being sued....however, you would haveto be completly niave to not see that the current SFI system is being abused is some form by someone.

I don't have the answers for the problem. I am happy to know that my safetey equipment is up to date, and as safe as possable, but I sure hate paying the man so much money to do it. I get 25 -30 runs each year on our 7.50 car, and my stuff always looks brand new when I send it back.

I had the opprtunity last week to help push a Champ/indy car into our local car show. We looked at the seat belts and they appeared to have a 7 year expiriery period? I wasn't sure. I never saw sfi decals on the wheels, steering quick release, wing struts....etc. Was wondering if the other forms of motorsports have the same recert problems we have?

-Jay

 

If you will check with SFI nothing has changed on the specifications. NHRA or somebody wanted a date tag so they could be guaranteed extra income from you every 5 years so Simpson and others are calling it a recert.

Actually there is nothing to recert. Just add a date tag. IF it indeed does not meet SFI specs for a 20 suit then call your lawyer because they did not make it correctly in the first place!

I happily bought simpson stuff for 30 years. No more.

Have a safe race
Dave K