The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986

SCHEDULE 1REGULATIONS REVOKED BY REGULATION 2

(see regulation 3)

SCHEDULE 2COMMUNITY DIRECTIVES AND ECE REGULATIONS

NOTE 1. This item is to be interpreted as including reference to the amendments made by Community Directive 82/890 (item 45).

(see regulation 16)

SCHEDULE 3BRAKING REQUIREMENTS

1.  The braking requirements referred to in regulation 16(4) are set out in the Table and are to be interpreted in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 5 of this Schedule.

2.  For the purposes of requirement 3 in the Table, in the case of a motor car or heavy motor car propelled by steam and not used as a bus, the engine shall be deemed to be an efficient braking system with one means of operation if the engine is capable of being reversed and, in the case of a vehicle first used on or after 1st January 1927, is incapable of being disconnected from any of the driving wheels of the vehicle except by the sustained effort of the driver.

3.  For the purpose of requirements 4 and 6 in the Table, in the case of a wheeled motor car and of a vehicle first used on or after 1st October 1938 which is a locomotive, a motor tractor, a heavy motor car or a track-laying motor car, every moving shaft which is connected to or supports any part of a braking system shall be deemed to be part of the system.

4.  For the purpose of requirements 4 and 9 in the Table, in determining whether brakes apply to at least half the wheels of a vehicle, not more than one front wheel shall be treated as a wheel to which brakes apply unless the vehicle is—

(a)a locomotive or motor tractor with more than 4 wheels;

(b)a heavy motor car or motor car first used before 1st October 1938;

(c)a motor car with an unladen weight not exceeding 1020 kg;

(d)a motor car which is a passenger vehicle but is not a bus;

(e)a works truck;

(f)a heavy motor car or motor car with more than 3 wheels which is equipped in respect of all its wheels with brakes which are operated by one means of operation; or

(g)a track-laying vehicle.

5.  In this Schedule a “multi-pull means of operation” means a device forming part of a braking system which causes the muscular energy of the driver to apply the brakes of that system progressively as a result of successive applications of that device by the driver.

(see regulation 40)

SCHEDULE 4GAS CONTAINERS

PART I

Definitions relating to gas containers

1.   In this Schedule, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the meanings hereby assigned to them respectively, that is to say—

“gas container” means a container fitted to a motor vehicle or a trailer and intended for the storage of gaseous fuel for the purpose of the propulsion of the vehicle or the drawing vehicle as the case may be;

“gas cylinder” means a container fitted to a motor vehicle or a trailer and intended for the storage of compressed gas for the purpose of the propulsion of the vehicle or the drawing vehicle as the case may be;

“compressed gas” means gaseous fuel under a pressure exceeding 1.0325 bar above atmospheric pressure;

“pipe line” means all pipes connecting a gas container or containers—

“pressure pipe line” means any part of a pipe line intended for the conveyance of compressed gas; and

“reducing valve” means an apparatus which automatically reduces the pressure of the gas passing through it.

Gas containers

2.  Every gas container shall—

(a)be securely attached to the vehicle in such manner as not to be liable to displacement or damage due to vibration or other cause; and

(b)be so placed or insulated as not to be adversely affected by the heat from the exhaust system.

Pipe lines

3.—(1) Every pipe line shall be supported in such manner as to be protected from excessive vibration and strain.

(2) No part of a pipe line shall be in such a position that it may be subjected to undue heat from the exhaust system.

(3) Every pressure pipe line shall be made of steel solid drawn.

(4) The maximum unsupported length of a pressure pipe line shall not exceed 920 mm.

Unions

4.—(1) Every union shall be so constructed and fitted that it will—

(a)not be liable to work loose or develop leakage when in use; and

(b)be readily accessible for inspection and adjustment.

(2) No union on a pressure pipe line or on a gas cylinder shall contain a joint other than a metal to metal joint.

Reducing valves

5.  Every reducing valve shall be—

(a)so fitted as to be readily accessible; and

(b)so constructed that there can be no escape of gas when the engine is not running.

Valves and cocks

6.—(1) Every valve or cock intended to be subjected to a pressure exceeding 6.8948 bar shall be of forged steel or of brass or bronze complying with the specification contained in Part II of this Schedule.

(2) A valve or cock shall be fitted to the pipe line to enable the supply of gas from the container or containers to the mixing device to be shut off.

(3) (a) In the case of a pressure pipe line the valve or cock shall be placed between the reducing valve and the container or containers and shall be readily visible and accessible from the outside of the vehicle and a notice indicating its position and method of operation shall be affixed in a conspicuous position on the outside of the vehicle carrying the gas container or containers.

(b)In other cases, if the valve or cock is not so visible and accessible as aforesaid, a notice indicating its position shall be affixed in a conspicuous position on the outside of the vehicle carrying the container or containers.

Pressure gauges

7.  Every pressure gauge connected to a pressure pipe line shall be so constructed as not to be liable to deterioration under the action of the particular gases employed and shall be so constructed and fitted that—

(a)in the event of failure of such pressure gauge no gas can escape into any part of the vehicle;

(b)it is not possible owing to leakage of gas into the casing of the pressure gauge for pressure to increase therein to such extent as to be liable to cause a breakage of the glass thereof; and

(c)in the event of failure of such pressure gauge the supply of gas thereto may be readily cut off.

