ISO 12097-1:2002

Overview

ISO 12097-1:2002 - "Road vehicles - Airbag components - Part 1: Vocabulary" defines standardized terminology and commonly used abbreviations for the components of airbag modules in road vehicles. Its primary purpose is to provide a consistent vocabulary to be used when referencing test methods, environmental test procedures and associated requirements for airbag components. The document is informative and includes an annex listing abbreviations.

Keywords: ISO 12097-1:2002, airbag vocabulary, airbag components terminology, road vehicles, passive safety standards.

Key topics

This part of ISO 12097 focuses on vocabulary and covers terms related to airbag modules and their testing environment. Representative technical topics included in the standard are:

• Airbag module (assembly including inflator and bag, and cover if applicable)
• Inflator and related elements such as combustion chamber, auto‑ignition material, booster
• Bag: construction, bag fold, bag tethers, and bag test
• Electrical initiation elements: bridge element / bridgewire, connector, clock spring
• Structural and safety features: burst disc, burst test, cover
• Test and environmental terms: ageing test, ballistic test, bonfire test, barrier test
• Sensing and system terms: crash sensor, airbag system, deployment
• Annex A: list of abbreviations used as terms

The standard does not define test procedures themselves but establishes the terminology used in Parts 2 and 3, ensuring unambiguous communication of test requirements and results.

Applications and practical value

ISO 12097-1:2002 is practical for anyone involved in the design, testing, procurement or regulation of airbag systems:

• Helps automotive OEMs and tier‑1 suppliers create consistent specifications, drawings and test reports
• Supports test laboratories and certification bodies by standardizing the language used in test documentation (e.g., ballistic, burst, ageing and bonfire tests)
• Assists regulatory and compliance teams in interpreting requirements and cross-referencing technical documents
• Aids technical writers, trainers and engineers in producing clear manuals, procedures and educational materials

Benefits include improved clarity in contracts and test reports, reduced misinterpretation of component definitions, and smoother collaboration across international teams.

Related standards

• ISO 12097-2 - Testing of airbag modules (companion standard for test methods)
• ISO 12097-3 - Testing of inflator assemblies (companion standard for inflator tests)

Using ISO 12097-1 as the authoritative vocabulary ensures consistency when applying Parts 2 and 3 or when citing airbag component requirements in other automotive safety standards.