Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation

If a heavy motor vehicle has air brakes, the vehicle’s braking system must include at least 1 air storage tank.

If a heavy motor vehicle has vacuum brakes, the vehicle’s braking system must include at least 1 vacuum storage tank.

An air storage tank or vacuum storage tank in a heavy motor vehicle’s braking system must be built so the vehicle’s service brake can be applied to meet the performance standards of section 87 at least twice if the vehicle’s engine stops or the source of air or vacuum fails.

An air storage tank or vacuum storage tank in a heavy motor vehicle’s braking system must—

be built to give an audible or visible warning to the vehicle’s driver, while in the normal driving position, of a lack of air or vacuum that would prevent the vehicle’s service brake from being applied to meet the performance standards of section 87 at least twice; and

be safeguarded by a check valve or other device against loss of air or vacuum if the supply of air or vacuum fails or leaks.

If air or vacuum brakes are fitted to a heavy motor vehicle equipped to tow a trailer, the vehicle’s brakes must be able to stop the vehicle, at the performance standards for emergency brakes under section 87 if the trailer breaks away.

The braking system of a heavy motor vehicle equipped to tow a trailer fitted with air brakes must include protection against loss of air in the system.

The protection mentioned in subsection (6) must, if an air supply hose connecting the heavy motor vehicle and a trailer fails—

operate automatically; and

maintain enough air pressure to allow the brakes to be applied to meet performance standards for emergency brakes under section 87; and

include an audible or visible warning to the vehicle’s driver in the normal driving position of a lack of air that would prevent the vehicle’s service brake from being applied.