Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004

Amendment to Schedule 5 (gas systems)

5.—(1) Schedule 5 to the principal Regulations shall be amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (5).

(2) In paragraph 1, after the definition of “double-check valve” the following definition shall be inserted –

“electrically operated valve” means a device which is electrically operated and opens when the ignition is switched on and closes when the ignition is switched off or the power is otherwise cut off;”.

(3) For paragraph 4(4) there shall be substituted –

“(4) Flexible hose may be used in a high pressure pipeline either if –

(a) (i) it is reinforced either by stainless steel wire braid or by textile braid,

(ii) its length does not exceed 500mm, and

(iii) save in the case of a pipeline attached to a gas container for the purpose of filling that container the flexibility which it provides is necessary for the construction or operation of the gas system of which it forms a part; or

(b) its length exceeds 500mm and it complies with Annex 8 of ECE Regulation 67.01 and is approved and marked in accordance with that Regulation.

(4A) In the case of a motor vehicle which first used gas as a fuel for its propulsion on or after 25th August 2004 a flexible hose of any length used in a high pressure pipe shall comply with the requirements of Annex 8 of ECE Regulation 67.01, shall be approved and marked in accordance with that Regulation, and shall be no longer than is reasonably necessary.”.

(4) For paragraph 8(2) there shall be substituted –

“(2) Where a fixed gas container supplies no gas system other than a gas propulsion system –

(a) an electrically operated valve may be fitted in place of the valve or cock referred to in sub-paragraph (1);

(b) either –

(i) it shall be fitted as near as practicable to the gas container; or

(ii) if fitted in addition to the valve or cock referred to in sub-paragraph (1) it shall either be incorporated into that valve or cock or be fitted immediately downstream from it; and

(c) it shall if fitted inside the vehicle be so arranged as to prevent as far as is practicable the possibility of gas entering the engine, passengers or living compartments due to leaks, and the space containing the valve shall be so ventilated and drained as to prevent the accumulation of gas in that space.”.