Truck_Side_Guard_Ordinance.pdf
PDF 4 MB Posted
- Attached to
- BPD AMMUNITION
- Solicitation number
- EV00017984
- Issued by
- Norfolk County, Massachusetts
About this file
This is a regulatory ordinance document issued by the City of Boston that establishes truck side guard requirements for vendors contracting with City agencies. The ordinance applies to motor vehicles exceeding 10,000 pounds and semi-trailers weighing over 26,000 pounds, with implementation effective for all contracts commencing on or after May 5, 2015. Vendors must equip qualifying vehicles with four mandatory safety features: side guards, convex mirrors, cross-over mirrors, and blind-spot awareness decals. The ordinance exempts certain vehicle types including agricultural trailers, fire engines, and trucks used exclusively for snow removal. Side guards must meet specific dimensional requirements, with the lowest edge positioned at a maximum of 21.5 inches above ground and the upper edge no more than 14 inches below the vehicle structure. All vendors are required to schedule inspections prior to commencing contract work, and subcontractors with trucks regularly working on job sites must also be inspected and permitted.
The average cost of side guard installation is approximately $847 per vehicle 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 are typically installed as bolt-on additions that can be fixed or hinged, with manufacturers including Mercedes, Volvo, Airflow Deflector, J.C. Madigan Inc., and Susi Auto Body offering compliant products. The ordinance permits tool boxes to serve as side guards provided they meet all specified measurements. The City offers off-site inspections for larger fleets depending on inspector availability and distance. Simple material deliveries to job sites or City Departments do not classify vendors as subject to the ordinance requirements.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| EV00017984__Terms_and_Conditions.pdf | ||
| BPD_AMMUNITION.pdf |
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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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