Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/68Show full title

A. COMPRESSED-AIR BRAKING SYSTEMS

1. Capacity of energy storage devices (Energy reservoirs)

1.1. General requirements

1.1.1. Vehicles on which the operation of the braking system depends on the use of compressed air shall be fitted with reservoirs of a capacity meeting the requirements laid down in points 1.2 and 1.3.

1.1.2. However, the reservoirs shall not be required to be of a prescribed capacity if the braking system is such that in the absence of any energy reserve it is possible with the service braking system control device to achieve a braking performance at least equal to that prescribed for the secondary braking system.

1.1.3. When verifying compliance with the requirements laid down in points 1.2 and 1.3 the brakes shall be adjusted as closely as possible.

1.2. Vehicles of category T

1.2.1. The air brake reservoirs of vehicles shall be so designed that after eight full-stroke actuations of the service braking system control device, the pressure remaining in the air brake reservoir shall be not less than the pressure required to obtain the specified secondary braking performance.

1.2.2. During the test, the following requirements shall be satisfied:

1.2.2.1.

The initial pressure in the reservoirs shall be that indicated by the manufacturer. This pressure shall be such as to enable the prescribed performance for the service braking system to be achieved. The initial pressure shall be stated in the information document.

1.2.2.2.

The reservoir or reservoirs shall not be replenished; in addition, the reservoir or reservoirs of auxiliary equipment shall be isolated.

1.2.2.3.

In the case of vehicles authorised to tow a vehicle, the supply line shall be blocked off and a reservoir of 0,5 litre capacity shall be connected to the control line. The pressure in this reservoir shall be exhausted before each actuation of the brakes. After the test referred to in point 1.2.1 the pressure in the control line shall not be less than one half of the pressure obtained at the first brake application.

1.3. Vehicles of categories R and S

1.3.1. Reservoirs fitted to towed vehicles shall be such that after eight full-stroke actuations of the tractor's service braking system, the pressure supplied to the operating parts using it does not fall below a level equivalent to one-half of the figure obtained at the first brake application and without actuating either the automatic or the parking braking system of the towed vehicle.

1.3.2. During the test, the following requirements shall be satisfied:

1.3.2.1.

The pressure in the reservoirs at the beginning of the test shall be 850 kPa.

1.3.2.2.

The supply line shall be blocked off; in addition, the auxiliary equipment reservoirs shall be isolated.

1.3.2.3.

The reservoir shall not be replenished during the test.

1.3.2.4.

At each brake application, the pressure in the control line shall be 750 kPa.

1.3.2.5.

At each brake application, the digital demand value in the electric control line shall be corresponding to a pneumatic pressure of 750 kPa.

2. Capacity of energy sources

2.1. General provisions

Compressors shall satisfy the requirements laid down in the following points:

2.2. Symbols specific to this section

2.2.1.

p₁ the pressure corresponding to 65 % of the pressure p₂ referred to in point 2.2.2.

2.2.2.

p₂ is the value specified by the manufacturer and referred to in point 1.2.2.1.

2.2.3.

t₁ is the time required for the relative pressure to rise from 0 to p₁; t₂ is the time required for the relative pressure to rise from 0 to p₂.

2.3. Conditions of measurement

2.3.1. In all cases the speed of the compressor shall be that obtained when the engine is running at the speed corresponding to its maximum power or at the speed allowed by the governor.

2.3.2. The auxiliary equipment reservoirs shall be isolated during the tests for determining the periods t₁ and t₂.

2.3.3. On vehicles constructed to tow vehicles, the towed vehicle shall be represented by an air reservoir whose maximum relative pressure p (expressed in kPa/100) is that which can be supplied through the feed circuit of the tractor and whose volume V (expressed in litres) is given by the formula p × V = 20 R (R being the permissible maximum mass, expressed in tons, on the axles of the towed vehicle).

2.4. Interpretation of results

2.4.1. The time t₁ recorded for the least favoured energy storage device shall not exceed:

2.4.1.1.

three minutes in the case of vehicles to which the coupling of a towed vehicle is not authorised;

2.4.1.2.

six minutes in the case of vehicles to which the coupling of a towed vehicle is authorised.

2.4.2. The time t₂ for the least efficient reservoir shall not exceed:

2.4.2.1.

six minutes in the case of vehicles to which the coupling of a towed vehicle is not authorised;

2.4.2.2.

nine minutes in the case of vehicles to which the coupling of a towed vehicle is authorised.

2.5. Additional test

2.5.1. When the vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary equipment reservoir or reservoirs with a total capacity exceeding 20 % of the total capacity of the brake reservoirs, an additional test shall be carried out during the course of which there shall be no interference with the functioning of the valves controlling the filling of the auxiliary equipment reservoir(s). A check shall be made during the course of this test that the period t₃ required to bring about a rise in the pressure in the brake reservoirs from 0 to p₂ is less than:

2.5.1.1.

eight minutes in the case of vehicles to which the coupling of a towed vehicle is not authorised

2.5.1.2.

eleven minutes in the case of vehicles to which the coupling of a towed vehicle is authorised.

2.5.2. The test shall be performed in the conditions prescribed in points 2.3.1 and 2.3.3.

2.6. Tractors

2.6.1. Vehicles to which the coupling of a towed vehicle is authorised shall also comply with the above requirements for vehicles not so authorised. In that case, the tests in points 2.4.1, 2.4.2 and 2.5.1 shall be conducted without the reservoir mentioned in item 2.3.3.

3. Pressure test connections

3.1. A pressure test connection shall be fitted at the closest readily accessible position to the least efficient reservoir within the meaning of point 2.4.

3.2. The pressure test connections shall comply with clause 4 of ISO standard 3583-1984.