Requirements for Tanker Vehicles

3.7.1Requirements for Tanker Vehicles

All tanker vehicles must comply with “Requirements for LV”, “Requirements for HGV” or “Requirements for Trailers” as detailed above, and in addition the following:

1. 
   All tanker vehicles equipped with a PTO Operated Pump must also be equipped with an air valve control which interlocks the power take-off engagement with the braking system, so that the brakes are applied and the vehicle cannot be moved when pumping.
   
2. 
   All tanker vehicles must comply with the following colour coding:
   

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  Potable Water: Blue
  
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  Brackish Water: Green
  
• 
  Sewage sludge :Yellow
  
• 
  Hydrocarbon tankers (including vacuum tankers required to haul hydrocarbons): Predominantly white with a red stripe along the sides of the tank
  
• 
  Chemical tankers (e.g. chlorine): Predominantly white with a yellow stripe along the
  

• 
  Bitumen: Predominantly black, with or without a red stripe.
  

3. 
   Petrol driven auxiliary discharge pumps are not permitted.
   
4. 
   Skidded tanks must only be carried on trailers which are a minimum of 2.8m wide.
   
5. 
   All tanker vehicles must be designed such that the ratio of height of centre of gravity for a fully laden vehicle when compared to the width of the vehicle, must have the following maximum values as shown in the diagram below:
   

• 
  All tankers (except skidded tanks) h <= 0.7 x t
  
• 
  Skidded tanks h <= 0.85 x t
  

6. 
   The vehicle must have a certificate from the manufacturer showing that the vehicle meets these requirements. This certificate must be available for inspection at the vehicle's base of operations and a copy must be kept in the vehicle.
   

7. 
   For a semi-trailer, the mass on the axles of the load carrying unit of the laden semi-trailer must not exceed 70% of the nominal total laden mass of the complete semi trailer and prime mover.
   

a) Internal Design of Tanks

• 
  The maximum volume contained between two partitions or surge plates is 7500 litres.
  
• 
  Surge plates and partitions must be dished, with a depth of dish of not less than 10cm (see diagram), or must be corrugated, profiled or otherwise reinforced to give equivalent strength. The area of the surge plate must be at least 70% of the cross-sectional area of the tank.
  

b) Manholes

• 
  All tankers (except those having a fully opening rear end) must be fitted with a minimum of two manholes.
  
• 
  As a minimum manholes must be 407mm (16 inches) by 356mm (14 inches) if they are rectangular, or 407mm (16 inches) in diameter if circular.
  
• 
  Manholes (except in the case of potable water tankers) must be designed to resist opening in the event of a rollover.
  
• 
  Manholes (except in the case of potable water tankers) must be protected by a valance. The valance must be higher than the manhole and cover, and any other tank top fittings. It must be designed to withstand 2 times the weight of the fully loaded vehicle in a vertical direction, and 1.5 times the weight of the fully loaded vehicle in a horizontal direction. Drainage of the valance must be provided.
  

c) Venting

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  All tankers must be protected from overpressure by being fitted with at least one pressure relief valve or vent, which may be fitted within a manhole.
  
• 
  For all tankers (except water tankers) all vents must be fitted with suitable flame/spark arrester.
  

d) Access

• 
  Tankers must be fitted with a non-slip walkway a minimum of 600mm wide for access to the tank top and a non-slip ladder must be fitted to enable access to the walkway. The ladder should be designed so that the lowest rung is between 40cm and 90cm from the ground
  
• 
  All water tankers must be fitted with hand rails on the tank top. Although not mandatory on hydrocarbon tankers (due to terminal loading restrictions) folding hand rails are recommended.
  

3.7.2Requirements for Tankers Carrying Flammable/Hazardous Substances

In addition to the requirements above, tanker vehicles carrying flammable/hazardous substances must have:

1. 
   An exhaust system forward of the front axle, below the chassis on the drivers side, with discharge directed away from the tank on the driver's side of the vehicle or an exhaust system fitted with a flame/spark arrester
   
2. 
   Anti-static tyres i.e. conductive, with a maximum resistance of 1 x 10⁶ Ohms.
   
3. 
   A master isolation switch outside the cab to isolate all electrical circuits, except the tachograph/ IVMS. The switch must be clearly marked in Arabic and English "Electrical Isolation Switch" in red letters on a white background. The "On" and "Off" positions of the switch itself must be clearly marked in Arabic and English. A sign in Arabic and English reading "In Case of an Accident or Fire Put this Switch to Off" must be fitted next to the switch. The sign must be red text on a white background, readable at a distance of 5m.
   
4. 
   Battery terminals that are covered to prevent accidental shorting.
   
5. 
   The loading and discharge piping/valving must be designed in such a way that when in transit, the flammable substance is only carried within the body of the tank, not within the piping external to the tank.
   
6. 
   Electrical wiring complying with BS6862 or equivalent, and protected by solid draw tubing suitable for bulk vehicles carrying Class 1 petroleum products.
   
7. 
   A fire resistant shield, screening the engine from the body of the vehicle if the engine protrudes behind the rear of the cab, or if the engine is open to the rear. The fire screen must cover any unenclosed part of the engine above or to the rear of the cab and extend down to the top of the chassis side members.
   
8. 
   At least one means of earthing the tanker for use during loading and unloading operations.
   
9. 
   A vacuum relief valve, with suitable flame/spark arrester, which may be fitted within the manhole
   
10. 
    Drivers must be equipped with all necessary SHOC and TREM Cards according to the vehicle load.