Load Restraint Car Carriers
If you are transporting or organising the transport of cars on car carriers in Australia have you considered how this is handled through ISO standards in Europe.
While there may not be a standard in Australia using these European standards could help you develop a safety system that you can discuss with your supply chain (this does not apply to container transport).
How as a PCBU have you reviewed this and saying there is no Australian Standard is not good enough.
ISO Standards for Load Restraint Requirements in Europe for Car Transport on Car Carriers
In Europe, the transport of cars on car carriers is governed by a combination of ISO standards, European regulations, and national laws. These standards focus on ensuring that vehicles are safely and securely restrained to minimize the risk of accidents or damage during transit. While there are no single ISO standards solely dedicated to car transport on car carriers, several ISO standards and European Union (EU) regulations are relevant to load restraint in this context.
Here’s a breakdown of the key ISO standards and guidelines that apply to load restraint for cars on car carriers:
1. ISO 14813:2005 – Road Vehicles and Carriers: Load Restraint Systems
ISO 14813 provides guidelines and specifications for load restraint systems used in the transport of road vehicles, including cars on car carriers. This standard covers general principles for load securing, including the use of restraint systems such as straps, chains, and bars, and it offers guidance on:
Restraint force calculation: Ensuring the correct force is applied to secure the load, considering dynamic forces like acceleration, braking, and cornering.
Types of restraint systems: Guidance on selecting the appropriate restraint systems (e.g., ratchet straps, wheel chocks, and tie-down chains) for different load types, including cars.
Safety criteria: Ensuring that restraints are installed in a way that prevents damage to both the vehicles being transported and the car carrier, considering factors like load weight and distribution.
2. ISO 27956:2019 – Road Vehicles: Securing of Cargo on Motor Vehicles
ISO 27956:2019 provides requirements for the securing of cargo on motor vehicles, including car carriers. The standard defines criteria for the design and use of cargo securing systems. For car transport:
Securing Methods: Specifies the different types of securing systems, including ratchet straps, chain and tensioning systems, and wheel securing devices.
Load Distribution: Ensures that vehicles are properly distributed and balanced on the carrier to prevent shifting during transport.
Dynamic Load: Addresses how to calculate dynamic loads and secure the vehicles accordingly, considering factors like braking forces and cornering forces.
Anchor Points and Restraints: Establishes guidelines for the location and strength of anchor points on the carrier, as well as the strength and durability of the restraint systems used.
3. ISO 16230 – Road Vehicles: Requirements for Load Restraint Systems for Car Transporters
This specific ISO standard focuses on car transporters and the requirements for securing cars on such vehicles. It provides specific criteria for the design of load restraint systems that are suitable for car transporters, including:
Securing Methods: Requirements for specific restraint methods like tie-down straps, wheel chocks, overhead restraints, and side barriers.
Load Distribution: Ensures that cars are distributed correctly on the car carrier to avoid imbalanced loads, which can lead to dangerous handling issues.
Tensioning Devices: Guidance on the use of tensioning devices (e.g., ratchet straps) to apply the appropriate amount of force on the load.
4. EN 12195-1:2010 – Load Restraint on Road Vehicles
EN 12195-1:2010 is an important European standard for load restraint on road vehicles. It applies to all types of load restraint, including cars on car carriers, and sets out the general principles for securing loads. Key elements include:
Calculation of Restraint Force: The standard defines the minimum force required to safely secure a load, considering the vehicle’s weight and the dynamic forces likely to be encountered during transport.
Type of Restraint: Defines the different types of restraint systems that can be used, including ratchet straps, tensioning devices, and wheel securing systems.
Safety Factors: The standard ensures that restraint systems account for a safety factor to compensate for unforeseen forces, such as sudden deceleration or impact.
5. Directive 2008/64/EC – European Directive on Load Securing
While not an ISO standard, the EU Directive 2008/64/EC specifically addresses load securing for vehicles involved in transport. It mandates that load securing must:
Prevent Load Movement: Ensure that loads, including cars on car carriers, are sufficiently restrained to prevent shifting during the journey.
Minimize the Risk of Accidents: Prevent accidents caused by shifted cargo or unstable loads that could impact vehicle handling or cause damage to other road users.
Compliance with National Laws: Require that all EU member states adopt national legislation ensuring that load securing complies with these requirements.
6. National Load Restraint Guide (Australia) - For Comparison
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While this is not directly related to European standards, it’s important to mention the Australian National Load Restraint Guide (which follows similar principles). In Australia, the guide outlines the importance of calculating pre-tensioning, using rated equipment, and ensuring proper anchor points for securing cars on car carriers, which aligns with the general principles found in European standards.
Key Load Restraint Considerations for Car Transport on Car Carriers:
When applying ISO and European standards to car carriers, the following load restraint considerations are crucial:
Tensioning and Restraint Force:
Ensure that tensioning devices such as ratchet straps or chain systems provide sufficient pre-tension and sustained tension during transit to withstand dynamic forces.
Load Distribution:
Proper load distribution ensures that the weight is evenly spread across the carrier, preventing unstable loading that could lead to load shifts or vehicle instability.
Anchor Points and Restraints:
Anchor points on the car carrier must be strong and located appropriately to secure the vehicles without damaging them.
Regular Inspections:
Restraint systems should be inspected regularly for wear, damage, or incorrect tensioning to ensure they meet the required strength and safety standards.
Conclusion
ISO standards and European regulations related to load restraint on car carriers focus on ensuring that vehicles are properly secured during transport. These standards—ISO 14813, ISO 27956, ISO 16230, EN 12195-1, and Directive 2008/64/EC—all emphasize the importance of tensioning, load distribution, and anchor points to minimize the risk of load shifts and accidents. For PCBU’s in Europe, adherence to these standards ensures compliance with safety regulations and reduces the risk of damage, accidents, or injury due to improperly restrained cargo.
Spanset offers Carfix which can assist you (if using this also consider work at height requirements for team member safety).
CarFix
Designed for securing cars and light commercial vehicles on car transporters.
Simply place CarFix lashing straps over the tyres and fix each of them at three points in the perforated plate of the car transporter. Together with the necessary wedges, this reliably prevents the vehicle from rolling or sliding on the loading area. Different strap widths with a lashing capacity of 1,500 daN or 2,500 daN in straight pull are available. The pronounced tread on the underside of the belt controller adheres to the tyre during transport and thus remains in position.
3-fold hook security
With three-point securing by means of hooks at the fixed end, loose end (firmly sewn) and free-running on the loose end for fast, secure fastening and easy handling. For fastening to the perforated plate, the movable swivel hook, which can be rotated through 360°, or the classic pointed hook are available.
CarFix lashing strap 1,500 and 2,500 daN lashing capacity
SpanSet CarFix is available in 35 mm and 50 mm belt widths and a lashing capacity of 1,500 or 2,500 daN in straight pull. Due to the low belt strap elongation of ≤ 4 % it is especially suitable for the transport of vehicles.
Position stability and protection for the webbing
The webbing controller is a standard feature of both lashing strap variants. The pronounced tread on the underside of the strap controller adheres to the tyre during transport and is therefore positionally stable, the inner strap slides when tightened. The webbing controller protects both the webbing and the tyre of the vehicle.
Protected label
The label with all important information such as date of manufacture, manufacturer and lashing capacity (LC) is sewn tightly into the webbing and protected by an overlapping webbing. An information label is integrated which helps to avoid application errors.
CarFix complies with VDI guideline 2700
Manufactured according to DIN EN 12195-2
Complies with VDI-RI. 2700 sheets 8.1 + 8.2 2 "Securing passenger cars and light commercial vehicles on car transporters"