§ 181.7. Front-end structure.
(a) General requirements. General requirements for front-end structures shall be as follows:
(1) Except as provided in subsection (g), every cargo carrying motor vehicle shall be equipped with a headerboard or similar device of sufficient strength to prevent load shifting and penetration or crushing of the compartment of the driver.
(2) On and after the effective dates specified in subsection (h), every cargo carrying motor vehicle must have a front-end structure that conforms with the provisions of this section.
(b) Location. The front-end structure shall be located between the cargo of the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle.
(c) Height and width. The front-end structure shall extend either to a height of 4 feet above the floor of the vehicle or to a height at which it blocks forward movement of any item of cargo being carried on the vehicle, whichever is lower. The front-end structure shall have a width which is at least equal to the width of the vehicle or which blocks forward movement of any item of cargo being transported on the vehicle, whichever is narrower.
(d) Strength. The front-end structure and the manner in which it is attached shall be capable of at least withstanding the horizontal forward static load specified in either paragraph (1) or (2).
(1) For a front-end structure less than 6 feet in height, a horizontal forward static load equal to 1/2 of the weight of the cargo being transported on the vehicle uniformly distributed over the entire portion of the front-end structure that is within 4 feet above the floor of the vehicle or that is at or below a height above the floor of the vehicle at which it blocks forward movement of any item of the cargo of the vehicle, whichever is less.
(2) For a front-end structure 6 feet in height or higher, a horizontal forward static load equal to .4 of the weight of the cargo being transported on the vehicle uniformly distributed over the entire front-end structure.
(e) Penetration resistance. The front-end structure shall be designed, constructed and maintained so that it is capable of resisting penetration by any item of cargo that contacts it when the vehicle decelerates at a rate of 20 feet per second per second. The front-end structure shall have no aperture large enough to permit an item of cargo in contact with the structure to pass through it.
(f) Substitute devices. The requirements of this section may be met by the use of devices performing the same functions as a front-end structure, if the devices are at least as strong as, and provide protection against shifting cargo at least equal to, a front-end structure which conforms with those requirements.
(g) Exemptions. The following motor vehicles shall be exempt from the requirements of this section:
(1) A pole trailer or semitrailer being towed by a truck tractor that is equipped with a front-end structure that conforms with the requirements of this section.
(2) A full trailer being towed by a vehicle that is equipped with a front-end structure that conforms with the requirements of this section for a front-end structure.
(3) A full trailer being towed by a vehicle that is loaded in such a manner that the cargo on the towing vehicle conforms with the requirements of this section for a front-end structure.
(4) The requirements of subsections (d) and (e) may not apply to a motor vehicle manufactured before October 1, 1975.
(h) Effective dates. The vehicles which are not exempted by subsection (g) shall conform with the requirements of this section as follows:
If the vehicle was manufactured: It must conform to the rules in subsection: On and after: Before June 1, 1975 (a), (b) and (f) October 1, 1975 or the date it was manufactured whichever is later. Before June 1, 1975 (c) January 1, 1976. On or after June 1, 1975 (a) through (f) inclusive The date it was manufactured. Subsections (d) and (e) does not apply to a motor vehicle that was manufactured before October 1, 1975.
Source The provisions of this § 181.7 adopted January 20, 1978, effective January 21, 1978, 8 Pa.B. 205.
Cross References This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 181.6 (relating to blocking and bracing).
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