I’ve a 7.5t lorry that I intend doing the 13 weekly checks on myself,is the Decelerometer type of testing good enough for this?
Tia Scoff…
Since the Bath tipper crash, the TCs have been a bit stricter on brake testing.
I think they want to see laden roller tests conducted 4 times a year…one of which can be the actual ministry test.
And, lock-ups aren’t acceptable, even if the print-out says ‘pass’.
The traditional Tapley meter will not be acceptable, but there are several varieties of Decelerometer which can produce a print out and these are acceptable, but not every time. The wording from the DVSA is forced to admit that it may not be practicable for operators to carry out an RBT for every PMI so a decelerometer test is acceptable if a print out is attached to the records. However they will still expect to see RBT prints out for at least two PMIs during the year. These should be be laden. Like the whole of an operator’s PMI regime, it needs to be seen to be working ie if the RBT following a ‘Tapley’ Test reveals a problem or the RBT readings are just low for the type of vehicle then action needs to be taken regarding the method of brake testing as well as rectifying the mechanical problem. A laden 7.5 tonne vehicle should be achieving RBT and Tapley efficiency figures considerably in excess of the minimum pass percentage.
The local ******* dealer only ever carries out unladen Decelerometer brake tests.
Scoff:
I’ve a 7.5t lorry that I intend doing the 13 weekly checks on myself,is the Decelerometer type of testing good enough for this?Tia Scoff…
I wouldn’t bother ,at approx £10 per axle for a roller brake test every 13 weeks it’s not expensive and far better than the taporley metre .
A Tapley Meter is ideal if you want a broken foot when you drop it, they are still worth a few quid on eBay though
Thanks for the replies looks like I’ll be best off calling in for a brake test when passing and doing the rest of the inspection myself.
cav551:
The traditional Tapley meter will not be acceptable, but there are several varieties of Decelerometer which can produce a print out and these are acceptable, but not every time. The wording from the DVSA is forced to admit that it may not be practicable for operators to carry out an RBT for every PMI so a decelerometer test is acceptable if a print out is attached to the records. However they will still expect to see RBT prints out for at least two PMIs during the year. These should be be laden. Like the whole of an operator’s PMI regime, it needs to be seen to be working ie if the RBT following a ‘Tapley’ Test reveals a problem or the RBT readings are just low for the type of vehicle then action needs to be taken regarding the method of brake testing as well as rectifying the mechanical problem. A laden 7.5 tonne vehicle should be achieving RBT and Tapley efficiency figures considerably in excess of the minimum pass percentage.The local ******* dealer only ever carries out unladen Decelerometer brake tests.
We still use a Tapley meter and take a photo of the result, the meter is calibrated. The printout from the electronic meter is no more authoritative, it does not know which vehicle it is in any more than the tapley does. We do a RBT after most work on the brakes though, eg shoe change etc. and before their peak seasonal use. What we are doing was deemed acceptable 2 years ago and have not seen any reason to change that. We only run 3 smallish trucks that do low mileages, mostly in summer, so obviously will not work for everyone.
Just out of interest, it is possible to use a Tapley meter to check trailer brakes but the maths is quite messy to set it up. I believe the some of the, expensive, electronic ones are also able to do that automatically ?
Scoff:
I’ve a 7.5t lorry that I intend doing the 13 weekly checks on myself,is the Decelerometer type of testing good enough for this?Tia Scoff…
Apart from the decelerometer stuff above, when we were inspected one thing they particularly checked was that the decelerometer and torque wrench were in calibration and that we knew the figures for each vehicle. That might have been because the inspector had been on that course recently 
or maybe it’s on their tick list. I assume you have a pit / lift as I don’t think they are too keen on approving you otherwise. And if it’s a lift make sure it has a lola certificate (in date 
)
Be interested to know how you get on.
manski:
]
Just out of interest, it is possible to use a Tapley meter to check trailer brakes but the maths is quite messy to set it up. I believe the some of the, expensive, electronic ones are also able to do that automatically ?
The Tapley was one of the original pendulum type decelerometer and only knows how much it is tilting/ decelerating and only in one direction (forwards and nil side wards), so it can’t differentiate if it’s in the cab of an artic rigid or the basket on a bike’s handle bars.
There are now electronic versions such as BrakeSafe that are marginally better but can’t identify off balance, grabbing etc.
I don’t think it’s possible to do a decelerometer test on a trailer. I tend to brake test the trailers laden where possible every other inspection which gives 4 tests plus the mot. Tractor units have alternate unladen and laden tests on every inspection.
Talking to a specialist transport solicitor a couple of years ago he seemed of the opinion if your system of brake testing works and your pass rate is good then don’t mend what isn’t broken.
Then again it’s probably been about 5 years since my last dvsa inspection. And he wasn’t interested in brake tests, or the actual condition of the vehicles in the yard. Just checked they were inspected when due and everything was signed off.
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Off topic a bit, but the TC will go ballistic if he sees easily-identified faults (bald tyres) etc mentioned on a PMI when the driver said all was OK the previous day.
GasGas:
Off topic a bit, but the TC will go ballistic if he sees easily-identified faults (bald tyres) etc mentioned on a PMI when the driver said all was OK the previous day.
Quite correct, also lights inoperative or wings missing, basically any obvious defect.
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