1. National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Program
National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Program
Module 4
Seat Belt Systems
4-1

2. Module 4 Objectives
• Identify federal standards related to seat belts.
• Name types of seat belts and seat belt parts.
• Describe types of latchplates.
• Describe types of retractors.
• Locate latchplates and retractors.
• Identify approved additional locking steps.
• Explain best practices about seat belt systems
to caregivers.
4-2

3. FMVSS 208
• M Y 1996: All
passenger seat belt
systems must lock to
secure car seats.
• 2008: Lap-andshoulder belts are
required in all seating
positions.
4-3

4. Lap Belts & Lap-and-Shoulder Seat Belts
4-4

5. Seat Belt Parts
Buckle
Retractor
Anchor
Webbing
Latchplate
4-5

6. Locking Latchplate
4-6

7. Locking Latchplate (continued)
4-7

8. Switchable Latchplate
4-8

9. Sliding & Sewn-On Latchplates
4-9

10. Dynamic Locking Latchplate
• Lock the lap-andshoulder belt when
loaded by occupant
during a crash
• Not intended to
provide locking of
seat belt for a car
seat
4-10

11. Emergency Locking Retractor
4-11

12. Automatic Locking Retractor
4-12

13. Switchable Retractor
• Starts in unlocked
“comfortable” mode
• Switches to a locked
mode
• Most common system to
encounter in field
• Once switched to
automatic locking mode,
belt will only shorten
4-13

14. When to Use a Locking Clip
• Retractor =
emergency locking
• Latchplate = sliding
• Lap-and-shoulder
belt all one piece of
webbing
4-14

15. Install a Locking Clip
4-15

16. When to Use a Belt-Shortening Clip
• Retractor = emergency
locking
• Latchplate = sewn-on
• No locking feature (there
may or may not be a
separate shoulder belt)
4-16

17. Install a Belt-Shortening Clip
4-17

18. Locking Clip Vs. Belt-Shortening Clip
Locking Clip/Lock-Off
Belt-Shortening Clip
Found on every car seat with a
harness
Purchased from auto dealer
Used with lap-shoulder belt
with emergency locking
retractor and sliding latchplate
Used on lap portion of seat belt
with emergency locking
retractor and sewn-on latchplate
Used only on seat belt with
retractor as backup
Used in place of retractor: no
retractor backup available
NEVER used to replace
belt-shortening clip or to
shorten a seat belt
Can be used in place of locking
clip
4-18

19. Flip the Latchplate or
Twist the Buckle Stalk
4-19

20. Key Questions Related to
Seat Belt Systems
• How many child passengers are you
transporting?
• What are their ages and weights?
• What types of seat belt systems are in the
vehicle?
• Are the seat belt systems – buckle, retractor,
anchors, webbing, and latchplate – in good
working order?
4-20

21. Key Questions Related to
Seat Belt Systems (continued)
• Do the seat belts in the vehicle have a locking
feature (vehicles since 1996)?
• Does the seat belt lock at the latchplate or the
retractor?
• What are the latchplate and retractor types?
4-21

22. Install a Car Seat with a Locking Latchplate
4-22

23. Install a Car Seat with an
Automatic Locking Retractor
4-23