“for years we were warned not to mount computer equipment in
‘the airbag zone.’ The Airbag switch lets us achieve effective
and safe placement of the equipment AND keeps our officers happy.”
Sgt. Michael Spirito
Tredyffrin Township in Berwyn, Pa.
Ford
and GM both specify in their Owner's Manuals that nothing shall be
mounted in the airbag deployment zone for safety reasons. An airbag
switch means you can turn off the airbag and safely mount equipment in the passenger's airbag zone.
The hazard of a
detonating airbag has been known to most police departments for
years. In the past, some departments decided to use console
systems rather than center post-mounted computer systems because
of the airbag danger and to reduce the cost of replacing airbags,
windshields, and equipment ruined when the passenger airbag
detonates. Today, Mobile Data Terminals make airbag switches
essential for safety.
About
" Safe Airbags or Advanced Airbags"
Some vehicles,
like the newer Crown Vics, have weight sensors to turn the airbag
on when more than a certain weight (usually either 25 lbs) is in
the passenger seat. These systems are called Safe or Advanced
airbags. In fact, they are really a first effort at an automatic
airbag switch. The major car manufacturers, including Ford,
Chrysler and GM still
recommend not mounting any equipment in the airbag deployment zone
because of the danger of a detonating airbag.
In police
cruisers, it is impossible to know how much weight will be in the
passenger seat since briefcases or other objects may be
placed there. This means it is impossible to predict whether the
airbag will be on or off. The only way to be certain the airbag will not
detonate is to use a manually operated airbag on/off switch.
For more information,
click
here
Contact us for
a quote
Sensible Solutions LLC
7301 Brookside Drive
Frederick, MD 21702
Phone: 301-473-7908
Toll Free: 877-773-7908
Fax: 301-473-4829
or, to contact us by email
click here
