Article 3 Sheeted vehicles
United Kingdom
Where appliacble, the provisions of Articles 1 and 2 of these Regulations shall apply to sheeted vehicles. Inaddition, these vehicles shall conform to the provisions of this Article.
The sheet shall be either of strong canvas or of plastic-covered or rubberized cloth, which shall be of sufficient strength and unstretchable. It shall be in good condition and made up in such a way that once the closing device has been secured, it is impossible to gain access to the load compartment without leaving obvious traces.
If the sheet is made up of several pieces, their edges shall be folded into one another and sewn together with two seams at least 15 mm apart. These seams shall be made as shown in Sketch No 1 appended to these Regulations; however, where in the case of certain parts of the sheet (such as flaps and reinforced corners) it is not possible to assemble the pieces in that way, it shall be sufficient to fold the edge of the top section and make the seams as shown in Sketch No 2 or 2 (a) appended to these Regulations. One of the seams shall be visible only from the inside and the colour of the thread used for that seam shall be clearly different from the colour of the sheet itself and from the colour of the thread used for the other seam. All seams shall be machine-sewn.
If the sheet is of plastic-covered cloth, and is made up of several pieces, the pieces may alternatively be welded together in the manner shown in Sketch No 3 appended to these Regulations. The edges of the pieces shall overlap by at least 15 mm. The pieces shall be fused together over the whole width of the overlap. The edge of the outer sheet shall be covered with a band of plastic material at least 7 mm wide, affixed by the same welding process. The plastic band and the sheet on each side of it for a width of at least 3 mm shall have a clearly-defined uniform relief pattern stamped on them. The pieces shall be welded in such a way that they cannot be separated and rejoined without leaving obvious traces.
Repairs shall be made in accordance with the method described in Sketch No 4 appended to these Regulations; the edges shall be folded into one another and sewn together with two visible seams at least 15 mm apart; the colour of the thread visible from the inside shall be different from that of the thread visible from the outside and from that of the sheet itself; all seams shall be machine-sewn. When a sheet which has been damaged near the edges is repaired by replacing the damaged part by a patch, the seam can also be made in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of this Article and Sketch No 1 appended to these Regulations. Sheets of plastic-covered cloth may alternatively be repaired in accordance with the method described in paragraph 4 of this Article, but in that case the plastic band must be affixed to both sides of the sheet, the patch being fitted on the inside of the sheet.
The sheet shall be fixed to the vehicle in strict compliance with the conditions set forth in Article 1 (a) and (b) of these Regulations. The following types of fastening shall be provided:
- (i)
metal rings fixed to the vehicles,
- (ii)
eyelets let into the edge of the sheet,
- (iii)
a fastening passing through the rings above the sheet and visible from the outside for its entire length.
The sheet shall overlap solid parts of the vehicle by at least 250 mm, measured from the centre of the securing rings, unless the system of construction of the vehicle in itself prevents all access to the load compartment.
When any edge of a sheet is to be permanently secured to a vehicle, the joint shall be continuous and effected by means of solid devices.
The sheet shall be supported by an adequate superstructure (uprights, sides, arches, slats, etc.).
The spaces between the rings and the spaces between the eyelets shall not exceed 200 mm. The space may however be greater but shall not exceed 300 mm between rings and eyelets on either side of the upright if the construction of the vehicle and the sheet is such as to prevent all access to the load compartment. The eyelets shall be reinforced.
The following fastenings shall be used:
steel wire ropes of at least 3 mm diameter; or
ropes of hemp or sisal of at least 8 mm diameter encased in a transparent sheath of unstretchable plastic.
Wire ropes may have a transparent sheath of unstretchable plastic.
metal end-piece at each end. The fastener of each metal end-piece shall include a hollow rivet passing through the rope so as to allow the introduction of the thread 10. Each rope shall be in one piece and have a hard or strap of the customs seal. The rope shall remain visible on either side of the hollow rivet so that it is possible to ensure that the rope is in one piece (see Sketch No 5 appended to these Regulations).
At the openings in the sheet, used for loading and unloading, the two edges of the sheet shall have an adequate overlap. They shall also be fastened by:
a flap sewn or welded in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4 of this Article;
rings and eyelets meeting the conditions of paragraph 8 of this Article; and
a thong made of appropriate material, in one piece and unstretchable, at least 20 mm wide and 3 mm thick, passing through the rings and holding together the two edges of the sheet and the flap; the thong shallbe secured inside the sheet and fitted with an eyelet to take the rope mentioned in paragraph 9 of this Article.
A flap shall not be required if a special device, such as a baffle plate, is fitted, which prevents access to the load compartment without leaving obvious traces.