RollTek for Commercial Truck

A: According to industry experts, stability systems are estimated to reduce certain types of commercial vehicle rollovers by between 25 and 40 percent, depending on a variety of factors including the route, driving conditions, traffic conditions, driver distractions and vehicle maintenance. When rollovers cannot be prevented through improved driving behavior and the use of stability systems, RollTek can significantly reduce the potential for death or serious injury in a rollover.

A: Less than a quarter of a second.

A: The roll sensor deploys RollTek’s protective components based on the vehicle’s angular position and the angular rate, defined as how quickly the vehicle is moving through the 90-degree roll.

A: No, it only deploys the safety systems when a rollover crash is taking place. The “smart” sensor is programmed to constantly monitor and analyze factors such as the vehicle’s side angle (or tilt) and roll rate. RollTek will ONLY deploy when the rollover is unrecoverable.

A: If the OEM requests this feature and has a frontal occupant protection system installed, RollTek may deploy depending on the severity of the frontal collision.

A: The roll sensor can be located in various locations in the cab. In heavy truck applications it is typically mounted on the floor under the driver seat. Placards may be placed on or near the seat base to notify personnel of the sensor’s presence and to prevent unintentional damage from drilling, riveting or other equipment maintenance/installation activities.

A: A non-toxic gas mixture comprised mostly of inert gases.

A: The roll sensor triggers the seat pull down when it detects an imminent roll. The seat pull down is connected to both the inner-connect point bar (ICP bar) on the seat and to the seat belt. The pull down is powered by an inflator (similar to those used in airbags) that pretensions the seat belt and pulls the suspension seat to its lowest position.

A: Yes. However, the RollTek system relies on seat belts as its core restraining device. Although an unbelted passenger may be afforded some protection by the airbags, it is important that all vehicle occupants are seated and belted while the vehicle is in motion.

A: If the roll sensor determines that something is not right, a fault light will be illuminated to notify the driver that a potential problem exists. When the fault light is on, a factory-trained service technician must check the system. A RollTek diagnostic tool is now available that reads all roll sensor faults and displays them in a graphical format. For more information on this diagnostic tool, call (866) 765-5835.

A: For your own safety, RollTek components are designed for one use. Should your vehicle be involved in a rollover, the RollTek system will need to be replaced. Do not attempt to repair or restore any damaged components yourself.

A: RollTek was developed to far exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) with the guidance of Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards for the design, manufacturing, operation and maintenance of commercial vehicles.

A: For the latest information on RollTek availability, ask your dealer or contact IMMI at (866) 765-5835.

A: The cost of the system can vary by OEM. Please contact your dealer for more information.

A: While RollTek could be retrofitted into older trucks, the cost of testing and retrofitting is typically more expensive than buying a new vehicle already equipped with RollTek.

A: The RollTek system has a 20-year service life. Contact the manufacturer of your truck for more warranty information.

A: A sensor inside the cab continuously monitors the truck’s stability. If it detects an imminent rollover, it initiates up to three events per seating position. First, the system tightens every firefighter’s seat belt to keep them securely in their seats. Second, it pulls down suspension seats to their lowest position to increase survivable space near and above the head. Third, the system inflates side airbags in every outboard position on the truck to cushion head impact and reduce head and neck injuries during the rollover.

A: While similar in concept to passenger car products, RollTek pretensioners have been designed specifically for commercial vehicles.

A: The roll sensor can be located in various locations of the cab, depending on the fire truck manufacturer. The roll sensor itself is about half the size of a VHS tape and is labeled with a visible warning label that warns of the risks of mishandling the sensor while under power and connected to the safety devices.

A: RollTek airbags fill with a non-toxic gas mixture comprised mostly of argon.

A: Airbags can either be mounted in the cab or in the seat. Please contact your truck manufacturer to find out about the locations of the airbags in your apparatus.

A: The entire process from activation to deployment takes less than a quarter of a second (.234).

A: The roll sensor deploys RollTek’s protective components based on the vehicle’s angular position and the angular rate, defined as how quickly the vehicle is moving through the 90-degree roll. When an imminent rollover is detected, up to three events are initiated per seating position.

A: If the vehicle is available with both RollTek side roll protection and 4Front frontal crash protection in partnership with the vehicle manufacturer, both systems will deploy. If the vehicle is equipped with a frontal sensor from another manufacturer, RollTek is not designed to deploy in a frontal collision.

A: No. The RollTek roll sensor only deploys the safety systems when a rollover crash is taking place. The “smart” sensor is programmed to constantly monitor and analyze factors such as the vehicle’s side angle (or tilt) and roll rate. RollTek will ONLY deploy when the rollover is unrecoverable.

A: IMMI offers an educational program for first responders to assist them at the scene of an accident in which one or more vehicles involved have the RollTek side roll protection system or the 4Front frontal collision protection system installed. The Emergency Response Guide (ERG) provides guidance, recommended practices and procedures for dealing with a RollTek or 4Front system that has been breached, burned, deployed or has the potential to deploy during normal rescue and extrication activities.

