Are you prepared for the upcoming Brake Safety Week? If not, don’t worry – we’ve got all you need to know in this post! The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Brake Safety Week is scheduled for September 15-21, 2019.
Next week, enforcement officials across North America will conduct roadside safety inspections on commercial motor vehicles. This year, inspectors will be paying special attention to brake hoses/tubing. Checking these areas is always a part of a standard inspection, so the focus is a reminder of their importance to overall vehicle mechanical condition and safety. Vehicles with critical brake violations or any other critical vehicle inspection item violations will be restricted from traveling until those violations are corrected. Vehicles without violations can receive a CVSA decal indicating that the vehicle passed inspection.
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 review the 6 top tips to help you prepare for a brake system inspection:
Check your hoses/tubing
The brake systems on commercial motor vehicles are comprised of components that work together to slow and stop the vehicle and brake hoses/tubing are essential for the proper operation of those systems. Brake hoses/tubing must be properly attached, undamaged, without leaks and appropriately flexible. Brake hoses/tubing are an important part of the braking system so when they do fail, they can cause problems for the rest of the braking system.
Check your air systems
Make sure that your air systems are clean, by clean we mean free 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.
Check for leaks, cracks and loose ends
Before the upcoming inspection, visually check and inspect your air chambers. As in the point above, not only can they become contaminated, but they can also become damaged from loose or broken pushrods. You will also need to inspect your drum brakes for 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.
Check your brake ‘friction.’
Manually inspect the quality and condition of your truck’s brake friction. Have a look at your brake lining for thickness, wear, and if you have any cracks. All of these contribute to your vehicle’s braking power.
What are they going to inspect?
- During Brake Safety Week, your entire truck will be inspected for the following:
- Brake Adjustment
- Steering axle and the air brake mechanical components
- Air systems pressure
- Air brake anti-lock braking system (depending on your vehicle)
- Air Loss Rate
- Low air pressure warning device
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’s goal is to reduce the severity and number of crashes caused by faulty brake systems by removing unsafe motor vehicles from our roadways. The blitz will also 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!
