Minibus
and Coach Seat Belts -
|
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to the STN Seatbelt Website from the home page of the Department
of the Environment, Transport and the Regions - Vehicle Standards
and Engineering. Copies of the documents can be obtained, subject
to the appropriate fee, from HMSO, Publications Centre, PO Box 276,
London, SW8 5DT. Or mail to: Department of the Environment, Transport
and the Regions VSE6, 2/06 Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR, Tel:- 0171 873 0011 Fax:- 0171-271 4624 |
With older vehicles, especially those manufactured before 1988, it is unlikely that they would have been originally designed with any seat belts. Whilst this does not necessarily mean that seat belts cannot be retro-fitted to these vehicles, it is likely to be more difficult than fitting seat belts to a newer vehicle.
In some cases it may not be technically possible or economically viable to convert a vehicle. In such cases a newer vehicle that either has seat belts already fitted or can be more easily converted may be the only viable option. However, as long as it is technically feasible, age is no barrier to having a vehicle converted.
The level of expertise needed to carry out a conversion will largely depend on the nature of the conversion. Where this involves fitting seat belts to existing anchorages, this will be less than that needed to design and fabricate new seat belt anchorages. However, in either case it is essential to ensure that any work is carried out to a satisfactory standard. The seat belt installer should be prepared to confirm in writing that the restraint system is designed and installed to meet the appropriate European standards, i.e. approved belts are fitted, the belts are installed correctly and the anchorages are of an appropriate strength.
No matter how simple or complicated the conversion, the objective is the same; to provide seat belts that will, in the event of an accident, reduce the severity of an occupant's injuries. To achieve this objective, three main areas need to be considered in detail:
Whilst these areas are discussed in greater detail later in the document, if a seat belt approved to the British or European Standards is installed and the anchorages meet the European standard, the installer can be confident that the restraint system will provide a high level of occupant protection in the event of an accident.
A coach is defined as a type of large bus (i.e. a vehicle constructed or adapted to carry more than 16 seated passengers in addition to the driver) which has a gross weight of more than 7.5 tonnes and a maximum speed exceeding 60mph.
A large bus which does not meet the weight or speed criteria of a coach is referred to as a bus in this document. This legislation does not apply to this type of vehicle.
An M2 category vehicle is used for the carriage of passengers and has more than 8 seats in addition to the driver's seat and a maximum weight not exceeding 5 tonnes.
An M3 category vehicle is used for the carriage of passengers and has more than 8 seats in addition to the driver's seat and a maximum weight exceeding 5 tonnes.
Technical standards for child restraints are contained in:
Seat belt wearing requirements are contained in:
Details of fuel duty grants are contained in:
Copies of these documents can be obtained, subject to the appropriate fee, from HMSO, Publications Centre, PO Box 276, London, SW8 5DT. The telephone number for further information on these publications is 0171 873 0011.
Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
VSE6
2/06 Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DR
Fax: 0171-271 4624
E-mail:- Chris Howsham,
rvs1.detr@gtnet.gov.uk
Last updated December 16, 1996
