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This is my
‘short’ guide to the SVA regulations. It is not intended as a
substitute for the real thing. To save space I have not included
sections that apply to other vehicles.
1.
Anti-theft Device
2.
Defrosting/Demisting
3.
Windscreen Wipers and Washers
4. Seats
and Anchorages
5. Seat
Belts and Anchorages
6.
Interior Fittings
7. Radio
Interference Suppression
8.
Glazing
9.1
Lighting/Signalling (obligatory)
9.2
Lighting/Signalling (optional)
10. Mirrors
11. Tyres
12. Doors
Latches Hinges
13.
Exterior Projections
14.
Protective Steering
15.1 Vehicle
Design and Construction – Chassis Suspension Steering
15.2 Vehicle
Design and Construction – Fuel/Electrical Systems
16.1 Brakes –
Braking Systems
16.2 Brakes –
Service Brake Control/Mechanical Components
16.3 Brakes –
Parking Brake Control/Mechanical Components
16.4 Brakes –
Hydraulic and Vacuum Systems
16.5 Brakes –
Brake Performance
17 Noise
18 Exhaust
Emissions (Spark Ignition)
19 Exhaust
Emissions (Diesel)
20
Speedometer
21 Design
Weight
22
Manufacturers Plate
1.
Anti-theft Device
In addition
to the normal ‘ignition’ switch the vehicle must be permanently
fitted with an anti-theft device that can be activated to prevent
the vehicle being driven or moved under its own power.
2.
Defrosting/Demisting
The vehicle
must be fitted with a system/systems capable of defrosting and
demisting the windscreen to allow the driver an adequate view of the
road in front and forward of the nearside and offside of the
vehicle.
3.
Windscreen Wipers and Washers
Windscreen
wipers must move automatically over an area of the windscreen
sufficient to give the driver an adequate view of the road in front
and forward of the nearside and offside of the vehicle.
Each wiper
must have one or more sweep frequencies. One frequency must be at
least 45 cycles per minute.
Wipers must,
when switched off, return automatically to rest at a position at or
beyond the edge of the swept area.
The windscreen
washer system must have a minimum capacity of 1 litre. It should
provide enough liquid to clear the windscreen in conjunction with
the wipers.
4.
Seats and Anchorages
Seats must be
secured firmly to the chassis or other load bearing part of the
vehicle structure.
Seat
adjustment systems should have a locking system that operates in all
adjustment positions.
5.
Seat Belts and Anchorages
(a) Each seat
should be fitted with the required number of seat belt anchorage
points.
e.g. Driver
3
Passenger 3
(b) Seat belt
anchorage points must be of adequate strength to withstand the load
likely to be imposed by the torso in the event of a frontal impact.
(c) Each seat
requiring a seat belt must be fitted with a belt of the appropriate
type e.g. ‘E’ or ‘e’ marked.
(d) Each seat
belt must be fixed with a fixing of adequate strength and it must be
capable of being separated from the anchorage without causing damage
to the anchorage.
(e) The seat
belt must be capable of restraining the occupant with the lap belt
passing over the pelvic region and the shoulder straps being
positioned so that they do not slip off the shoulder of the
occupant.
(f) The
height of the effective upper anchorage position must be 450mm above
the reference point
(see diagram).
6.
Interior Fittings
The interior
surfaces should not include any fittings or features which have any
dangerous roughness or ‘sharp edges’ that are likely to be contacted
by the occupants.
-
A sharp
edge means having a radius of curvature of less than 2.5mm
-
This does
not apply to the pedals
-
The
instrument panel lower edge must be rounded to a radius of not
less than 19mm (5mm if covered with a non-rigid material) See
this
diagram for an explanation of what is tested below the
instrument panel.
-
The
handbrake control and gear lever must not have a radius of
curvature of less than 3.2mm
-
There is
an ‘exempt’ area in which projections are allowed.
(see diagram)
7. Radio
Interference Suppression
The HT
ignition system should be fitted with radio interference suppression
equipment.
8.
Glazing
The driver
should have a full unobstructed view of the road to the front and
forward of the nearside and offside of the vehicle. The lower edge
of the forward field of view must not be above the ‘windscreen
horizontal plane’
-
Side
Screens, windscreens and windows should be securely attached to
the vehicle.
-
All
windscreens and windows on either side of the drivers seat
(other than side screens) must be made of safety glass to a
recognised standard (‘e’ or ‘E’ marked)
-
Opacity of
windows must allow a visual transmission for light of not less
than 70%
9.1
Lighting/Signalling (obligatory)
(a) The
vehicle must not show a red light to the front or a light other than
red to the rear except for indicators, reversing lamp or
registration plate lamp.