Charging connections

8.—(1) Every connection for charging a gas container shall be outside the vehicle and in the case of a public service vehicle no such connection shall be within 610 mm of any entrance or exit.

(2) An efficient shut-off valve shall be fitted as near as practicable to the filling point.

Provided that in cases where compressed gas is not used a cock or an efficient non-return valve may be fitted in lieu thereof.

(3) Where compressed gas is used an additional emergency shut-off valve shall be fitted adjacent to the valve referred to in sub-paragraph (2) of this paragraph.

(4) A cap shall be fitted to the gas filling point on the vehicle and where compressed gas is used this cap shall be made of steel with a metal to metal joint.

Trailers

9.—(1) Where a trailer is used for the carriage of a gas cylinder, a reducing valve shall be fitted on the trailer.

(2) No pipe used for conveying gas from a trailer to the engine of a vehicle shall contain compressed gas.

Construction, etc., of system

10.   Every part of a gas container propulsion system shall be—

(a)so placed or protected as not to be exposed to accidental damage and shall be soundly and properly constructed of suitable and well-finished materials capable of withstanding the loads and stresses likely to be met with in operation and shall be maintained in an efficient, safe and clean condition; and

(b)so designed and constructed that leakage of gas is not likely to occur under normal working conditions, whether or not the engine is running.

PART IISPECIFICATION FOR BRASS OR BRONZE VALVES

Manufacture of valves

1.  The stamping or pressing from which each valve is manufactured shall be made from bars produced by (a) extrusion, (b) rolling, (c) forging, (d) extrusion and drawing, or (e) rolling and drawing.

Heat treatment

2.  Each stamping or pressing shall be heat treated so as to produce an equiaxed microstructure in the material.

Freedom from defects

3.  All stampings or pressings and the bars from which they are made shall be free from cracks, laminations, hard spots, segregated materials and variations in composition.

Tensile test

4.  Tensile tests shall be made on samples of stampings or pressings taken at random from any consignment. The result of the tensile test shall conform to the following conditions—

• Yield Stress.—Not less than 231.6 N/mm ².

• Ultimate Tensile Stress.—Not less than 463.3 N/mm ².

• Elongation on 50 mm gauge length.—Not less than 25%.

Note.—When the gauge length is less than 50 mm the required elongation shall be proportionately reduced.

The fractured test piece shall be free from piping and other defects (see paragraph 3 of this Part of this Schedule).

(see regulations 40 and 96)

SCHEDULE 5GAS SYSTEMS

Definitions

1.  In this Schedule—

“check valve” means a device which permits the flow of gas in one direction and prevents the flow of gas in the opposite direction;

“design pressure” means the pressure which a part of a gas system has been designed and constructed safely to withstand;

“double-check valve” means a device which consists of two check valves in series and which permits the flow of gas in one direction and prevents the flow of gas in the opposite direction;

“excess flow valve” means a device which automatically and instantaneously reduces to a minimum the flow of gas through the valve when the flow rate exceeds a set value;

“fixed gas container” means a gas container which is attached to a vehicle permanently and in such a manner that the container can be filled without being moved;

“gas container” means any container, not being a container for the carriage of gas as goods, which is fitted to or carried on a motor vehicle or trailer and is intended for the storage of gas for either—

“high pressure” means a pressure exceeding 1.0325 bar absolute;

“high pressure pipeline” means a pipeline intended to contain gas at high pressure;

“pipeline” means any pipe or passage connecting any two parts of a gas propulsion system of a vehicle or of a gas-fired appliance supply system on a vehicle or any two points on the same part of any such system;

“portable gas container” means a gas container which may be attached to a vehicle but which can readily be removed;

“pressure relief valve” means a device which opens automatically when the pressure in the part of the gas system to which it is fitted exceeds a set value, reaches its maximum flow capacity when the set valve is exceeded by 10% and closes automatically when the pressure falls below a set value ; and

“reducing valve” means a device which automatically reduces the pressure of the gas passing through it, and includes regulator devices.

Gas containers

2.—(1) Every gas container shall—

(a)be capable of withstanding the pressure of the gas which may be stored in the container at the highest temperature which the gas is likely to reach,

(b)if fitted inside the vehicle be so arranged as to prevent so far as is practicable the possibility of gas entering the engine, passenger or living compartments due to leaks or venting from the container or valves, connections and gauges immediately adjacent to it, and the space containing these components shall be so ventilated and drained as to prevent the accumulation of gas,

(c)be securely attached to the vehicle in such a manner as not to be liable to displacement or damage due to vibration or other cause, and

(d)be so placed and so insulated or shielded as not to suffer any adverse effect from the heat of the exhaust system of any engine or any other source of heat.

(2) Every portable gas container shall be either—

(a)hermetically sealed, or

(b)fitted with a valve or cock to enable the flow of gas from the container to be stopped.

(3) Every fixed gas container shall—

(a)be fitted with—

(i)at least one pressure relief valve, and

(ii) at least one manually operated valve which may be extended by an internal dip tube inside the gas container so as to indicate when the container has been filled to the level corresponding to the filling ratio specified in the British Standards Institution Specification for Filling Ratios and Developed Pressure for Liquefiable and Permanent Gases (as defined, respectively, in paragraphs 3.2 and 3.5 of the said Specification) published in May 1976 under the number BS 5355, and

(b)be conspicuously and permanently marked with its design pressure.

