Are you prepared for the upcoming brake safety week? If not, do not worry we have got you covered! Brake safety week is the week beginning on September 16 until September 22, 2018.
This initiative follows up on CVSA’s unannounced Brake Safety Day enforcement initiative conducted April 25, 2018, where U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions conducted an unannounced Brake Safety Day where 1,595 vehicles were placed out of order due to brake violations.
So, it is an important week for all truckers. We want to make sure that you prepared for your brake system inspection, and that you will pass with flying colors. Start preparing now, as you don’t want to find out the hard way that your truck is not road worthy. In this post, we will identify the 5 top tips to follow that you should help you prepare for a brake system inspection:
1. Check your air systems
Make sure that your air systems are clean, by clean we mean from contamination, mainly oil. Oil and other contaminants can be the cause of premature damage of the vital components in your brakes, such as the brake chamber diaphragms and brake modulating valves. If any of your seals have become deteriorated due to oil, it can be the cause of air system leaks which is one of the main components that are checked during your brake system inspection.
2. Check for leaks, cracks and loose ends
Before the upcoming inspection visually check and inspect your air chambers. Leading on from the point above, not only can they become contaminated they can also become damaged from loose or broken pushrods. You will also need to inspect your drum brakes for and cracks in the linings if oil or moisture has become an issue it can cause leaking wheel seals. Inspect your rotors for any grooving or cracks to make sure that the caliper is sliding freely – these will all be inspected and assessed during brake safety week.
3. Check your brake ‘friction.’
Manually inspect the quality and condition of your trucks brake friction. Have a look at your brake linings thickness, wear and if you have any cracks. All of which can contribute to your vehicles braking power.
4. What are they going to inspect?
During brake safety week your truck will be inspected for the following, to be assessed if you are roadworthy:
- Brake Adjustment
- Steering axle and the air brake mechanical components
- They will check the air systems pressure
- Inspection of the air brake anti-lock braking system (depending on your vehicle)
- Air Loss Rate
- Testing of the low air pressure warning device
5. What documents will I need to provide?
You will need the following documentation and evidence for your brake safety inspection:
- Driver’s License
- Authority Number
- Registration
- Make sure that your truck has a low air warning device
The annual brake safety week will ensure that you remain safe on the road, and will avoid any unnecessary accidents or breakdowns. Start preparing now for a safe drive on the road ahead!
