87Performance of braking systems

87 Performance of braking systems

87 Performance of braking systems

(1) The braking system of a heavy motor vehicle built after 1930 or a heavy combination that includes a heavy motor vehicle built after 1930 must, on application of a brake, be able to produce the performance mentioned in subsections (2) to (4)—

(a) when the vehicle is on a dry, smooth, level road surface, free from loose material; and

(b) whether or not the vehicle has goods or passengers in it; and

(c) whether or not the vehicle is used alone or as part of a combination; and

(d) without part of the vehicle moving outside a straight path—

(i) centred on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle before the brake was applied; and

(ii) 3.7m wide.

(2) The braking system of a heavy motor vehicle or heavy combination that includes a heavy motor vehicle built after 1930 must bring the vehicle from a speed of 35km/h to a stop within—

(a) 16.5m when the service brake is applied; and

(b) 40.5m when the emergency brake is applied.

(3) The braking system of a heavy motor vehicle or heavy combination that includes a heavy motor vehicle built after 1930 must decelerate the vehicle, from any speed at which the vehicle can travel, by an average of at least—

(a) 2.8m a second a second when the service brake is applied; and

(b) 1.1m a second a second when the emergency brake is applied.

(4) The braking system of a heavy motor vehicle or heavy combination that includes a heavy motor vehicle built after 1930 must achieve a peak deceleration of the vehicle, from any speed at which the vehicle can travel, of at least—

(a) 4.4m a second a second when the service brake is applied; and

(b) 1.5m a second a second when the emergency brake is applied.

(5) The parking brake of a heavy motor vehicle or heavy combination must be able to keep the vehicle, or any combination of which it is a part, stationary on a 12% gradient—