As the topic says i failed the SVA test today! There was nothing major but a couple of points did come up which may be an issue to some of you with tests booked.
* The box section rails each side of the cockpit do not meet the 2.5mm radius test. Nothing i can do about this as it is down to the manufacture of the chassis. I will have to panel both inside and outside to comply.
* Headlamps supplied with the delux SVA kit - one of them has a left hand drive beam pattern despite being marked for uk use. Will need to obtain a new light unit.
* Mirrors supplied with the SVA kit do not meet the 2.5mm radius edge along their whole length and on the mounting boss.
* Mountney steering wheel does not meet the 2.5mm radius edge. I will make a pad to cover the spokes.
* Seat belt upper mounts do not meet the radius despite the fact that they are E-marked.
* Rear reflectors do not meet the radius despite E-marking.
Are you spotting the pattern here?
* The calculated weight of axle 2 exceeds the design weight. I listed it as 420kg but weighed it came out as 431.06kg so he has marked it as overloaded. I will need a certificate or letter from the manufacturer stating a suitable design weight in order for the paperwork to be changed. He would not let me amend the form there and then.
* Speedo sensor is mounted to front wheel so will need documentary evidence from a powered roller set up of speedo accuracy at 35, 40, 50, 60 and 70mph. Hopefully my local rolling road will be able to do this when they set up the engine in a couple of weeks.
As you can see there is nothing which will pose any major problem but one or two items which should have been resolved at manufacture.
The tester i had has just completed his IVA training and enlightened me on one or two points which will cause problems for future builders. The biggest issue is that there will be no exempt zones. This means that ANY area contactable by the sphere will be required to meet the minimum radius edge. This includes behind the steering wheel and the suspension front and rear. At the moment the suspension is only tested from the front and can be exempted by a bumper. This will no longer apply. On the subject of bumpers the ends will need to be returned back on themselves and finish no more than 35mm away from the wheel (front and rear). For tubular bumpers think of the end of a walking stick and you will get the idea. The 35mm is designed to stop a pedestrians leg becoming trapped between the bumper and tyre when manouvering or during an accident.
All items will be tested from the rear as well as the front for radius because often cars leave the road backwards when in an accident and if they contact a pedestrian then the same rules apply as for a front impact.
Fuel tanks will need to have some form of type approval. This is not a problem if using one from a type approved production vehicle but will stop you making your own. This might be one that the manufacturer needs to look into. Also the positioning of them will be an issue. They have to be separated from the passenger compartment by a bulkhead which in the event of leakage will completely prevent fuel entering the passenger compartment. There are also issues regarding where the filler cap can be located but you will need to refer to the IVA manual for this.
I am sure there will be a whole load more things which come up over the next few months but those of you building at the moment who will be going for the IVA need to look very carefully at what you are doing now to prevent a lot of wasted effort or money.
I will be trying for a retest in a few weeks time but i am happy now that i have the six months leeway to resolve the issues under the SVA criteria.
* The box section rails each side of the cockpit do not meet the 2.5mm radius test. Nothing i can do about this as it is down to the manufacture of the chassis. I will have to panel both inside and outside to comply.
* Headlamps supplied with the delux SVA kit - one of them has a left hand drive beam pattern despite being marked for uk use. Will need to obtain a new light unit.
* Mirrors supplied with the SVA kit do not meet the 2.5mm radius edge along their whole length and on the mounting boss.
* Mountney steering wheel does not meet the 2.5mm radius edge. I will make a pad to cover the spokes.
* Seat belt upper mounts do not meet the radius despite the fact that they are E-marked.
* Rear reflectors do not meet the radius despite E-marking.
Are you spotting the pattern here?
* The calculated weight of axle 2 exceeds the design weight. I listed it as 420kg but weighed it came out as 431.06kg so he has marked it as overloaded. I will need a certificate or letter from the manufacturer stating a suitable design weight in order for the paperwork to be changed. He would not let me amend the form there and then.
* Speedo sensor is mounted to front wheel so will need documentary evidence from a powered roller set up of speedo accuracy at 35, 40, 50, 60 and 70mph. Hopefully my local rolling road will be able to do this when they set up the engine in a couple of weeks.
As you can see there is nothing which will pose any major problem but one or two items which should have been resolved at manufacture.
The tester i had has just completed his IVA training and enlightened me on one or two points which will cause problems for future builders. The biggest issue is that there will be no exempt zones. This means that ANY area contactable by the sphere will be required to meet the minimum radius edge. This includes behind the steering wheel and the suspension front and rear. At the moment the suspension is only tested from the front and can be exempted by a bumper. This will no longer apply. On the subject of bumpers the ends will need to be returned back on themselves and finish no more than 35mm away from the wheel (front and rear). For tubular bumpers think of the end of a walking stick and you will get the idea. The 35mm is designed to stop a pedestrians leg becoming trapped between the bumper and tyre when manouvering or during an accident.
All items will be tested from the rear as well as the front for radius because often cars leave the road backwards when in an accident and if they contact a pedestrian then the same rules apply as for a front impact.
Fuel tanks will need to have some form of type approval. This is not a problem if using one from a type approved production vehicle but will stop you making your own. This might be one that the manufacturer needs to look into. Also the positioning of them will be an issue. They have to be separated from the passenger compartment by a bulkhead which in the event of leakage will completely prevent fuel entering the passenger compartment. There are also issues regarding where the filler cap can be located but you will need to refer to the IVA manual for this.
I am sure there will be a whole load more things which come up over the next few months but those of you building at the moment who will be going for the IVA need to look very carefully at what you are doing now to prevent a lot of wasted effort or money.
I will be trying for a retest in a few weeks time but i am happy now that i have the six months leeway to resolve the issues under the SVA criteria.