(4) If any fixed gas container is required to be fitted in a particular attitude or location, or if any device referred to in sub-paragraph (3) above requires the container to be fitted in such a manner, then it shall be conspicuously and permanently marked to indicate that requirement.

(5) If the operation of any pressure relief valve or other device referred to in sub-paragraph (3) above may cause gas to be released from the gas container, an outlet shall be provided to lead such gas to the outside of the vehicle so as not to suffer any adverse effect from the heat of the exhaust system of any engine or any other source of heat, and that outlet from the pressure relief valve shall not be fitted with any other valve or cock.

Filling systems for fixed gas containers

3.—(1) Every connection for filling a fixed gas container shall be on the outside of the vehicle.

(2) There shall be fitted to every fixed gas container either—

(a)a manually operated shut-off valve and an excess flow valve, or

(b)a manually operated shut-off valve and a single check valve, or

(c)a double-check valve.

and all parts of these valves in contact with gas shall be made entirely of suitable metal except that they may contain non-metal washers and seals provided that such washers and seals are supported and constrained by metal components.

(3) In every case where a pipe is attached to a gas container for the purpose of filling the gas container there shall be fitted to the end of the pipe furthest from the gas container a check valve or a double-check valve.

(4) There shall be fitted over every gas filling point on a vehicle a cap which shall—

(a)prevent any leakage of gas from the gas filling point,

(b)be secured to the vehicle by a chain or some other suitable means,

(c)be made of suitable material, and

(d)be fastened to the gas filling point by either a screw thread or other suitable means.

Pipelines

4.—(1) Every pipeline shall be fixed in such a manner and position that—

(a)it will not be adversely affected by the heat of the exhaust system of any engine or any other source of heat,

(b)it is protected from vibration and strain in excess of that which it can reasonably be expected to withstand, and

(c)in the case of a high pressure pipeline it is so far as is practicable accessible for inspection.

(2) Save as provided in sub-paragraph (4) below, every high pressure pipeline shall be—

(a)a rigid line of steel, copper or copper alloy of high pressure hydraulic grade, suitable for service on road vehicles and designed for a minimum service pressure rating of not less than 75 bar absolute, and

(b)effectively protected against, or shielded from, or treated so as to be resistant to, external corrosion throughout its length unless it is made from material which is corrosion resistant under the conditions which it is likely to encounter in service.

(3) No unsupported length of any high pressure pipeline shall exceed 600 mm.

(4) Flexible hose may be used in a high pressure pipeline if—

(a)it is reinforced either by stainless steel wire braid or by textile braid,

(b)its length does not exceed 500 mm, and

(c)save in the case of a pipeline attached to a gas container for the purpose of filling that container the flexibility which it provides is necessary for the construction or operation of the gas system of which it forms a part.

(5) If a high pressure pipeline or part of such a pipeline is so constructed or located that it may, in the course of its normal use (excluding the supply of fuel from a gas container), contain liquid which is prevented from flowing, a relief valve shall be incorporated in that pipeline.

Unions and joints

5.—(1) Every union and joint on a pipeline or gas container shall be so constructed and fitted that it will—

(a)not be liable to work loose or leak when in use, and

(b)be readily accessible for inspection and maintenance.

(2) Every union on a high pressure pipeline or on a gas container shall be made of suitable metal but such a union may contain non-metal washers and seals provided that such washers and seals are supported and constrained by metal components.

Reducing valves

6.  Every reducing valve shall be made of suitable materials and be so fitted as to be readily accessible for inspection and maintenance.

Pressure relief valves

7.—(1) Every pressure relief valve which is fitted to any part of a gas system (including a gas container) shall—

(a)be made entirely of suitable metal and so constructed and fitted as to ensure that the cooling effect of the gas during discharge shall not prevent its effective operation,

(b)be capable, under the most extreme temperatures likely to be met (including exposure to fire), of a discharge rate which prevents the pressure of the contents of the gas system from exceeding its design pressure,

(c)have a maximum discharge pressure not greater than the design pressure of the gas container,

(d)be so designed and constructed as to prevent unauthorised interference with the relief pressure setting during service, and

(e)have outlets which are—

(i)so sited that so far as is reasonably practicable in the event of an accident the valve and its outlets are protected from damage and the free discharge from such outlets is not impaired, and

(ii) so designed and constructed as to prevent the collection of moisture and other foreign matter which could adversely affect their performance.

(2) The pressure at which a pressure relief valve is designed to start lifting shall be clearly and permanently marked on every such valve.

(3) Every pressure relief valve which is fitted to a gas container shall communicate with the vapour space in the gas container and not with any liquefied gas.

Valves and cocks

8.—(1) A valve or cock shall be fitted to every supply pipeline as near as practicable to every fixed gas container and such valve or cock shall by manual operation enable the supply of gas from the gas container to the gas system to be stopped, and save as provided in sub-paragraph (2) below, shall—

(a)if fitted on the outside of the vehicle, be readily visible and accessible from the outside of the vehicle, or

(b)if fitted inside the vehicle be readily accessible for operation and be so arranged as to prevent so far as is practicable the possibility of gas entering the engine, passenger or living compartments due to leaks, and the space containing the valve or cock shall be so ventilated and drained as to prevent the accumulation of gas in that space.

