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LPDs typically consist of horizontal bars fitted between the king pin/s of a vehicle and axles to fill in gaps and prevent accidental access to the underside of the vehicle when it is travelling forwards.
MHF (UK) Ltd sources high quality aluminium rails which we use to fabricate bespoke side guards for trucks to ensure compliance with the Construction and Use Regulations 1986 (Regulations 49 and 51).
This aims to encourage best practice and sets out examples of both good and bad installations, which range from permitted distances between rails and the ground and between the start of rails and wheels and also the correct positioning of bolts and other fixings around the side guards.
The guidance also reinforces the current standards that are required to ensure maximum safety for vulnerable road users by going through common errors and suggesting simple solutions.
Truck side guards must be fitted within strict tolerances to ensure that they are fit for purpose. Equipment on a vehicle may be incorporated provided it is in line with the guards and remains within required measurements. They must be smooth and substantially flat or horizontally corrugated.
You can read the DVSA Side Guard guidance here.
Where a vehicle has been altered to incorporate truck side guards (lateral protection devices) it will be necessary to get the vehicle tested for an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) pass. Under UK rules you must apply for vehicle approval if you have:
The DVSA has written a series of guides to help vehicles pass an IVA first time. This continues their policy of encouraging vehicle builders and owners to follow best practice before their IVA examination.
You can view the ‘IVA: help to get a pass’ guidance for lorries here.
‘IVA: help to get a pass’ guidance for heavy trailers is available here.
The DVSA will carry out checks to ensure that truck side guards (LPDs) are effective and that they fulfil their intended purpose. Stringent standards are set out in section 42 (lateral protection) of the IVA inspection manual.
(1) front edge of the LPD must be within 300mm of the tyre at its closest point
(2) LPD must be within 350mm of the body line
(3) vertical gap between rails must be no more than 300mm
This meets the required standard.
(1) original LPD finishes here
(2) top rail fitted is required due to gap between cab and body rail
(3) silencer protection and air tank can be considered as part of the lateral protection.
Between them, the original LPD, the rail, tank and silencer will deflect unprotected road users they are unlikely to fall under the vehicle.
This meets the required standard.
In this example, the cab clearly ends above the area required to be protected by the side guard.(1)
The side guard must start within the 300mm dimension – as above the steps are considered part of the cab, however, DVSA would expect the lower side guard rail to meet the 300mm dimension. (2)
This does not meet the required standard.
This image shows that the tool box may be considered as part of the side guard (1) however it:
(1) doesn’t meet the height requirements
(2) doesn’t protect road users from being caught under the rear wheels.
This example does not meet the required standard.
Bill Skinner, Managing Director
