Final Rule on Rear Impact Guards and Rear Impact Protection
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently announced new amendments to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to include rear impact guards on the list of items that must be examined as part of the required annual inspection for each commercial motor vehicle. The changes include labeling requirements for rear impact guards and excludes road construction controlled horizontal discharge trailers from the rear impact guard requirements. The requirements will go into effect on December 9, 2021. You can read more details on the Federal Register.
Part 393.86(A)(6) Certification and Labeling Requirements for Rear Impact Protection Guards
FMCSA amends this section to clarify that the label may be on the forward or rear-facing surface of the horizontal member of the guard, provided it does not interfere with the retroreflective sheeting required by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
New Section 15 added to Appendix A to Part 396—Minimum Periodic Inspection Standards
A vehicle does not pass an inspection if it has one of the following defects of deficiencies:
15. Rear Impact Guard
a. Trailers and semitrailers with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,001 lbs.) or more, manufactured on or after January 26, 1998 (see exceptions in § 393.86(a)(1)).
1. Missing guard.
2. Guard is not securely attached to trailer, including broken or missing fasteners, any welds or parent metal cracked, or other damage that compromises secure attachment of the guard.
3. Guard horizontal member does not extend to within 100 mm (4 inches) of each, or extends beyond either, side extremity of the vehicle.
4. Guard horizontal member is more than 560 mm (22 inches) above the ground.
5. Guard horizontal member is more than 305 mm (12 inches) forward of the rear extremity of the vehicle.
6. Guard horizontal member does not have a cross sectional vertical height of at least 100 mm (4 inches) across its entire width.
b. Commercial motor vehicles manufactured after December 31, 1952 (except trailers and semitrailers manufactured on or after January 26, 1998) (see exceptions in § 393.86(b)(1) and § 393.86(b)(3)).
1. Missing guard.
2. Guard is not securely attached to trailer by bolts, welding, or other comparable means.
3. Guard horizontal member is more than 762 mm (30 inches) above the ground.
4. Guard horizontal member does not extend to within 457 mm (18 inches) of each side extremity of the vehicle.
5. Guard horizontal member is more than 610 mm (24 inches) forward of the rear extremity of the vehicle.