(2) Where a fixed gas container supplies no gas system other than a gas propulsion system and the gas container is so located that it is not practicable to make the valve or cock referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above readily accessible there shall be fitted an electrically-operated valve which shall either be incorporated in the valve or cock referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above or be fitted immediately downstream from it and shall—

(a)be constructed so as to open when the electric power is applied and to close when the electric power is cut off,

(b)be so fitted as to shut off the supply of gas from the gas container to the gas system when the engine is not running, and

(c)if fitted inside the vehicle be so arranged as to prevent as far as is practicable the possibility of gas entering the engine, passenger or living compartments due to leaks, and the space containing the valve shall be so ventilated and drained as to prevent the accumulation of gas in that space.

(3) A notice clearly indicating the position, purpose and method of operating every valve or cock referred to in sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) above shall be fixed—

(a)in all cases, in a conspicuous position on the outside of the vehicle, and

(b)in every case where the valve or cock is located inside the vehicle in a conspicuous position adjacent to the gas container.

(4) In the case of a high pressure pipeline for the conveyance of gas from the gas container an excess flow valve shall be fitted as near as practicable to the gas container and such valve shall operate in the event of a fracture of the pipeline or other similar failure.

(5) All parts of every valve or cock referred to in this paragraph which are in contact with gas shall be made of suitable metal, save that they may contain non-metal washers and seals provided that such washers and seals are supported and constrained by metal components.

Gauges

9.  Every gauge connected to a gas container or to a pipeline shall be so constructed as to be unlikely to deteriorate under the action of the gas used or to be used and shall be so constructed and fitted that—

(a)no gas can escape into any part of the vehicle as a result of any failure of the gauge, and

(b)in the event of any failure of the gauge the supply of gas to the gauge can be readily stopped.

Provided that the requirement specified in sub-paragraph (b) above shall not apply in respect of a gauge fitted as an integral part of a gas container.

Propulsion systems

10.—(1) Every gas propulsion system shall be so designed and constructed that—

(a)the supply of gas to the engine is automatically stopped by the operation of a valve when the engine is not running at all or is not running on the supply of gas, and

(b)where a reducing valve is relied on to comply with sub-paragraph (a) above, the supply of gas to the engine is automatically stopped by the operation of an additional valve when the engine is switched off.

(2) Where the engine of a vehicle is constructed or adapted to run on one or more fuels as alternatives to gas, the safety and efficiency of the engine and any fuel system shall not be impaired by the presence of any other fuel system.

Special requirements for buses

11.  In the case of a bus there shall be fitted as near as practicable to the gas container a valve which shall stop the flow of gas into the gas supply pipeline in the event of—

(a)the angle of tilt of the vehicle exceeding that referred to in regulation 6 of the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness, Equipment, Use and Certification) Regulations 1981(1), and

(b)the deceleration of the vehicle exceeding 5g.

Gas-fired appliances

12.  Every part of a gas-fired appliance shall be—

(a)so designed and constructed that leakage of gas is unlikely to occur, and

(b)constructed of materials which are compatible both with each other and with the gas used.

13.  Every gas-fired appliance shall be—

(a)so located as to be easily inspected and maintained,

(b)so located and either insulated or shielded that its use shall not cause or be likely to cause danger due to the presence of any flammable material,

(c)so constructed and located as not to impose undue stress on any pipe or fitting, and

(d)so fastened or located as not to work loose or move in relation to the vehicle.

14.  With the exception of catalytic heating appliances, every appliance of the kind described in regulation 96(3)(b) or (c) which is fitted to a motor vehicle shall be fitted with a flue which shall be—

(a)connected to an outlet which is on the outside of the vehicle,

(b)constructed and located so as to prevent any expelled matter from entering the vehicle, and

(c)located so that it will not cause any adverse effect to, or suffer any adverse effect from, the exhaust outlet of any engine or any other source of heat.

General requirements

15.  Every part of a gas propulsion system or a gas-fired appliance system, excluding the appliance itself, shall be—

(a)so far as is practicable so located or protected as not to be exposed to accidental damage,

(b)soundly and properly constructed of materials which are compatible with one another and with the gas used or to be used and which are capable of withstanding the loads and stresses likely to be met in operation, and

(c)so designed and constructed that leakage of gas is unlikely to occur.

(see regulation 41)

SCHEDULE 6CONSTRUCTION OF MINIBUSES

The requirements referred to in regulation 41 are as follows—

Exhaust pipes

1.  The outlet of every exhaust pipe fitted to a minibus shall be either at the rear or on the off side of the vehicle.

Doors—number and position

2.—(1) Every minibus shall be fitted with at least—

(a)one service door on the near side of the vehicle; and

(b)one emergency door either at the rear or on the off side of the vehicle so, however, that any emergency door fitted on the off side of the vehicle shall be in addition to the driver's door and there shall be no requirement for an emergency door on a minibus if it has a service door at the rear in addition to the service door on the near side.

(2) No minibus shall be fitted with any door on its off side other than a driver's door and an emergency door.

Emergency Doors

3.  Every emergency door fitted to a minibus, whether or not required pursuant to these Regulations, shall—

(a)be clearly marked, in letters not less than 25 mm high, on both the inside and the outside, “EMERGENCY DOOR” or “FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY”, and the means of its operation shall be clearly indicated on or near the door;

(b)if hinged, open outwards;

(c)be capable of being operated manually; and

(d)when fully opened, give an aperture in the body of the vehicle not less than 1210 mm high nor less than 530 mm wide.

