23 replies to this topic

[Bungle]

by a MOT man that not looking for it to be legal

[Dan]

As Bungle says, the MOT does not check the belts are legal. It checks they are the correct layout or better for that seat in that age of car. It checks they are undamaged and functional. It checks they are secured to the vehicle. And that's it. An MOT inspector is not permitted to just fail you on whatever he sees fit, he may only test what the manual says he may test. As I said above though, the Police and VOSA can check such things if you ever get pulled or inspected.

[ibrooks]

Also to be properly road legal they must have push button buckles, twist release aircraft latches aren't permitted. That should be part of the E marking though.

You have to be able to put the belt on and latch it with one hand. If that's possible with a particular design of twist latch then they are fine.

Regarding E-Marks

3. Each seat belt must bear the appropriate approval marks or have the equivalent characteristics to that of a belt approved for the same category of vehicle to ensure the belt meets the required approval standards. (see note 5)

Note 5: Characteristics include
The webbing is of an equivalent type of material and where it is likely to come into contact with the body of the wearer is at least 46mm (33mm in the case of harness belt shoulder straps) in width.
All components are suitably protected against corrosion, e.g. plated or coated.
The locking mechanism, i.e. the buckle, when both under load and not under load, can be released by a single movement in one direction by either hand.
Other than a harness belt the locking mechanism contact area with the body of the wearer is not less than 46mm in width.
For a static seat belt there is a manual adjusting device

accessible to the wearer when seated

convenient and easy to use

capable of being tightened with one hand.
For a retracting belt, the retractor locks when the vehicle is subject to deceleration, tilt or the belt is pulled quickly from the retracting mechanism

Another little snippet

Note 1: A British Standard BS3254 Part 1 1988 or evidence of FIA 8853-98 approval for a harness belt is acceptable

Iain

[Cater_Racer]

Another little snippet

Note 1: A British Standard BS3254 Part 1 1988 or evidence of FIA 8853-98 approval for a harness belt is acceptable

Iain

So THAT's why my belts are ok.....................

http://www.motorspor...p;productId=100

[ibrooks]

NO - your belts are OK (or not) because they meet the standard above that. All the markings mean is that they have been tested by one of the authorities be it the British Standards authority or the FIA.

The only thing that matters is the standard - the little markings on the label purely mean that it meets the standard. Not having the markings does not mean it doesn't meet the standard.

It's like saying a Cod is a fish therefore a fish is a Cod - the first part of the phrase is a simple fact but the second part can be complete rollocks.

Iain

Edited by ibrooks, 03 March 2011 - 11:40 PM.

[Cater_Racer]

It's like saying a Cod is a fish therefore a fish is a Cod - the first part of the phrase is a simple fact but the second part can be complete rollocks.

Iain

I think that sums it up nicely

[Dan]

I didn't say it had to be E marked, I said above exactly what you've been saying. That E marking is just a short cut to be able to say it meets approval without having to check it over and measure it.

i.e. the buckle, when both under load and not under load, can be released by a single movement in one direction by either hand.

This I was already aware of, and is why more or less all rotary buckles are not permitted. It's not to do with putting the belt on, it's to do with taking it off. Because you might be unconcious and expecting someone who is not familiar with your specific belt to release it and drag you from a burning car. Including my wife who is a Paramedic and I don't want her messing around in a dangerous crashed vehicle for any longer than needed because someone thinks their belts look good. That's why it's the law and that's why I personally take it seriously.

[ibrooks]

I didn't say it had to be E marked

Now you see I read something different somewhere.

Many parts of a car built after the early '80s are required to bear an approval mark. Either an E mark or a Kite mark or similar. If parts are fitted that are required to be marked but don't have one, they are not legal.

There is a legal requirement for belts to be to a certain standard and bear a mark for most of our cars,

Obviously I read it wrong.

[Dan]

Ok, I see what you're getting at and maybe we are not saying the same thing after all. I mean that 'an approval mark' does not have to mean specifically an E mark. There are other testing standards that are permitted, Kite marks and others. But production cars need to have approval marks on parts that need to comply, where are you quoting from? It appears to me to be the IVA which is different. It has to allow for imported cars, which may not have approval marks but which may comply anyway. The C&U regs for production cars are different and unless you want to get your car IVAd it still has to comply with the C&U or Euro type approval that was in force when it was built.