A: The RollTek roll sensor triggers the seat pull-down when it detects an imminent roll. The seat pull-down is connected to both the inner-connect point bar (ICP bar) on the seat and to the seat belt. The pull-down is powered by an inflator (similar to those used in airbags) that pretensions the seat belt and pulls the suspension seat to its lowest position.

A: Yes. The system will deploy regardless of whether the driver is wearing a seat belt. However, the RollTek system relies on seat belts as its primary restraining device. Although an unbelted passenger may be afforded some protection by the airbags, unrestrained occupants are not safe in a crash, and it is important that all vehicle occupants are seated and belted at all times.

A: During normal operation, the roll sensor constantly monitors the status of each component of the RollTek system. If the sensor determines that something is not right, a fault light will be illuminated to notify the driver that a potential problem exists. When the fault light is illuminated, a factory-trained service technician must check the system. A RollTek diagnostic tool is now available that reads all roll sensor faults and displays them in a graphical format. For more information on this diagnostic tool, call (866) 765-5835.

A: For your own safety, RollTek components are designed for one use. If your vehicle is involved in a rollover, the RollTek system and seat belts must be replaced. Do not attempt to repair or restore any damaged components yourself.

A: If your truck is in a frontal accident, IMMI highly recommends that your sensors be replaced. Seat belts worn at the time of the accident also must be replaced (pretensioners included).

A: RollTek employs pyrotechnic components to activate the side roll airbags. When the roll sensor sends a signal, a small charge is used to activate these components, resulting in the smoke you see.

A: There are currently no Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) that require anything more than a two-point belt for vehicles weighing more than 8,500 pounds. RollTek was developed with the guidance of Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards for the design, manufacturing, operation and maintenance of commercial vehicles.

A: The cost of the system varies by manufacturer. Please contact your truck manufacturer for more information.

A: Today, Pierce, KME, Ferrara, Spartan, Seagrave, E-One, Sutphen, Rosenbauer, and HME offer custom fire apparatus equipped with RollTek.

A: RollTek-equipped apparatus have been available since June of 2003.

A: While RollTek can be retrofitted into older trucks, the cost of testing and retrofitting is typically more expensive than buying a new vehicle already equipped with RollTek. If you would like more information on retrofitting, contact the OEM for possible retrofit in existing trucks.

A: The RollTek system has a 15-year service life. Contact the manufacturer of your apparatus for more warranty information.

A: A roll sensor continuously monitors ambulance stability. When an imminent rollover is detected, the system deploys side airbags in the CPR and attendant positions to cushion the heads and necks of EMS personnel riding in the patient compartment. Optional airbags can also be placed at the head and rear of the squad bench.

A: The roll sensor can be located in various locations in the vehicle, depending on the ambulance manufacturer. The roll sensor itself is about the size of a VHS tape and is labeled with a visible warning label that warns of the risks of mishandling the sensor while under power and connected to the safety devices.

A: RollTek airbags fill with a non-toxic gas mixture comprised mostly of argon.

A: Airbags can be mounted in various places within the patient compartment, in locations that optimize head and neck protection.

A: The entire process from activation to deployment takes less than a quarter of a second (.234).

A: The roll sensor deploys airbags based on the vehicle’s angular position and the angular rate, defined as how quickly the vehicle is moving through the 90-degree roll. When an imminent rollover is detected, RollTek deploys.

A: The side roll protection system is not designed to deploy during a frontal or side impact crash.

A: Yes, the system will deploy regardless of whether occupants are wearing seat belts. Seat belts, engineered as an integral part of the RollTek system, not only act as a primary restraining device, but also serve the function of positioning the occupant to impact the airbag in a rollover.

Although an unbelted passenger may be afforded some protection by the airbags, unrestrained occupants are not safe in any crash, and it is important that all vehicle occupants are seated and belted whenever possible.

A: During normal operation, the roll sensor constantly monitors the status of each component of the RollTek system. If the sensor determines that something is not right, a fault light will be illuminated to notify the driver that a potential problem exists. When the fault light is illuminated, a factory-trained service technician must check the system. A RollTek diagnostic tool is now available that reads all roll sensor faults and displays them in a graphical format. For more information on this diagnostic tool, call (866) 765-5835.

A: For your own safety, RollTek components are designed for one use. If your vehicle is involved in a rollover, the RollTek system and seat belts must be replaced. Do not attempt to repair or restore any damaged components yourself.

A: The cost of the system varies by manufacturer. Please contact your vehicle manufacturer for more information.

A: Horton and Braun offer ambulances equipped with RollTek.

A: RollTek-equipped ambulances have been available since 2009.

A: At this time, RollTek cannot be retrofitted in ambulances.

A: The RollTek system has a 15-year service life. Contact the manufacturer of your vehicle for more warranty information.