Power-operated doors

4.—(1) Every power-operated door fitted to a minibus shall—

(a)incorporate transparent panels so as to enable a person immediately inside the door to see any person immediately outside the door;

(b)be capable of being operated by a mechanism controlled by the driver of the vehicle when in the driving seat;

(c)be capable, in the event of an emergency or a failure of the supply of power for the operation of the door, of being opened from both inside and outside the vehicle by controls which—

(i)over-ride all other controls,

(ii)are placed on, or adjacent to, the door, and

(iii)are accompanied by markings which clearly indicate their position and method of operation and state that they may not be used by passengers except in an emergency;

(d)have a soft edge so that a trapped finger is unlikely to be injured; and

(e)be controlled by a mechanism by virtue of which if the door, when closing, meets a resistance exceeding 150 Newtons, either

• —the door will cease to close and begin to open, or

• —the closing force will cease and the door will become capable of being opened manually.

(2) No minibus shall be equipped with a system for the storage or transmission of energy in respect of the opening or closing of any door which, either in normal operation or if the system fails, is capable of adversely affecting the operation of the vehicle's braking system.

Locks, handles and hinges of doors

5.   No minibus shall be fitted with—

(a)a door which can be locked from the outside unless, when so locked, it is capable of being opened from inside the vehicle when stationary;

(b)a handle or other device for opening any door, other than the driver's door, from inside the vehicle unless the handle or other device is designed so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, the accidental opening of the door, and is fitted with a guard or transparent cover or so designed that it must be raised to open the door;

(c)a door which is not capable of being opened, when not locked, from inside and outside the vehicle by a single movement of the handle or other device for opening the door;

(d)a door in respect of which there is not a device capable of holding the door closed so as to prevent any passenger falling through the doorway;

(e)a side door which opens outwards and is hinged at the edge nearest the rear of the vehicle except in the case of a door having more than one rigid panel;

(f)a door, other than a power-operated door, in respect of which there is not either—

(i)a slam lock of the two-stage type; or

(ii)a device by means of which the driver, when occupying the driver's seat, is informed if the door is not securely closed, such device being operated by movement of the handle or other device for opening the door or, in the case of a handle or other device with a spring-return mechanism, by movement of the door as well as of the handle or other device.

Provided that the provisions of sub-paragraphs (a), (c), (d) and (f) of this paragraph shall not apply in respect of a near side rear door forming part of a pair of doors fitted at the rear of a vehicle if that door is capable of being held securely closed by the other door of that pair.

View of doors

6.—(1) Save as provided in sub-paragraph (2), every minibus shall be fitted with mirrors or other means so that the driver, when occupying the driver's seat, can see clearly the area immediately inside and outside every service door of the vehicle.

(2) The provisions of sub-paragraph (1) shall be deemed to be satisfied in respect of a rear service door if a person 1.3 metres tall standing 1 metre behind the vehicle is visible to the driver when occupying the driver's seat.

Access to doors

7.—(1) Save as provided in sub-paragraph (2), there shall be unobstructed access from every passenger seat in a minibus to at least two doors one of which must be on the nearside of the vehicle and one of which must be either at the rear or on the offside of the vehicle.

(2) Access to one only of the doors referred to in sub-paragraph (1) may be obstructed by either or both of—

(a)a seat which when tilted or folded does not obstruct access to that door; and

(b)a lifting platform or ramp which—

(i)does not obstruct the handle or other device on the inside for opening the door with which the platform or ramp is associated, and

(ii)when the door is open, can be pushed or pulled out of the way from the inside so as to leave the doorway clear for use in an emergency.

Grab handles and hand rails

8.  Every minibus shall be fitted as respects every side service door with a grab handle or a hand rail to assist passengers to get on or off the vehicle.

Seats

9.—(1) No seat shall be fitted to any door of a minibus.

(2) Every seat and every wheelchair anchorage fitted to a minibus shall be fixed to the vehicle.

(3) No seat, other than a wheelchair, fitted to a minibus shall be less than 400 mm wide, and in ascertaining the width of a seat no account shall be taken of any arm-rests, whether or not they are folded back or otherwise put out of use.

(4) No minibus shall be fitted with an anchorage for a wheelchair in such a manner that a wheelchair secured to the anchorage would face either side of the vehicle.

(5) No minibus shall be fitted with a seat—

(a)facing either side of the vehicle and immediately forward of a rear door unless the seat is fitted with an arm-rest or similar device to guard against a passenger on that seat falling through the doorway; or

(b)so placed that a passenger on it would, without protection, be liable to be thrown through any doorway which is provided with a power-operated door or down any steps, unless the vehicle is fitted with a screen or guard which affords adequate protection against that occurrence.

Electrical equipment and wiring

10.—(1) Save as provided in sub-paragraph (2) no minibus shall be fitted with any—

(a)electrical circuit which is liable to carry a current exceeding that for which it was designed;

(b)cable for the conduct of electricity unless it is suitably insulated and protected from damage;

(c)electrical circuit, other than a charging circuit, which includes any equipment other than—

(i)a starter motor,

(ii)a glow plug,

(iii)an ignition circuit, and

(iv)a device to stop the vehicle's engine,

unless it includes a fuse or circuit breaker so, however, that one fuse or circuit breaker may serve more than one circuit; or

(d)electrical circuit with a voltage exceeding 100 volts unless there is connected in each pole of the main supply of electricity which is not connected to earth a manually-operated switch which is—

(i)capable of disconnecting the circuit, or, if there is more than one, every circuit, from the main supply,

(ii)not capable of disconnecting any circuit supplying any lamp with which the vehicle is required to be fitted, and

(iii)located inside the vehicle in a position readily accessible to the driver.

