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September 07, 2001

‘25’

SAFETY AND PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS FOR TYPE APPPROVAL OF CNG AND LPG OPERATED VEHICLES - PRESS NOTE

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MORTH) has prescribed Safety Code of Practice and Procedure to be followed by the test agencies prescribed under CMVR for the purposes of issuing type approval certificates for CNG and LPG operated vehicles. The safety code of practice and type approval procedure to be followed for CNG and LPG operated vehicles is given in AIS 024 D1 (Safety and Procedural Requirements for Type Approval of CNG Operated Vehicles) and AIS 025 D1 (Safety and Procedural Requirements for Type Approval of LPG Operated Vehicles) standards respectively. These documents contain safety code of practice and procedure to be followed for installation of CNG / LPG kits by vehicle manufacturers (OE), kit installers or kit manufacturers or kit suppliers or kit importers. These standards also contain technical specifications of vehicle and kit, checklist for fitness tests of in-use converted vehicles, criteria to authorize kit installer and details about installation.

Role and responsibility of each agency concerned is given in the above referred documents, salient features of which are described below:

Role of Test Agency (Page No. 3 to 6 of AIS 024 D1 and Page No. 3 and 4 of AIS 025 D1)

Type approval of CNG and LPG vehicles is carried out by the test agencies according to the Safety and Procedural Requirements for Type Approval of CNG / LPG Operated Vehicles. The test agencies carry out type approval certification trials on the vehicles and components submitted by vehicle / kit manufacturers / kit suppliers. Type approval certification trials basically involve testing and evaluation of vehicles and components for performance and safety and installation checks on the vehicle. If the vehicle meets the type approval norms and prescribed testing for components, type approval certificate is awarded to the vehicle / kit manufacturers / kit suppliers and the vehicle / kit manufacturers / kit suppliers are supposed to manufacture and market the vehicles fitted with kits conforming to those specifications. Necessary owner's manual, service manual, periodical inspection and maintenance instruction and adequate infrastructure to offer after sales service is the responsibility of vehicle / kit manufacturers / kit suppliers.

Responsibility of Vehicle / Kit Manufacturer / Kit Supplier (Page No. 3 & 4 of AIS 024 D1 and Page 3 of AIS 025 D1)

Prime responsibility of the vehicle / kit manufacturers / kit suppliers, as the case may be, is to manufacture and supply the vehicles fitted with CNG / LPG kits conforming to the specifications declared at the time of type approval. Necessary owner's manual giving the instructions about periodical maintenance, safety checks and dos and don'ts is to be prepared by vehicle / kit manufacturers / kit suppliers and provided to the vehicle owners. Necessary tools and gadgets to carry out installation, periodical inspection and maintenance of the vehicle shall be provided. If the kit manufacturer / supplier feels that additional safety instructions need to be provided in the vehicle, then it should be displayed at an appropriate location inside and outside the vehicle. During warranty period vehicle / kit manufacturers / kit suppliers should strictly adhere to the maintenance schedule and give appropriate training to the users. If the vehicle / kit manufacturers / kit suppliers feel that normal training is not sufficient, they should arrange comprehensive training to the users, drivers and other technicians on inspection, operation and maintenance. Vehicle / kit manufacturers / kit suppliers shall establish necessary infrastructure while establishing / appointing service centres / kit installers as per Annexure V of AIS 024 D1 and AIS 025 D1 standards.

Responsibility of Owners/Users (Clause No. 12 & 15 of Annexure V of AIS 24 D1/AIS 025 D1)

The owner/driver shall be instructed in the correct way that the gas system and controls function along with owner's operation manual for the gas system outlining the following :

Basic gas system explanation with a diagram
Fuel change over switch operation if bi-fuel system is fitted
Starting procedure for cold and hot start
How the vehicle is refueled
In the event of backfiring check procedure and compliance
In the event of gas leak shut off procedure and compliance
Emergence or information contact numbers in the event of emergency

Users should comply with all the instructions given by the vehicle manufacturers/kit installers. Necessary periodic inspection, as listed in owner's manual, shall be carried out by the users.
Users should follow the instructions while filling gas and carry out leakage test periodically.
Users to insist on appropriate training to be given to the drivers and technicians by vehicle manufacturers / kit installers / suppliers. Periodic inspection of valves, pipelines, cylinders and regulator / vaporizer shall be carried out.

In case of mal-functioning of any component, necessary repair and maintenance to be carried out at authorized service station under the assistance / guidance of installers, vehicle / kit manufacturers / suppliers.
The vehicle owner shall apply to the concerned registering authority within 14 days of undertaking the alteration for endorsement of particular alteration in the registration certificate mentioning place and date of installation and installation certificate number.

Statutory Requirements for Registration of Vehicle

Enhancement of safety can be ensured taking the following measures:

While registering every converted bus, vehicle manufacturers / kit installers along with bus body builders and transport authority shall jointly examine the bus prior to registration. The registration of such a vehicle shall be done only after signing the report jointly by all the concerned along with the transport authority.

Details of training module and frequency of training shall be communicated to the users / competent authority such as transport authority / registration authority by vehicle manufacturers / kit installers.

User-friendly approach from vehicle manufacturers and kit installers for servicing, maintenance and supply of spare parts is essential. The details shall be worked out prior to placement of order.

Additional safety features such as 2 Nos. of dry powder type fire extinguishers of 2 kg each shall be provided one in driver's cabin and another in passenger compartment. Gas leakage detector will further enhance safety.

For electrical installation, flameproof cables shall be used, especially positive terminals shall be locked firmly with all cables and pipes with proper looming to take care of vibrations; fire retardant material shall be used for seat / upholstery / roof and side lining. Safety instructions about alertness in case of gas leakage and fire hazard shall be displayed.