Introduction

7 Inspection premises and equipment


Inspecting organisations must:

  • have premises and equipment that comply with all applicable requirements set out in this section
  • continue to comply with all applicable requirements set out in this section
  • maintain their premises and equipment in a good state of repair at all times
  • have brake performance testing equipment calibrated at least every 12 months, or more frequently if required by the brake performance testing equipment manufacturer.

1 Premises specifications

Minimum access, exit and turning circle specifications

Specification

Vehicle class

LA, LB, LC, LD

LE, MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2, NA

MD3, MD4, ME, NB, NC, TC, TD

Minimum access and exit width

2.0m

(2.8m for LD)

2.8m

3.0m

Minimum access and exit height

2.0m

3.0m

4.5m

Minimum level approach to roller brake machine (measured from the centre of the rollers)

2.0m

5.0m

19m

Minimum level exit from roller brake machine (measured from the centre of the rollers)

2.0m

5.0m (Note 1)

19m

Minimum turning radius

5.0m

8.0m

12.5m (Note 2)

Marked turning circle diameter

N/A

N/A

25m (Note 3)

Note 1

Reverse-off facilities must have 5.0m minimum level distance behind the brake-rollers.

Note 2

700mm clearance on each side of the 12.5m radius swept path for a B-train.

Note 3

May be located within 5 km of inspection premises.

1.1 Inspection area specifications
Minimum dimensions

Specification

Vehicle class

LA, LB, LC, LD

LE, MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2, NA

MD3, MD4, ME, NB, NC, TC, TD

Inspection area width

2.4m

4.0m

5.0m – see (c) below

Inspection area height

2.5m

3.0m

5.0m

Inspection area length

3.0m

6.0m

23.0m – see (g) overleaf

Other requirements and considerations:

a) The inspection area must be situated within a building that has a roof, sides and doors made of permanent building materials.

b) The inspection area must be clear of all structural and equipment intrusions apart from the vehicle hoist and roller brake machine.

c) The inspection area width for vehicle classes MD3, MD4, ME, NB, NC, TC and TD may overlap any adjoining inspection area for the same vehicle class up to 1m along its length.

d) The inspection area floor must be smooth concrete or tar seal.

e) The ground must be even and level. That is, all vehicle combinations must remain stationary with all brakes released.

f) There must be sufficient suitable lighting in the inspection area.

g) The minimum inspection area length for vehicle classes MD3, MD4, ME, NB, NC, TC, TD may be reduced to 16m for drive-through premises.

1.2 Minimum underbody inspection area specifications

Available options


At least one of the following as applicable

Vehicle class

LA, LB, LC, LD

LE, MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2, NA

MD3, MD4, ME, NB, NC, TC, TD

Trolley jack and axle stands

Suitable lifting equipment

WoF only

n/a

Vehicle hoist

n/a

tick

n/a

Inspection pit

Width

n/a

0.8 – 1.0m

0.8 - 1.0m

Depth

n/a

1.3m

1.3m

Length

n/a

4m

Side entry: 10m
End entry: 15m

Other requirements and considerations:

a) The underbody inspection facility must be located and centrally aligned within the inspection area.

b) The pit length is measured at the base of the pit and does not include any steps that may be located at the ends.

c) There must be sufficient and suitable lighting provided for the underbody inspection. Refer to sections 7.2.2 and 7.2.5 for more details.

1.3 Equipment
Equipment Vehicle class
LA, LB LC, LD LE, MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2, NA MD3, MD4, ME, NB, NC, TC, TD
Lamps
  • Graduated light board (moped and motorcycles only), or
  • Commercial quality optical headlamp beamsetter

tick

tick

tick

tick

Vision
Calibrated electronic light transmission measuring device (This must be a lightmeter; an NZTA tint sample is not acceptable for entry-level inspection)   ticktick
Brakes
Access to level test strip (motorcycles only) tickticktick 

Approved brake machine

  ticktick

Calibrated equipment to measure disc runout

 ticktick 

Calibrated brake drum measuring device

 ticktick 

Calibrated brake disc measuring device

 ticktick 

Suitable container or equipment for sampling and checking brake fluid

 ticktick 

Air gauge (minimum 1000kPa)

   tick

Fittings that enable the air gauge to be attached to a duomatic coupling

   tick

Stop watch

   tick

Seats and seatbelt anchorages

1m straight edge

n/a n/a PSV entry only  

Spirit level

n/a n/a  

Plumb bob

n/a n/a  

Calibrated torque wrench (see Reference material 74)

n/a n/a tick 
Running gear

a) Two-post vehicle hoist (with sufficient capacity)