(2) The provisions of sub-paragraph (1) do not apply in respect of a high tension ignition circuit or a circuit within a unit of equipment.

Fuel tanks

11.  No minibus shall be fitted with a fuel tank or any apparatus for the supply of fuel which is in the compartments or other spaces provided for the accommodation of the driver or passengers.

Lighting of steps

12.  Every minibus shall be provided with lamps to illuminate every step at a passenger exit or in a gangway.

General construction and maintenance

13.   Every minibus, including all bodywork and fittings, shall be soundly and properly constructed of suitable materials and maintained in good and serviceable condition, and shall be of such design as to be capable of withstanding the loads and stresses likely to be met in the normal operation of the vehicle.

Definitions

14.  In this Schedule—

“driver's door” means a door fitted to a minibus for use by the driver;

“emergency door” means a door fitted to a minibus for use by passengers in an emergency ; and

“service door” means a door fitted to a minibus for use by passengers in normal circumstances .

SCHEDULE 7FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS AND FIRST AID EQUIPMENT FOR MINIBUSES

(see regulation 42)

PART IFIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS

A fire extinguisher which complies in all respects with the specification for portable fire extinguishers issued by the British Standards Institution numbered BS 5423; 1980 as amended by Amendment No. 1 (reference number AMD 4110 published on 31st December 1982) and Amendment No. 2 (reference number AMD 4544 published on 30th April 1984) and which—

(see regulation 43)

PART IIFIRST AID EQUIPMENT

(see regulation 66)

SCHEDULE 8PLATES FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES

PART I

Particulars to be shown on plate for motor vehicles (including motor vehicles forming part of articulated vehicles)

PART II

Particulars to be shown on plate for trailers (including trailers forming part of articulated vehicles)

PART III

1.  The power of an engine, which is to be shown only in the case of a compression ignition engine on the plate in respect of item 3 in Part I of this Schedule, shall be the amount in kilowatts equivalent to the installed power output shown in a type test certificate issued—

(a)by a person authorised by the Secretary of State for the type of engine to which the engine conforms; and

(b)in accordance with either—

(i)the provisions relating to the installed brake power output specified in the British Standard Specification for the Performance of Diesel Engines for Road Vehicles published on 19th May 1971 under the number BS AU 141a: 1971;

(ii) the provisions relating to the net power specified in Community Directive 80/1269 but after allowance has been made for the power absorbed by such equipment, at its minimum power setting, driven by the engine of the vehicle as is fitted for the operation of the vehicle (other than its propulsion) such power being measured at the speed corresponding to the engine speed at which maximum engine power is developed; or

(iii) the provisions of Annex 10 of ECE Regulation 24.02 as further amended with effect from 15th February 1984 relating to the method of measuring internal combustion engine net power, but after allowance has been made for the power absorbed by any disconnectable or progressive cooling fan, at its maximum setting, and by any other such equipment, at its minimum power setting, driven by the engine of the vehicle as is fitted for the operation of the vehicle (other than its propulsion), such power being measured at the speed corresponding to the engine speed at which maximum engine power is developed.

2.—(1) The weights to be shown on the plate in relation to items 6, 7 and 8 in Part I and in relation to items 4, 5 and 6 in Part II shall be the weight limits at or below which the vehicle is considered fit for use, having regard to its design, construction and equipment and the stresses to which it is likely to be subject in use, by the Secretary of State if the vehicle is one to which the Type Approval for Goods Vehicles Regulations apply, and by the manufacturer if the vehicle is one to which those Regulations do not apply.

Provided that, where alterations are made to a vehicle which may render the vehicle fit for use at weights which exceed those referred to above in this paragraph and shown on the plate—

(a) there may be shown on the plate, in place of any of those weights, such new weights as the manufacturer of the vehicle or any person carrying on business as a manufacturer of motor vehicles or trailers (or a person duly authorised on behalf of that manufacturer or any such person) or a person authorised by the Secretary of State considers to represent the weight limits at or below which the vehicle will then be fit for use, having regard to its design, construction and equipment and to those alterations and to the stresses to which it is likely to be subject in use; and

(b) the name of the person who has determined the new weights shall be shown on the plate as having made that determination and, where he is a person authorised by the Secretary of State, his appointment shall be so shown.

(2) In relation to a vehicle manufactured on or after 1st October 1972, in the foregoing paragraph—

(a)the references to equipment shall not be treated as including a reference to the type of tyres with which the vehicle is equipped; and

(b)for the words “weight limits at or below” in both places where they occur there shall be substituted the words “maximum weights at”.

3.  The weights to be shown on the plate in respect of—

(a)item 9 in Part I of this Schedule shall be the weights shown at item 6 in that Part and in respect of item 7 in Part II of this Schedule shall be the weights shown at item 4 in that Part, in each case reduced so far as necessary to indicate the maximum weight applicable to each axle of the vehicle, if the vehicle is not to be used in contravention of regulations 23, 75, 78 or 79, and if the tyres with which the vehicle is equipped are not, as respects strength, to be inadequate to support the weights to be so shown at item 9 and item 7;

(b)item 10 in the said Part I shall be the weight shown at item 7 in that Part and in respect of item 8 in the said Part II shall be the weight shown at item 6 in that Part, in each case reduced so far as necessary to indicate the maximum permissible weight applicable if the vehicle is not to be used in contravention of regulation 75 if the tyres with which the vehicle is equipped are not, as respects strength, to be inadequate to support the weights to be so shown at item 10 and item 8.

