Main Feature
the stage where a simple inspect and clean operation will automatically set off a programme of work to meet the requirements of that particular pipe section without the need for human intervention (probably not in my lifetime but not too long from now). Perhaps Professor Stephen Hawking was right about watching out for the robots!
One final point perhaps that, whilst it is not as yet written in stone, may need to be considered comes from comments made by some in the ‘cleaning’ sector but which may well apply to other areas if potential regulatory changes occur. This is the potential for vehicle fit-outs to come more stringently under the N1 enhancement scheme. Having now more or less fully regulated the requirements for trailers and the towing thereof, there is seems potential for the relevant traffic authorities to look at how and to what degree the use of vans and other vehicles as the basis for on-board systems such as jetters/van packs needs to be regulated.
It appears that under Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) rules that the fitting of van packs into new unregistered panel vans under the N1 enhancement scheme requires second stage approval. However, when fitting into pre- registered vehicles VCA has no interest other than to ensure axle weights are adhered to, which will checked by VOSA on the highway. Anyone fitting van packs into a new unregistered van must follow the VCA second stage approval process if the van pack weighs more than 5% of the vans normal running mass, which it almost probably will. But who is to say that some point this un-registered/pre-registered difference will not disappear?
Furthermore particularly for vehicles over 3½ t (including any trailer weight), tachograph and operator licence regulations apply such that when vehicles carry drain cleaning machines, that carry water in a tank to carry out these operations but do not remove any waste products and mean that:
For the Tachograph - the vehicles would be subject to tachograph LET’S GET DIGITAL Get the app for FREE!
regulations under Article 2(1)(a) of Council Regulation EEC 561/2006:. This Regulation shall apply to the carriage by road: (a) of goods where the maximum permissible mass of the vehicle, including any trailer, or semi-trailer, exceeds 3½ tonnes. (Water carried by such a vehicle would be classified as goods and therefore leave the vehicles within scope of the regulations.)
For Operator licensing - the vehicles would not require operator licence under Sch 3(15) of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Regulations 1995 ‘Classes of Vehicles for which a licence is not required’ provided a vehicle fitted with a machine, appliance, apparatus or other contrivance which is a permanent or essentially permanent fixture, only has ‘goods’ carried on the vehicle that are ‘required for use in connection with the machine, appliance, apparatus of contrivance or the running of the machine’.
It may be that manufacturers and potential end- users need to be aware that certain aspects of in-built system may be about to change and they should look carefully and the potential impact that may have to stay ‘ahead of the game’.
As for the rest it is difficult to see how the wrong vehicle can be used in the wrong place in the modern world as most are now designed for a specific purpose or even multi-purpose operation with all the right equipment and technology on- board. To the drivers of these and all other drivers and users of drainage related vehicles perhaps as a final aside must just say remember you are usually in a large or at least relatively large vehicle and there are others of us using the road around you – please drive safe, stay safe, keep those around you safe and drive within the regulation limits set for you and your vehicle – that way we can all get to our work and back to our homes at the end of the day safely. But be aware, the ‘boys in blue’ and the road traffic authorities are increasingly on the look-out for those that flout the rules and that can be a very expensive way of learning those limits for both you the driver and your company!
Article written by ian Clarke
ian@nodigmedia.co.uk
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this main feature, including Jetchem, Mini Cam, UTS, Flowplant & TTUK.
www.draintraderltd.com/magazine 24 drain TRADER | October 2017 |
www.draintraderltd.com
£27.50 12 issues
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