Page 19 - National Express_ GMStands

3.0 Routine Inspection

Group Companies must develop and implement an annual inspection to specifically safeguard against fire.
Where this is the case a robust plan for periodic checks must be defined and communicated and records
kept.

Group Companies must ensure that there is a robust ongoing maintenance and inspection process that
includes all items that can potentially decrease the risk of a fire. This must include fire suppression and
extinguishing equipment.

Group Companies must ensure that an appropriate regime of vehicle cleaning is in place, either
periodically or on a conditional based programme, to allow routine vehicle inspections to be undertaken
effectively.
Vehicles that do not meet acceptable engine bay cleanliness standards should be cleaned prior to being
used for service, especially after repair.

This maintenance and inspection process must include a robust policy on the identification, rectification
and monitoring of oil leaks. This may include minimum acceptable leakage limits and the processes
adopted to record and monitor leaks.

Group Companies must ensure there is a policy of zero tolerance for fuel leaks.

3.1 Vehicle Inspection

Each Group Company must have an agreed and documented minimum inspection standard for each
vehicle type, and variance thereof, for the vehicles in their fleet. Standards must, as a minimum, meet the
local legislative requirements for vehicle inspection (for example in the UK this would be the Driver and
Vehicle Standards Agency MOT standard).
Group Companies must ensure that vehicle inspections include the following:

Fire extinguishing and suppression equipment, including smoke alarms.
Engine bay cleanliness
Gearbox cleanliness
Fuel and oil leaks
Repair standards, and the reporting and repair of any obvious non-standard/temporary repairs
Aging and wear of components over the vehicle life
Tell-tale signs of potential fire risk, for example,
o Chaffing of harnesses and/or fuel pipes
o Heat damaged air system components
o Signs of arcing or heat damage
o Inappropriate fixings, clippings and clampings
o Smell of burning
Missing engine under trays.
Battery condition and corrosion
High readings for brake bind
Signs of heat build-up on hub components
Exhaust system and turbo charger leaks

Global Maintenance Standard: Reduction of Fire Risk (Vehicles) 6