Every FIA homologated seat goes through a strict test programme that proves it can take a heavy impact.
There are 3 FIA standards in use today
Most seats sold and used today carry the FIA 8855-1999 standard. Seats built to it are tested to take a 15 to 20G impact. The homologation is valid for 5 years from the date of manufacture.
The newer standard, FIA 8855-2021, was written to improve the protection on offer, and seats carrying it can take an impact of up to 40G. Another important point is that these seats are homologated together with their side mounts, and using any mount other than the dedicated one is forbidden. The standard was meant to replace the old 8855-1999, and its homologation is currently valid for 10 years from the date of manufacture.
FIA 8862-2009 is the most advanced safety standard and the one required in professional championships run by the FIA (the WRC, for example). The seats protect up to a 70G impact, and the side protection is improved as well. They too are homologated together with dedicated mounts, and the validity is again 10 years.
| Standard | Validity | Where it is used |
|---|---|---|
| FIA 8855-1999 | 5 years | Most cars in national championships, trackday |
| FIA 8855-2021 | 10 years | The replacement for 8855-1999 |
| FIA 8862-2009 | 10 years | Professional championships |
The mount is part of the seat
With 8855-2021, the seat only goes on FIA approved mounts, the ones in technical list n°91. With 8862-2009, the mounts have to come from technical list n°40, with the contact area and the minimum radius the list sets out.
With 8855-1999 the regulation is more permissive, asking only that the mounts meet a minimum thickness: 5 mm for aluminium, or 3 mm for steel.
ALWAYS CHECK THE REGULATIONS
Which seat is the right one depends on the competition you are going to enter.
When a seat should be replaced
Clearly, once the validity printed on the label has run out, it is time to replace the seat.
It is also mandatory to replace it after a serious impact, even if the homologation is still valid. Manufacturers cannot guarantee that the same seat protects to the same standard a second time.
Where to find what you need
The homologated seats are in FIA sport seats. The mounts made for your car are in dedicated seat brackets, and the adjustable ones in universal seat mounts.
Homologated harnesses are in the FIA harnesses section, and here is a full guide to choosing them and using them properly .