(b) All lamps
must comply with the specifications given in
Annexe
1
NOTE – lateral
position is measured from the extreme outer edge of the vehicle to
the edge of the illuminated area
9.2
Lighting/Signalling (optional)
All optional
lamps must comply with the specifications given in the
Annexe 2.
10.
Mirrors
One interior
rear view mirror and one offside exterior mirror must be fitted.
All mirrors
must be marked with an acceptable ‘E’ or ‘e’ approval mark.
Mirrors are
checked to ensure that they give an adequate field of view.
11.
Tyres
Tyres must
bear an ‘E’ or ‘e’ approval mark and must show the nominal size,
construction type, load capacity and speed capability.
-
Tyres on
the same axle should be the same structure, size and aspect
ratio.
-
Tyres
should be the correct size for the wheels to which they are
fitted.
-
Tyres
should have an adequate speed rating for the maximum design
speed of the vehicle.
-
A tyre
should have an adequate load capacity for the axle to which it
is fitted.
12.
Doors Latches Hinges
Drivers and
passengers doors, tailgates, boot, bonnet etc must be capable of
being securely latched in the closed position.
-
Each
driver/passenger entrance/exit must have a latch mechanism with
both intermediate and fully latched positions.
-
Each door
latch/striker mechanism must be capable of withstanding a load
of approx. 30 Kgf in both intermediate and fully latched
positions.
13.
Exterior Projections
Between the
floor line and a height of 2 metres there must be no features likely
to catch on or increase the risk of serious injury to any person who
could come into contact with the vehicle.
(a) All hard
parts on or protruding by 5mm or more from the external surface
which are contactable with a 100mm diameter sphere must have a
radius of curvature of not less than 2.5mm.
(b)
Protrusions of less than 5mm but of more than 1.5mm must be blunted.
(c)
Grills/gaps having gaps of:-
More than 25mm
bit not more than 40mm must have edges with a radius of curvature of
not less than 1mm on any external surface.
More than
10mm bit not more than 25mm must have edges with a radius of
curvature of not less than 0.5mm on any external surface.
Not more than
10mm must have blunted edges.
(d)
Windscreen, headlamp and rear window wipers, blades and their
supports must have blunted edges.
(e) Wheels,
wheel nuts, hub caps or wheel discs must not have any pointed or
sharp features which project beyond the external plane of the wheel
rim.
(f) Wheels
must not be fitted with any wing nut which projects beyond the
vehicle body plan form.
(g) Sheet
metal edges must be folded back on themselves by 1800
(h) Fixing
holes less than 12mm diameter must have a blunted edge.
(j) Aerial
shafts must be fitted with a fixed capping having a radius of
curvature of not less than 2.5mm.
(k) Hard parts
made of plastic or rubber which is flexible must have a blunted
edge.
(l) Fibre
reinforced plastic panel edges must have a radius of curvature of
not less than 1.5mm.
14.
Protective Steering
The steering
control must provide adequate protection from injury to the driver
during normal driving and ion the event of vehicle frontal impact.
·
The steering
wheel must be type approved or have no edges with a radius of
curvature of less than 2.5mm. It must not catch in the drivers
clothing or jewellery during normal driving movement, e.g. no rim
supports manufactured from plate containing holes.
The steering
wheel and column assembly must offer the driver a degree of
protection by absorbing energy from a driver-wheel impact.
·
This may be by
use of a collapsible steering wheel boss.
In the event
of an accident the steering column assembly must not be displaced
vertically by more than 127mm.
·
This may be
achieved by incorporating a number or universal joints or a
collapsible tube/slider into the column assembly to ensure that, in
the event of a frontal impact, displacement of the upper column is
minimized.
The steering
column upper mounting must be of adequate strength to resist upper
column movement in the event of a frontal impact.
Note: If the
steering rack is mounted in front of the axle centre line then there
should be some evidence to show that there is a crushable section of
chassis or deformable nose cone that will be capable of absorbing
some energy from a frontal impact.
15.1
Vehicle Design and Construction – Chassis Suspension Steering
All aspects of
the vehicle should be checked to ensure that no danger is caused or
likely to be caused to any person in the vehicle or to other road
users.
(a) If driven
at a speed of 10mph or more the steering should have a ‘self
centering’ action.
(b) A
television monitor that can be seen from the driving position must
not be capable of operation whilst the vehicle is moving unless used
as a rear visibility aid, navigation map or to provide vehicle
specific information.
(c) The
vehicle structure must be of adequate strength to withstand the
forces applied under braking cornering etc.
