Truck_Side_Guard_Ordinance.pdf

PDF 4 MB Posted

Attached to
Boston Fire Dept. Technology Upgrade
Solicitation number
EV00017896
Issued by
Massachusetts

About this file

This is a Truck Side Guard Ordinance document issued by the City of Boston that establishes mandatory safety requirements for vendors contracting with City agencies. The ordinance applies to motor vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds and semi-trailers exceeding 26,000 pounds, requiring vendors to install side guards, convex mirrors, cross-over mirrors, and blind-spot awareness safety decals. The ordinance became effective for all contracts starting on or after May 5, 2015, and does not apply to agricultural trailers, fire engines, or trucks used exclusively for snow removal. Vendors must obtain inspection and certification prior to commencing work on contracts, and subcontractors with trucks regularly working on jobs are required to be inspected and permitted. The City will conduct off-site inspections for larger fleets depending on inspector availability and distance.

Side guard installation costs average $847 nationally according to U.S. Department of Transportation studies, though the City of Boston's pilot program outfitted each truck for approximately $1,200. Side guards must be rigid, securely mounted, and positioned with the lowest edge at a maximum of 21.5 inches above ground and upper edge at a maximum of 14 inches below the vehicle structure. Convex mirrors and cross-over mirrors must allow visibility of objects 3 feet above ground along the vehicle length, while safety decals must be bright yellow and positioned with a minimum of three decals in blind spots. Tool boxes may serve as guards if they meet all specified measurements. Three approved vendors are identified: Airflow Deflector, J.C. Madigan Inc., and Susi Auto Body, all providing customizable rail or grill-style guard options.

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EV00017896__Terms_and_Conditons.pdf PDF
EV00017856_Questions___Answers.pdf PDF
Boston_Fire_Dept._Technology_Upgrade.pdf PDF
BFD_IT_MODEM_UPGRADE_.docx DOCX document

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Text version

As the first of its kind in the nation, the Truck Side Guard ordinance championed by Mayor Walsh applies to motor vehicles weighing over 10,000 lbs. and semi-trailers with a total weight exceeding 26,000 lbs. The ordinance requires City agencies to contract only with vendors that have properly installed the following: side guards, convex mirrors, cross-over mirrors, and blind-spot awareness decals. These features are intended to reduce the risk of unprotected road users from falling under the sides of vehicles and getting caught under the rear wheels. The ordinance does not apply to several types of large vehicles, such as agricultural trailers, fire engines, and trucks used exclusively for snow removal.

TRUCK SIDE GUARD ORDINANCE

LATERAL PROTECTION (Side Guards) Device must not increase the width of the vehicle.

Device is rigid and securely mounted.

CONVEX MIRRORS

Objects can be seen down the full length of the vehicle.

Objects can be seen 3’ above the ground.

CROSS-OVER MIRRORS

Objects can be seen 3’ above the ground, from the bumper to where direct vision is possible.

SAFETY DECALS

“Safety yellow” in color or bright.

Minimum of 3 located in vehicle blind spots on side and the rear.

Vehicles designed in a manner that protects against lateral accidents, by virtue of their shape and characteristics, may satisfy the above requirements.

SUMMARY

REQUIREMENTS

COSTS, APPLICATION

Studies by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation have determined the cost of sideguards to be an average of $847. *They are typically installed as a bolt-on addition and can be fixed or hinged.

Mercedes and Volvo have produced side guard models.

*In the City of Boston pilot, each truck was outfitted for $1,200.

Lowest edge of is maximum 21.5” above the ground.

Upper edge is maximum 14” below structure of vehicle.

DIMENSION REQUIREMENTS FOR SIDE GUARDS

TRUCK SIDE GUARD ORDINANCE

max. 21.5” above ground max. 14” below structure of vehicle

SIDE GUARD

12” max.

5” m ax.

SI

D

E

VI

EW

TO

P

VI

EW

Not over 5” inboard of maximum width of vehicle.

Not over 12” from outer part of front and rear tire.

FRONT

SAMPLE OF GUARDS FROM BOSTON’S PILOT

What types of vehicles does this ordinance apply to? This ordinance applies to large vehicles (over 10,000lbs) and semi-trailers used by City of Boston vendors within the City of Boston

Do I need an inspection before I start work on a contract? Yes

When does the ordinance go into effect? All contracts starting on or after May 5, 2015 must comply

Can tool boxes work as guards? Yes, but the tool box must meet all the required measurements in the ordinance

Do subcontractors with trucks regularly working on a job need to be inspected and permitted? Yes

What about deliveries to a job site? The City does not view a subcontractor that simply delivers materials or goods to a job site or to a City Department to be a “Vendor” subject to the ordinance.”

If I typically rent trucks for a job, do those need to be inspected and permitted? Yes

Will the City do an off-site inspection for larger fleets? Yes, depending upon availability of inspectors and distance. Call the number below.

Common Questions

AIRFLOW DEFLECTOR

made by Airflow Deflector www.deflecteurairflow.com/ sideguardprotection

CUSTOM ‘RAIL’ STYLE

made by J.C. Madigan Inc.

www.jcmadigan.com

CUSTOM ‘GRILL’ STYLE

made by Susi Auto Body www.susiautobody.com

Cross Over Mirror

Cross Over Mirrors Help drivers see objects in the front blindspot of large trucks

Photo Credit: NYCDOT

Photo Credit: Jim O’Grady, WNYC

CALL TO SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION

http://www.deflecteurairflow.com/sideguardprotection http://www.jcmadigan.com http://www.susiautobody.com http://www.deflecteurairflow.com/sideguardprotection http://www.jcmadigan.com http://www.susiautobody.com

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