SVA Guide
The Chapters applicable to Locost construction are: Anti-theft, demisting, wipers, seats, seatbelts, interior projections, radio suppression, glass, lighting, mirrors, tyres, exterior, steering, design and construction, brakes, noise, emissions, projections, speedometer and weights. In fact everything except doors!
Chapter 1
Anti-theft devices – something like a battery isolator or an electrical switch (in addition to the ignition switch). it must not act on the steering or pedals.
Chapter 2
Defrosting – Any system capable of giving the driver an adequate view ahead. Ducted hot air or a electrically heated screen.
Chapter 3
Wipers – Must be automatic. Must park out of driver’s view.
Chapter 4
Seats – Must be firmly fixed. Locost seats only fixed into an aluminium floor may fail on this point.
Chapter 5
Seat belts – Must be fitted with required number of anchorage points and be located at the correct height and undamaged. Taking photo's of any hidden mountings or showing them the book may help here. Roll bar mountings usually need to be above the rear bulkhead (photo) The higher the seat base the higher your top mountings need to be. Bolts must be 11mm or 11/16th" grade 8.8 minimum.
Chapter 6
Interior – Must have no sharp or protruding edges. An area behind the steering wheel and for 127mm all around the outside of the wheel is exempt. Things like switches and instruments should be recessed if possible.
Chapter 7
Radio suppression – Must have suppression fitted. No work usually needed - most leads/ignition systems comply.
Chapter 8
Glass – Screen must be made of safety glass and of a recognised standard and marked by the manufacturer NOT by a glass agent.
Chapter 9
Lights – Obligatory lights must be in the required positions, right colours and intensity and visible from required angles. Must not be sited below minimum height. Check also Construction and use requirements. Blue lights of any kind are prohibited (boy racers take note!)
Chapter 10
Mirrors - Checked for positions, and field of vision. One interior mirror and one offside mirror minimum, unless there is no view from an interior mirror - best to have three to satisfy field of vision. Wing mirrors also checked under "projections"
Chapter 11
Tyres - Speed and load rating must be correct and must be "E" marked, and of course have legal tread.
Chapter 12
Doors etc - Not really applicable to Locosts!
Chapter 13
Exterior - Between floor and a height of 2 metres nothing must catch or risk injury to any person who could come into contact with the vehicle. Projections are dealt with here. Most Locosts need nut covers and Split heater hose/convoluted water piping, fixed with tie-wraps(must look "permanent")all over the front suspension, not pretty but (whisper it) removable.
Chapter 14
Protective steering - some sort of energy absorbtion must be built into the steering column. This maybe offset joints or energy absorbing components.
Chapter 15
Design & Construction – Deals with all aspects of design safety and ensures that no danger is caused to any vehicle occupants or other road users. They can't check your welding!
Chapter 16
Brakes - Vehicle must conform to listed operations, five tests are performed with ever increasing pedal pressure on the front and then the rear wheels. Many people fit a limiting valve to the rear brake curcuit, an adjustable one can be made, check out THIS courtesy of Dave Andrews.
Chapter 17
Noise - Checks that exhaust system is complete, a silencer is fitted and that 101db is not exceeded. Plates and extra packing can be used to reduce the noise.
Chapters 18 & 19
Emissions - Based on the age of the engine, the older, the more relaxed the regulations. Consider getting documentary evidence of the age of the engine, some might try to test it under current limits, Your Pinto won't pass these, believe me! Checked via an approved and calibrated exhaust gas analyser. Get someone in to check these before you go,as failing on just this would be a choker! Think about waiting until the test is over before putting the twin 48's on! Chapter 19 is Deisel emissions
Chapter 20
Speedometer - Checks accuracy of speedo within defined limits. If all speedometer related parts come from a single donor, this part of test not carried out.
Chapter 21
Weights - Checks maximum gross weight and max permitted axle weights are not less then weights calculated using kerbside weights and passenger weight. You need to put design weights on the form, but if you're out they usually let you alter them.