(d) There
should be no fouling of transmission, braking or steering components
when the steering is turned from lock to lock.
(e) Wheels,
stub axles, suspension and steering components should all be capable
of withstanding the forces and vibrations to which they may be
subject.
15.2 Vehicle
Design and Construction – Fuel/Electrical Systems
All fuel
system components must be fit for purpose, securely fixed, located
away from potential heat sources and free from leaks.
Fuel tank
filler caps must not allow fuel to leak.
All electrical
cables and components must be of adequate capacity, securely fixed
and routed to avoid the possibility of chafing.
16.1 Brakes –
Braking Systems
The vehicle
must be fitted with a braking system capable of performing the
following braking functions:-
Service
– Capable of being operated on all wheels by a single means of
operation from the driving position (with both hands on the wheel)
in forward or reverse directions.
Secondary
– Capable of operating on at least two wheels in the event of
failure of the service brake.
Parking
– Capable of being operated easily from the driving position whether
the vehicle is stationary or moving, on all wheels of at least one
axle and using a control which is independent of the service brake.
16.2 Brakes –
Service Brake Control/Mechanical Components
·
The brake
control must be easily operated from the driving position without
obstruction or abnormal hand/foot position. The pedals must have an
anti-slip provision.
·
The brake
actuating linkage to the master cylinder must be of a suitable
design, properly constructed, easily accessible and securely
mounted.
·
When the
control is applied there should be some reserve travel.
·
There should
be no sponginess or ‘creep’
·
All mechanical
components must be secure.
·
Each brake
assembly must incorporate a means of compensating for friction
material wear.
·
Brake friction
surfaces must be capable of dissipating energy sufficiently to
maintain the required braking performance under normal conditions.
16.3 Brakes
– Parking Brake Control/Mechanical Components
-
The lever,
actuating linkage, cables and associated components must be of
suitable design, properly constructed, easily accessible and
securely mounted.
-
All
components must be capable of withstanding the stresses,
vibration, corrosion, and ageing to which they may be subject
(allowing for periodic maintenance).
-
The
parking brake should have an effective pawl mechanism.
-
The lever
should not be easily disengaged by knocking it on the sides or
top.
-
The
linkage must include a mechanism for adjustment due to wear and
compensation between brake assemblies.
16.4 Brakes –
Hydraulic and Vacuum Systems
All hydraulic
and vacuum systems must be suitably designed, properly constructed
and securely mounted away from heat/chafing.
All
components must be capable of withstanding the stresses, vibration,
corrosion, and ageing to which they may be subject (allowing for
periodic maintenance).
Compression
joints that use separate ferrules are not considered suitable for
joints on hydraulic brake lines other than in the case of a hose
designed for a high pressure application that includes an inner
support sleeve in the compression fitting.
There must be
no leaks in any part of the braking system with or without the brake
applied.
Fluid
reservoirs must be:-
-
readily
accessible
-
fitted
with caps
-
fluid
levels must be capable of being checked without removing the cap
A red warning
light bearing a symbol in the recognised form must be fitted that is
capable of illuminating when the reservoir fluid level falls to the
minimum level.
16.5 Brakes –
Brake Performance
Brakes are
tested on rollers. Brakes will fail if a low braking effort is
recorded on any one wheel (indicating a fault) or the
service/parking brake efficiency is under the minimum required.
17 Noise
The exhaust
system should be complete, fitted with a silencer and secured to the
vehicle.
Using a sound
level meter of ‘Type 1’ as defined in BSEN5969 the measured sound
level should not be more than 101db(A)
18 Exhaust
Emissions (Spark Ignition)
Exhaust gasses
are tested for carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC). If your
engine was manufactured before 1 August 1975 (which it should be if
you are using a 1302s beetle as a donor) then the test will be
visual only.
19 Exhaust
Emissions (Diesel)
If you are
fitting a diesel engine to you Spyder then you need more help than I
could ever give you!
20
Speedometer
A speedometer
must be fitted and must be capable of indicating the vehicle speed
in miles per hour at uniform intervals not exceeding 20mph.
The
speedometer must be capable of being read at all times of the day or
night (e.g. by illumination)
The
speedometer must not read less than the true speed but may read in
excess of the true speed if with in the ‘permitted tolerance’.
21 Design
Weight
The declared
maximum gross weight and maximum permitted axle weights must not be
less than those weights calculated using the kerbside weight and the
appropriate passenger/luggage weight.
The maximum
weight of the front axle must not be less than 30% of the maximum
gross weight.
22
Manufacturers Plate
This only
applies to goods vehicles but you will need a VIN number to register
your vehicle.
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