Higher standards at Heil Trailer as new ADR Regulation comes into effect

A new manufacturing standard focussing on the safety of road tankers transporting dangerous goods, including petroleum, is due to come into effect on 2nd April 2004 with the implementation of Directive 2003/28/EC in the UK.

For the past two years, engineers at leading manufacturer Heil Trailer International have been working to ensure that Heil's product will comply from day one.

The new design code, called EN13094:2004 specifies minimum requirements for the design and construction of metallic tanks used for the transportation of dangerous goods, with a maximum working pressure not exceeding 50kPa, such as petroleum spirit tankers.

Although EN13094 is currently in final draft stages, it has been supplied by the BSI technical committee and recognised by the Department for Transport as the interim design code satisfying the requirements of Directive 2003/28/EC. Full approval and publication of the standard is expected later this year.

Over the past two years Heil have been closely following the development of EN13094, and have made a number of changes to the design and manufacturer of their tanks, including:

• Upgrading the design of trailer top protections by developing new extrusion beams to provide full top protection all along the tank top. The new design is fully compliant with the upgraded strength requirements of EN13094.

• Ensuring all materials and thickness standards are fully compliant, such as a minimum compartment dish depth of 250mm.

• Ensuring all welding is to the standard maintained in EN13094, and taking special consideration when welding temporary attachments.

• Developing a calculation method to verify the strength of all aspects of the tank, including barrel, heads, partitions, openings and lids under service and test conditions, including the dynamic forces the tanks experience under transport conditions. All Heil engineers will be trained in the use of this calculation, to ensure that all new designs are fully compliant with the standard.

• All design documents must be sent to an authorised 3rd party for approval.

• All service repairs must be checked and approved by a 3rd party.

These developments ensure that Heil remain one of the most advanced manufacturers in Europe with regards to the application of the new standard.