15. Maintenance, Servicing and Disposal
Garments with electronically activated airbags are critical safety systems which must be
maintained in good working order to ensure their correct function. If not, they may not
function properly or at all.
Maintenance
Prior to each use, the user should conduct a check of the Tech-Air® Race airbag system
(Alpinestars’ Compatible Suit/Jacket and the airbag vest), looking for any signs of wear
(loose threads, holes, marks on the airbag surface) or damage. If found, the system should
be inspected further by an authorized Alpinestars dealer.
Post Crash Inspection
After a crash the following must be checked:
• Compatible Suit/Jacket: That there are no holes anywhere in the leather suit (checking
carefully the joining seams between leather and stretch areas) and that all three bulbs of
the LED Display are undamaged.
Outer Alpinestars’ Compatible Suit/Jacket Cleaning
Once separated from the airbag Vest, the outer Alpinestars’ Compatible Suit/Jacket may be
cleaned according to the instructions on the garment.
Storage
The Tech-Air® Race airbag system (i.e.: airbag Vest + and outer Alpinestars’ Compatible
Suit/Jacket) is best stored hung from a rail. It may also be stored flat, provided no heavy or
sharp objects are placed on top of it. The Tech-Air® Race airbag system should be stored
in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight and the Master Switch (8) should be turned off.
If storing the airbag Vest only, it is best stored in its original packaging. Likewise, it may
be stored flat in a drawer provided that no heavy or sharp objects are placed on top of it.
Also, it should be stored in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight, and the Master Switch
(8) should also be turned off.
WARNING! Do NOT leave the airbag Vest in direct sunlight inside a closed car
or otherwise exposed to high temperatures. High temperatures will damage
the battery and possibly the other electronics of the unit.
WARNING! Do not use the activation flap on the Alpinestars’ Compatible
Suit/Jacket as a means to stop the garment falling off a clothes hanger. This
will cause the system to activate. To prevent this, it is essential that
the Master Switch (8) be turned off or that only the main zip of the suit is
closed, without closing the activation flaps (18) Failure to do so will cause
the unit to remain powered, which will cause the battery to drain. Confirm
the system is off by checking that there are no indicator lights illuminated
on the LED Display (11).
Transportation
Users should be aware that the airbag inflators are pyrotechnic devices, however the
Tech-Air® system has been classified as ‘Not Dangerous’ with reference to the UN shipping
regulations. This means that the system can be safely transported – including by air
provided that the airbag vest is checked into the aircraft’s hold as checked luggage.
When transporting the vest by air, users are strongly recommended to download and print
a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) in the event they may be questioned
by airport staff. This can be downloaded from the Tech-Air® Data Portal (Section 17) or
obtained from your Alpinestars dealer.
Note: Not all countries worldwide permit the import of pyrotechnic devices. Prior to
travelling, users should check with the appropriate authorities of countries through which
and to which they are travelling to determine if the system will be permitted entry or not.
Tip: Whenever the system is returned for airbag replacement or routine
servicing, the airbag vest will be disassembled and washed.
• Tech-Air® Race airbag system: that there are no holes in the Vest, no frayed seams, no
cracks to the back protector plastics or electronics casing, and no exposed areas of the airbag.
WARNING! If any of the above damage is found then the Compatible Suit/
Jacket and/or the Tech-Air® Race airbag system MUST be returned for
service, otherwise it may not provide any protection in a second crash event.
If in doubt seek advice from your Alpinestars dealer.
IMPORTANT! For the dual charge feature, even if no damage is observed on either the
Tech-Air® Race airbag system or Compatible Suit/Jacket, the performance of the airbag
in the second deployment (reuse of the same airbag) cannot be warranted to be the same
as the first.
Routine Service
A routine service by Alpinestars must be conducted at least every 2 years, in cases where
the airbag vest has never previously been returned for recharge. Where the airbag vest has
been recharged, then the 2 years start from the recharge date. The routine service permits
the wear of the airbag and the unit’s components to be inspected in detail. Service can be
requested directly from an Alpinestars Tech-Air® dealer. The following work is undertaken
as part of the routine service:
• All components are removed from the airbag vest and the airbag vest is washed.
• The diagnostics of the electronic unit are checked (and firmware upgraded, if applicable).
• The airbag is inspected for wear and/or damage.
• The system is reassembled into the airbag vest and function checked as per new
production items.
Tip: Two years is the maximum recommended period between inspections,
however if the airbag vest is used extensively, then a recommended inspection
and service interval of 6 months to 1 year is recommended.
WARNING! If no service or recharge operation has been conducted after
two years of the purchase date or last service/recharge date, there is the
possibility that the system will not always function in accordance with the
activation and non activation conditions listed in section 3.
IMPORTANT! Even if serviced regularly, Alpinestars cannot guarantee that after 10 years
the system will always function in accordance with the activation and non activation
conditions conditions listed in section 3.
WARNING! There are NO user serviceable parts inside the airbag vest. Under
no circumstances should users attempt to open, service, disassemble or
modify the airbag vest. Any and all work performed on the airbag vest must
be done by Alpinestars or an authorized service provider. Severe injury or
damage may result otherwise.
IMPORTANT! The access zipper to the airbag vest is sealed (3). Cutting this seal voids the
warranty on the product.
Disposal – Alpinestars’ Compatible Suit/Jacket
The outer Alpinestars’ Compatible Suit/Jacket should be disposed of in accordance with
local waste regulations. Note that under the European WEEE regulation, the LED Display
cannot be disposed of in normal household waste. This must be removed from the airbag
garment and disposed of at a suitable facility for the recycling of electronic parts.
Disposal – Fired Airbag Vest
A deployed airbag vest contains electronic components. Under the European WEEE
regulation these must be removed and disposed of at a suitable recycling facility. The
remaining airbag vest chassis and used airbag can be disposed of in accordance with local
waste regulations.
Tip: A deployed Vest can be confirmed by turning on the system and checking
that the ‘airbag fired’ fault is indicated on the LED Display, which gives 25
blinks of the red LED (11c).
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RACERACE