Side Guards
Introduction
Construction and Use Regulations 1986 refer to Rear and Side Protection for Goods Vehicles under Regulations 49 and 51. Regarding the
maintenance of sideguards, regulation 52 states that a sideguard must:
- be maintained free from any obvious defect which would be likely to affect adversely its effectiveness
Required fitment
Sideguards must be fitted to the following vehicles:
1. in the case of an articulated vehicle with plated train weight of more than 32,520 kgs, to the semi-trailer if its
plated gross weight exceeds 26,000 kgs, it was manufactured before 1 May 1983 and the distance between the foremost axle and the centre of
the kingpin (the rearmost kingpin if there is more than one) exceeds 4.5 metres;
or
2a. a motor vehicle exceeding 3,500 kgs maximum gross weight first used on or after 1 April 1984;
2b.a trailer (including a semi trailer) with unladen weight exceeding 1,020 kgs, manufactured on or after 1 May 1983
In the case of a motor vehicle covered by 2a, or a drawbar trailer covered by 2b, the requirement only applies if the distance between any two axles exceeds 3 metres. In the case of a semi-trailer covered by 2b, the requirement only applies where the distance from the foremost axle to the centre of the kingpin (as defined in 1), exceeds 4.5 metres. Semi-trailers with driven wheels must be fitted with sideguards.
Exempt from Fitment
The following vehicles are exempt from having sideguards fitted:
- a motor vehicle incapable because of its construction of exceeding 15 mph on the level under its own power when fully laden;
- engineering plant;
- a fire engine;
- an agricultural motor vehicle or agricultural trailer/trailed appliance;
- a vehicle so constructed that it can be unloaded by part being tipped sideways or rearwards;
- a vehicle owned by the Secretary of State for Defence and used for naval, military or air force purposes;
- a chassis without bodywork that is being driven or towed:
- for a quality or safety check by its manufacturer, dealer or distributor; or
- by previous arrangement to premises where bodywork is to be fitted or preparatory work done or to premises of a dealer or distributor;
- a vehicle being driven or towed to a place where by previous arrangement a sideguard is to be fitted so that it complies with this regulation;
- a vehicle designed solely for use and used solely in connection with street cleansing, collection or disposal of refuse or collection or disposal of the contents of gullies or cesspools;
- a trailer designed and constructed, and not merely adapted, to carry round timber, beams or girders of exceptional length;
- a motor car or heavy motor car constructed or adapted to form part of an articulated vehicle;
- a vehicle designed and constructed, and not merely adapted, to carry other vehicles loaded onto it from the front or rear;
- a vehicle specially designed, and not merely adapted, for the carriage and mixing of liquid concrete
- a temporarily imported foreign trailer.
- trailer with a load platform which is not more than 750 mm from the ground
Dimensions
The diagram below shows a a trailer with sideguards attached, the dimensions specific to the construction and fitment of the sideguards
represented by the letters on the diagram can be found on the list below.
- 350mm (maximum) from the underside of the vehicle bed to the top of the side guard.
- 300mm (maximum) between the bottom of the top rail to the top of the lower rail.
- 550mm (maximum) from the underside of the lower part of the sideguard to the ground.
- 100mm (maximum) being the width of the side guard construction.
- 250mm (maximum) from the front of the sideguard to the center point of the landing legs.
- 300mm (maximum) from the end point of the side guard to the leading edge of the foremost tyre.
Important Points
The top of the side guard must be a minimum of 1.5 metres from the ground. However, in the case of concrete mixers (Where this dimension
is not achievable), the distance is 1 metre.
It should also be noted, that from the forward edge of the sideguard (nearest point to the landing legs), the distance to the kingpin
should be a maximum distance of 3 metres.
It is also important to note, that the regulations say it is only necessary to satisfy the specification 'so far as is practicable' in the case of:
- a bulk liquid, poweder or gas tanker, where the tank is permanently fitted to the vehicle and is provided with valves and hose or pipe connection for loading and unloading; and
- a vehicle fitted on one or both sides with outriggers to provide the additional stability required during loading, unloading, or in use for operations for which it is designed.