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Letter to the Editor

VeriFacts Applauds New Sectioning Guidelines Released by I-CAR

This development is significant. The research for I-CAR's previous sectioning guidelines was conducted over 20 years ago. Recent advancements in vehicle structure, driven by manufacturers looking for lighter, more crash-resistant designs, dictated the change. The widespread use of advanced high strength steels (AHHS) unsuited for sectioning due to their vulnerability to heat is one result. Structural design complexities increasingly specific to individual manufacturers is another.

“Defining safe places to section vehicles has become incredibly nonstandard. Even the repair terminology can change from manufacturer to manufacturer,” stated Jason Bartanen, technical director for I-CAR. “The location of the part and its design intent are more important than ever, and the repairer must understand this if he or she is to carry out a safe, quality repair. “

OEMs are supplying more material on structural repairs than ever before, and that is good news. But the challenge to repairers is seeking out this massive amount of information and mastering it. I-CAR provides an invaluable service by including a sectioning matrix on its Web site (www.i-car.com/partialreplacement) with direct links to available OEM websites where the procedures can be found.

There are times, however, when the manufacturer provides no recommendations. In these cases, according to I-CAR, determining how the vehicle should be repaired becomes a business decision between the insurer, repairer, and customer.

“It's imperative for today's technician and anyone else sharing responsibility for the repair, to know what he or she is specifically working on,” added Bartanen. “If there is any doubt, erring on the side of caution is the only prudent strategy to take.”

The publication of new structural sectioning guidelines is welcomed by VeriFacts Automotive, whose mission is to coach and train proper collision repair techniques on the front lines of the industry.

“Repairers should understand this is not ten to twelve years ago and that a one-size-fits-all approach to sectioning just doesn't work anymore,” said VeriFacts CEO and co-founder Farzam Afshar. “We salute I-CAR for its fine work in assembling this data, which will lead to safe, quality repairs, and are ourselves committed to spread the word regarding these critical new procedures.”

VeriFacts urges everyone to obtain a copy of I-CAR's new sectioning guidelines as well as a copy of its original guidelines for comparison. The I-CAR course “Steel Unibody Technology (SP07)” should be considered a must for anyone who plans to do sectioning of new vehicles.

Formed by the collision industry in 1979, I-CAR is an international, not-for-profit training organization. I-CAR develops and delivers technical training programs to professionals in all areas of the collision industry. In addition, I-CAR provides a communication forum for anyone interested in proper collision repair. I-CAR's primary funding is derived from student tuition and services. This assures that I-CAR can remain unbiased in developing programs and services on an industry-wide basis.

Founded in 2002, VeriFacts Automotive LLC addresses the implementation of technical information within the collision repair industry. Committed to ensuring that collision repairers have the correct information and skills necessary to repair today's diverse and complex vehicles, VeriFacts provides onsite, hands-on coaching and quality assessment solutions for collision repair and claims professionals.

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