4.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) of this paragraph weights on plates first affixed to a vehicle on or after 1st October 1972 shall be shown in kilograms and weights on plates first so affixed before that date shall be shown in tons and decimals thereof.

(2) Where a new weight is first shown on a plate by virtue of the proviso to paragraph 2(1) the weight shall be shown as if it was on a plate first affixed to a vehicle on the date it was first shown.

5.  All letters and figures shown on the plate shall be not less than 6mm in height.

6.  In this Schedule references to the manufacturer of a motor vehicle or trailer are in relation to—

(a)a vehicle constructed with a chassis which has not previously formed part of another vehicle, references to the person by whom that chassis was made;

(b)any other vehicle, references to the person by whom that vehicle was constructed.

(see regulation 69)

SCHEDULE 9PLATES FOR MOTOR CYCLES

1.  The plate required by regulation 69 shall be firmly attached to a part of the motor cycle which is not normally subject to replacement during the life of the motor cycle.

2.  The plate shall be in the form shown in the diagram in this paragraph, shall have dimensions not less than those shown in that diagram and shall show the information provided for in that diagram and detailed in the Notes below.

Notes:

3.  The information on the plate shall be shown in characters not less than 4 mm in height and in the positions on the plate indicated in the diagram above.

4.  No information, other than that provided for in the diagram above, shall be marked within the rectangle which is shown in that diagram.

5.  In this Schedule and, in respect of the definition of “moped”, in regulations 54 and 57—

“maximum engine power” means the maximum net power the motor cycle engine will develop, in kilowatts, when measured in accordance with the test conditions specified in the International Standard number ISO 4106 developed by the technical committee of the International Organisation for Standardisation, and approved by member bodies, including the United Kingdom, and published under the reference ISO 1978 4106–09–01;

“moped” means a motor cycle which—

“power to weight ratio” means the ratio of the maximum engine power to the kerbside weight of the vehicle measured, as regards the maximum engine power, in kilowatts and, as regards the kerbside weight, in 1000 kg;

“standard motor cycle” means a motor cycle which is not a moped.

6.  A motor cycle shall regarded as complying with paragraph (c) of the definition of “moped” in paragraph 5 if it cannot exceed 35 mph when tested under the following conditions—

(a)the surface on which it is tested shall be dry asphalt or concrete;

(b)the rider shall be a person not exceeding 75 kg in weight;

(c)no passenger or load shall be carried;

(d)the test route shall be so located that acceleration to, and deceleration from, maximum speed can take place elsewhere than on the test route itself;

(e)the test route shall not have a gradient exceeding 5%;

(f)the motor cycle shall be ridden in opposite directions along the test route and the speed recorded for the purpose of the test shall (in order to minimise the effect of wind resistance and gradient) be the average of speeds shown for each direction;

(g)when being driven along the test route, the motor cycle shall be driven in such manner and in such gear as to achieve the maximum speed of which it is capable; and

(h)if the motor cycle is fitted with a device which can, without the use of specialist tools or equipment, be readily modified or removed so as to increase its maximum speed, the test shall be carried out with the device in the modified condition or, as the case may be, without the device.

(see regulation 70)

SCHEDULE 10MINISTRY PLATE

(see regulations 75, 77 and 79)

SCHEDULE 11MAXIMUM PERMITTED WEIGHTS, ETC

(see regulation 75)

PART IMaximum permitted laden weights for heavy motor cars and motor cars and trailers in each case not forming part of articulated vehicles

(see regulation 75)

PART IIMaximum permitted laden weights for heavy motor cars and motor cars forming part of articulated vehicles

(see regulation 77)

PART IIIMaximum permitted laden weight of articulated vehicles

(see regulation 77)

PART IVMaximum permitted laden weight of articulated vehicles

(see regulation 79(2))

PART VMaximum permitted weights of two closely-spaced axles

(see regulation 79(3))

PART VIMaximum permitted weights of three closely-spaced axles

(see regulation 79(4))

PART VIIMaximum permitted weight of three adjacent axles

(see regulations 81 and 82)

SCHEDULE 12CONDITIONS TO BE COMPLIED WITH IN RELATION TO THE USE OF VEHICLES CARRYING WIDE OR LONG LOADS OR VEHICLES CARRYING LOADS OR HAVING FIXED APPLIANCES OR APPARATUS WHICH PROJECT

PART I

Advance notice to Police

1.—(a) Before using on a road a vehicle or vehicles to which this paragraph applies, the owner shall give notice of the intended use to the Chief Officer of Police for any area in which he proposes to use the vehicle or vehicles. The notice shall be given so that it is received by the date after which there are at least two working days before the date on which the use of the vehicle or vehicles is to begin, and shall include the following details—

(i)time, date and route of the proposed journey, and

(ii) in a case to which regulation 82(2) applies, the overall length and width of the vehicle by which the load is carried and the width of the lateral projection or projections of its load,

(iii) in a case to which regulation 82(4)(a) applies, the overall length and width of each vehicle by which the load is carried, the length of any forward or rearward projection and, where the load rests on more than one vehicle, the distance between the vehicles,

(iv) in a case to which regulation 82(4)(b) applies, the overall length of the combination of vehicles and the length of any forward or rearward projection of the load, and

(v)in a case to which regulation 82(7) and (8) applies, the overall length of the vehicle and the length of any forward or rearward projection of the load or special appliance or apparatus.

