Page 9 - National Express_ GMStands

The air supply at each site must be suitable for achieving the required pressure and tyres must not be over
inflated. Any gauges used to determine tyre pressures must be accurate, and where required calibrated
(this includes any gauges used by contractors).

IT IS MANDATORY THAT TYRES FITTED ARE INFLATED IN A ‘TYRE CAGE’ DURING THE ASSEMBLY
PROCESS, PARTICULARLY WHEN SEATING BEADS.

5.0 Wheel and Tyre Maintenance

Each Group Company must ensure they have a written policy that covers the maintenance of wheel rims
and tyres. This must cover all defined standards for inspection and ongoing monitoring of condition, tread
depth, pressure, damage and abnormal wear.
As a minimum, wheels and tyres must be inspected:

Daily – as part of driver walk round / pre use checks.
o Visual condition

Periodically – as part of routine vehicle inspection / servicing.
o Visual condition and wheel nut tightness

Note that this may be supported by any inspection carried out by tyre contractors and other third parties.
Each Group Company must ensure that they set standards which meet or exceed the local legal
requirements and that they are enforced.
As a minimum this must include a physical check of wheel nut tightness using a calibrated torque wrench
on periodic inspection.

5.1 Tyre Life Extension

Each Group Company must ensure they have a written policy that encompasses methods to extend the life
of a tyre, for example, puncture repairs, re-cutting / re-grooving of the tread, changing tyre positions to even
out wear and re-mould / re-cured tyres. This policy must also cover the positon to which these tyres are
permitted to be fitted, for example, no re-cut tyres on front or steered axles and define the maximum
difference in diameter between matched pairs.

Each Group Company must ensure that only trained personnel, that are deemed competent to carry out
puncture repairs and re-grooving/re-cutting of tyres, are permitted to undertake this work, and that the tyre
manufacturers’ specification and guidance is met.

Each Group Company must also determine and define the maximum life, before disposal, of any tyre fitted
to their fleet. For any application, this must be no longer than 10 years from the date of manufacture.

Global Maintenance Standard: Wheel Fitment & Security 7