Working Party on General Safety | Session 108 | 4-8 May 2015
Geneva
Agenda Item 2. (a)
Proposals for further amendments

5. Recalling the discussion at the previous GRSG session, the expert from Sweden introduced a revised proposal for the introduction of automatic fire suppression systems in the engine and/or heater compartment of buses and coaches (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2014/6/Rev.1). The expert from OICA raised concerns and presented GRSG-108-45 proposing further improvements to the revised text. The expert from Hungary introduced GRSG-108-10 on statistical information about fires in different categories and classes of buses and coaches.

6. Following a controversial discussion on the scope of the new test requirement for automatic fire suppression systems, GRSG agreed to go forward with the following compromise stages: (i) to agree during the current session on the mandatory installation of such systems on vehicles of Class III (as a Supplement to the 06 series of amendments) taking into account the transitional provisions (i.e. June 2018 for new types of vehicles and June 2019 for all existing types) as reflected in GRSG-108-51 and (ii) to reach a consensus at the forthcoming session of GRSG on the mandatory installation of automatic fire suppression systems on vehicles of Classes I and II. Thus, GRSG already committed to the following dates for the transitional provisions of stage (ii) mentioned above: at the latest 2020 for new types and 2022 for all types.

7. Finally, GRSG adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2014/6/Rev.1, as amended as reproduced in GRSG-108-51, and requested the secretariat to submit the proposal to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration at their November 2015 sessions, as draft Supplement 4 to the 06 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 107.

8. The expert from Germany introduced GRSG-108-16 clarifying the provisions on the height of steps in vehicles which comply to Annex 8. GRSG noted a number of comments and requested the secretariat to distribute GRSG-108-16 with an official symbol for further consideration at its next session.

9. The expert from UK presented GRSG-108-31 amending the safety prescriptions for buses and coaches to ensure that all occupants of exposed seats, and not just those at risk of being thrown forward into a step well, were provided with a means of protection. GRSG noted general support on the proposal. The Chair invited all experts to send their comments to the expert from UK who committed to submit to the secretariat a revised proposal for consideration at the next GRSG session as an official document.

10. The expert from Romania introduced GRSG-108-35 proposing to clarify the requirements on seat spacing. GRSG noted general support on the proposal and invited the secretariat distribute GRSG-108-35 with an official symbol, for further consideration at the next GRSG session.

11. The secretariat presented a draft brochure (GRSG-108-14) on a coordinated information campaign on UN Regulation No. 129 aiming at increasing the safety for children in vehicles. GRSG welcomed the document, but noted that it does not cover child restraint systems used in buses and coaches. To finalize the text of the brochure expected to be published soon, the Chair urged all experts to provide the secretariat (edoardo.gianotti@unece.org) their comments as soon as possible.

Documentation
GRSG-108-10 Statistical information about fires in different bus categories and classes (Hungary)
GRSG-108-14 Draft brochure as part of coordinated information campaign for UN Regulation No. 129
GRSG-108-16 Proposal for amendments to UN Regulation No. 107 (Germany)
GRSG-108-31 Proposal for amendments to Regulation No. 107 (UK)
GRSG-108-35 Proposal for amendments to Regulation No. 107 (Romania)
GRSG-108-45 Comments on the proposed supplement to the 06 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 107 (OICA)
GRSG-108-51 Proposal for a Supplement to the 06 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 107
GRSG/2014/6/Rev.1 Proposal for a Supplement to the 06 series of amendments to Regulation No. 107 (with track changes) (Sweden)