The Chief Officer of Police for any police area may, at his discretion, accept a shorter period of notice or fewer details.

(b)The vehicle or vehicles shall be used only in accordance with the details at (a) subject to any variation in the time, date or route which may be directed by—

(i)any such Chief Officer of Police to the owner of the vehicle or vehicles, or

(ii) a police constable to the driver in the interests of road safety or in order to avoid undue traffic congestion by halting the vehicle or vehicles in a place on or adjacent to the road on which the vehicle or vehicles are travelling.

(c)In this paragraph—

(i)“Chief Officer of Police” has, in relation to England and Wales, the same meaning as in the Police Act 1964, and in relation to Scotland, the same meaning as in the Police (Scotland) Act 1967,

(ii)“working day” means a day which is not a Sunday, a bank holiday, Christmas Day or Good Friday, and

(iii)“bank holiday” means a day which is a bank holiday by or under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, either generally or in the locality in which the road is situated.

Attendants

2.  At least one person in addition to the person or persons employed in driving a motor vehicle to which this paragraph applies shall be employed—

(a)in attending to that vehicle and its load and any other vehicle or vehicles drawn by that vehicle and the load or loads carried on the vehicle or vehicles so drawn, and

(b)to give warning to the driver of the said motor vehicle and to any person of any danger likely to be caused to any such other person by reason of the presence of the said vehicle or vehicles on the road.

Provided that, where three or more vehicles as respects which the conditions in this paragraph are applicable are travelling together in convoy, it shall be a sufficient compliance with this paragraph if only the foremost and rearmost vehicles in the convoy are attended in the manner prescribed in this paragraph.

For the purpose of this paragraph when a motor vehicle is drawing a trailer or trailers—

(i)any person employed in pursuance of section 34 of the 1972 Act in attending that vehicle or any such trailer shall be treated as being an attendant required by this paragraph so long as he is also employed to discharge the duties mentioned in this paragraph; and

(ii)when another motor vehicle is used for the purpose of assisting in their propulsion on the road, the person or persons employed in driving that other motor vehicle shall not be treated as a person or persons employed in attending to the first-mentioned vehicle or any vehicle or vehicles drawn thereby.

Marking of longer projections

3.—(a) Every forward and rearward projection to which this paragraph applies shall be fitted with—

(i)an end marker, except in the case of a rearward projection which is fitted with a rear marking in accordance with the Lighting Regulations, and

(ii) where required by sub-paragraphs (c) and (d) of this paragraph, two or more side markers;

which shall be of the size, shape and colour described in Part II of this Schedule.

(b)the end marker shall be so fitted that—

(i)it is as near as is practicable in a transverse plane,

(ii) it is not more than 0.5 m from the extreme end of the projection,

(iii) the vertical distance between the lowest point of the marker and the road surface is not more than 2.5 m,

(iv) it, and any means by which it is fitted to the projection, impedes the view of the driver as little as possible, and

(v)it is clearly visible within a reasonable distance to a person using the road at the end of the vehicle from which the projection extends;

(c)where the forward projection exceeds 2 m or the rearward projection exceeds 3 m, one side marker shall be fitted on the right hand side and one on the left hand side of the projection so that—

(i)each marker is as near as is practicable in a longitudinal plane,

(ii) no part extends beyond the end of the projection,

(iii) the vertical distance between the lowest part of each marker and the surface of the road is not more than 2.5 m,

(iv) the horizontal distance between each marker and the end marker or, as the case may be, the rear marking carried in accordance with the Lighting Regulations does not exceed 1 m, and

(v)each marker is clearly visible within a reasonable distance to a person using the road on that side of the projection;

(d)where—

(i)a forward projection exceeds 4.5 m, or

(ii) a rearward projection exceeds 5 m

extra side markers shall be fitted on either side of the projection so that the horizontal distance between the extreme projecting point of the vehicle from which the projection extends and the nearest point on any side marker from that point, and between the nearest points of any adjacent side markers on the same side does not exceed—

• 2.5 m in the case of a forward projection, or

• 3.5 m in the case of a rearward projection.

For the purposes of this sub-paragraph the expression “the vehicle” shall not include any special appliance or apparatus or any part thereof which is a forward projection or a rearward projection within the meaning of regulation 81;

(e)the extra side markers required by this sub-paragraph shall also meet the requirements of (i), (iii) and (v) of sub-paragraph (c);

(f)every marker fitted in accordance with this paragraph shall be kept clean and unobscured and during the hours of darkness be illuminated by a lamp which renders it readily visible from a reasonable distance and which is so shielded that its light, except as reflected from the marker, is not visible to other persons using the road.

Marking of shorter projections

4.   A projection to which this paragraph applies shall be rendered clearly visible to other persons using the road within a reasonable distance, in the case of a forward projection, from the front thereof or, in the case of a rearward projection, from the rear thereof and, in either case, from either side thereof.

(see paragraph 3(a) of this Schedule)

PART IIPROJECTION MARKERS