FAQ > Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Knoxville's Finest Auto Glass Installation Center What are FMVSS Standards? FMVSS stands for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.  They are standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety  Association relating to vehicle safety.  A number of these standards set  minimum requirements for windshield retention in vehicle accidents.  Because  the windshield is the most important safety restraint system in a vehicle, it's  critical that the windshield not come out in an accident.  If that were to occur,  the passenger compartment would be compromised, occupants could be  ejected and the roof could collapse.  Any of these scenarios would result in  serious injury and possibly death.  As a result, FMVSS must be adhered to with  every windshield installation.  The only way to meet these standards is by  strictly following the vehicle manufacturers preferred installation methods.  These include, performing full cut out procedures, utilizing OEM glass where  possible, properly applying the necessary primers and using only the approved  adhesives that provide the proper safe drive away times.  FMVSS were created  and are in place to save your life. Unfortunately, it's sad to say, not all auto  glass companies comply to these standards.  FMVSS 208 is occupant crash protection which specifies equipment requirements for active  and passive restraints, including air bags. There can be no separation of load bearing safety  assemblies in a 30 mph barrier crash. This pertains to the windshield because the passenger  side air bag deploys off the windshield in order to perform its safety function.  FMVSS 212 measures the windshield retention in a barrier crash. Every make and model  vehicle is accelerated to 30 mph and crashed head on into a concrete barrier. The automobile  must retain 75 percent of the windshield along the pinchweld perimeter. Some vehicle  manufacturers require 100% retention in this severe crash test.  FMVSS 216 is the roof crush performance test. It measures the structural strength required to  protect occupants in the event the vehicle rolls over. One and one-half times the unloaded  vehicle weight or 6,000 lbs. (whichever is less) of force is applied at an angle to the roof. The  roof structure can depress no more than five inches to pass.  FMVSS 219 is a windshield intrusion test that measures the windshields ability to keep a 15 lb.  object traveling at 30 mph from entering the vehicle cabin. The glass and adhesive bond  protects occupants from intrusion of external objects. The windshield can displace no more than  1/4" to pass.