Airbag (Supplementary Restraint System); Safety Precautions And Warnings; Handling Undeployed Airbags - Aston Martin DB7 Workshop Manual

Electrics
Airbag System
Airbag (Supplementary Restraint System)
Repair Procedures
Description
Two airbaes are fitted to the 97 model year DB7.
The drivers airbag is located in the centre of the
steering wheel (Fig 1-1), the passenger airbag is
located behind the fascia panel (Fig 1-2).
Figure!. Airbag Locations
The following procedures and safety precautions
must be adhered to while handling, installing and
testing airbag modules. Failure to observe these
precautions could cause the airbag to inadvertently
deploy with the risk of personal injury.
The procedures and precautionary guidelines
conform to the 'Handling and storage - The
Explosives Act 1875 & 1923' and to the 'Health and
Safety at Work Act - 1974' or local guidelines as
appropriate.
Safety Precautions and Warnings
Handling Undeployed Airbags
The electrically actuated airbag module contains
sodium azide and sodium nitrate which are
poisonous and extremely flammable substances.
Their contact with acid, water or heavy metals may
produce harmful, irritant gases or combustible
compounds.
The airbag module is non-serviceable and must not
be dismantled, punctured, incinerated or welded.
WARNING: Do not attempt any repairs or
electrical measurements on the airbag module.
Never measure the resistance of the airbag module,
as this may cause the airbag to deploy. Suspect
modules must be returned to Aston Martin Lagonda
Limited, or their importer for replacement.
Tampering or mishandling can result in personal
injury.
Keep away from heat, sparks and open flames. Do
not store at temperatures exceeding 93°C (200°F).
Keep away from electrical equipment as electrical
contact may cause ignition.
Do not drop or impact the airbag module. Always
position the module 'cover-up'.
Ensure that the module connector is protected to
prevent damage. Never carry the airbag module by
the wires or connector.
Store modules in a secure lockable cabinet.
Never position material over the undeployed
module which could be projected and cause injury
in the event of inadvertent deployment.
Do not wrap arms around the module when carrying
and always carry the module with the cover and
vents facing away from the body to avoid personal
injury in the event of inadvertent deployment.
The chemical propellant mixture deploying the
airbag is a solid and therefore inhalation exposure
is unlikely even if the module is ruptured without
deployment.
As far as practical, avoid skin contact with, or
ingestion of, the materials present after combustion.
Exposure to high concentrations of propellant
mixture may cause headache, nausea, blurred
vision, faintness, cyanosis, lowering of blood
pressure, tachycardia and shortness of breath.
WARNING: Sodium azide has been listed as an
'Extraordinary Hazardous Substance or
Carcinogen' by the state of Massachusetts, USA.
Sodium azide has been listed on the 'Right to Know
Hazardous Substance List' by the state of New
Jersey and is also regarded as a 'Special Health
Hazard Substance' by the state. The propellant
mixture is sensitive to premature ignition by
electrical sources if not properly protected and
isolated.
September 1996
6-69