Suitable lifting equipment Suitable lifting equipment any one of
a, or b
c
b) Four-post vehicle hoist with built-in jacking mechanism (with sufficient capacity)

c) Inspection pit and industrial quality trolley jack

Industrial quality hand-held inspection lamp (minimum 750 lux)

ticktickticktick

Leverage bar (steel or similar strength material) for steering and suspension

  ticktick

Leverage bar (steel or similar strength material) for ball-race turntables

   tick

Graduated tyre tread depth gauge

 tickticktick

Vehicle dimensions

3m measuring tape

tickticktick 

25m measuring tape

   tick

Tow connections

40mm tow pin wear indicator gauge

   tick

50mm tow pin wear indicator gauge

   tick

40mm tow eye wear indicator gauge

   tick

50mm tow eye wear indicator gauge

   tick

Taxi meters

Test strip, or calibrated rolling road

  tick 

Meter seal kit

  tick 

Stop watch

  tick 
VIN

VIN embossing machine

ticktickticktick

Glass etching equipment

n/a n/a ticktick

Rivet gun

ticktickticktick

An instrument for analysing exhaust emissions as prescribed in Introduction 8 (1.6) below

n/a n/a ticktick

Lighting

Right side (centre of vehicle)

 

500 lux

500 lux

500 lux

Left side (centre of vehicle)

 

500 lux

500 lux

500 lux

Front (centre of vehicle)

 

500 lux

500 lux

500 lux

Rear (centre of vehicle)

 

500 lux

500 lux

500 lux

Underbody  

400 lux

400 lux

400 lux

Lighting during inspection, underbody, interior, engine and boot

 

750 lux

750 lux

750 lux

All measuring equipment used as part of the entry inspection and certification process must be calibrated at least once every 12 months. This must be recorded in the PRS Equipment record.

1.4 Compliance with statutory requirements

It is the inspecting organisation’s responsibility to ensure that the inspection premises and equipment comply with:

  • occupational safety and health requirements, and
  • any other relevant acts, regulations and local bylaws.
1.5 Approved brake testing equipment

Only the brake testing equipment in the VIRM: In-service certification sections 5.5 to 5.7 (as applicable) is approved for entry inspection of brake performance.

1.6 Approved vehicle exhaust emissions testing equipment

The equipment used to measure the exhaust emissions of petrol, LPG or CNG vehicles must:

1. be capable of testing carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions; and

2. comply with:

a) BAR-97 Emissions Inspection System Specifications, or

b) OIML R99/ISO 3930 Instruments for measuring vehicle exhaust emissions, Class 1 Standards, or

c) Japan Safety Regulations for Road Vehicles, Technical Standard – Machinery Equipment for Vehicle Inspection as specified by the Minister for Transport in Announcement No. 375 of 14 June 1995.

For diesel vehicles tested using filter paper equipment, the equipment prescribed in Japanese Industrial Standard JIS D 8004, Reflection Type Smokemeters for Automobile Diesel Engines, must be used for analysing exhaust emissions.

For diesel vehicles tested using an opacimeter, the equipment prescribed in International Standard ISO 11614:1999, Reciprocating internal combustion compression ignition engines – Apparatus for measurement of the opacity and determination of the light absorption coefficient of exhaust gas, must be used for analysing exhaust emissions.

The equipment used in testing must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions.

The emission testing equipment must be thoroughly checked, maintained and calibrated in accordance with the respective manufacturer’s directions.

1.7 Other requirements and considerations

Computer systems must be available on site when the site is open for certification. The computer equipment, VIN equipment and document storage must be located and operated from a location where the public does not have access when staff are not present. All data entry must be carried out by staff. When not in use by staff, the NZTA computer system must not be accessible to any other person.

Where premises or equipment are not owned by the inspecting organisation, the times when the premises and equipment are leased for entry certification use must be specified in the contract with the leaseholder.

Inspection area lighting should conform to New Zealand standard code of practice for interior lighting design (NZS 6703:1984), or subsequent amendments. The code of practice establishes performance requirements for specific workplace lighting.

Ambient lighting (ie not hand-held spotlights) of 500 lux (initial) is required at the middle of the vehicle at all four sides and 400 lux (initial) at the centre of the underbody. Lighting must be a minimum of 750 lux during the underbody, interior, engine and boot inspections of the vehicle. Hand-held lighting can be used to provide the required lighting level. Any requirements for hand-held lighting must be noted on the site plan. In these cases, vehicle inspectors must use hand-held lighting during inspections.

The site plan submitted with an application must identify areas where structural inspections will be carried out.

Vehicle inspectors

Applications for appointment must be sponsored by an employing inspecting organisation.

Page updated 1 February 2023 (see details)

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