Bowmonk’s portable brake testing solution
Equipment provider Bowmonk has outlined some of the benefits of using portable decelerometers to measure brake performance, and recent developments in its offering.
“The concept of brake testing using a portable decelerometer has been in existence since the 1920s,” said the company.
“Specifically, in 1928, what we now recognise as the iconic ‘Tapley meter’ was used by the Detroit Police Department to determine the number of feet required to stop a moving vehicle. If the braking distance was within the required limit, the police officer issued the driver with a pass certificate, which would be dated and displayed in the vehicle’s windscreen, much like the old car tax disc.
“Until the introduction of the roller brake tester (RBT), the Tapley meter was the only means of testing a vehicle’s brakes. Indeed, the mechanical Tapley meter is still widely used today for this method of testing, whereupon the test result would be handwritten and presented to the customer, with a copy for the test station.
“However, in today’s world, more information is required in addition to stopping distance. Bowmonk’s BrakeCheck will also deliver test speed, braking efficiency, and braking imbalance.”
The firm continued: “Duty of care means accountability now plays a large part, proving a meaningful test has been performed. To confirm this, a comprehensive date and time-stamped brake test report can be generated using the infrared printer.
“More recently, Bowmonk has been working very closely with the DVSA, to produce a ‘connected’ brake tester, meaning the BrakeCheck unit can be remotely connected, affording wireless communication with the test station’s MOT computer, removing the potential element of human error when transferring test data.
“Bowmonk’s BrakeCheck is now used in over 20,000 MOT test stations nationwide as a means of testing those vehicles where a roller brake tester is not appropriate. Outside of these vehicle types, BrakeCheck is also used by countless commercial vehicle workshops across the UK, Ireland and globally for testing the brakes on HGVs, coaches, and buses.”
The company highlights the expectation in recent years for brake tests to be conducted at least four times a year.
“Initially, this was met with some concern, as it was first thought that another three visits to an ATF (authorised testing facility) was necessary, at a potential cost of £15-£20 per axle. However, the DVSA decided to allow ‘in-house’ brake tests to be carried out during a scheduled safety inspection.”
There is still a general misconception that outside of the MOT, these brake tests and tests performed as part of a safety inspection must be performed on an RBT, says Bowmonk.
“The DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness states that a laden decelerometer test can be used for this purpose. To complement this option, the BrakeCheck kit is also available with a Laser temperature gun, used to detect the amount of heat emitting from the wheel hub so as to highlight any individual binding brake issues.”
Bowmonk also now offers a comprehensive training session for the BrakeCheck kit, it says, demonstrating the correct use of the kit and ensuring all attendees are competent.
“Ultimately, all attendees are awarded a ‘Certificate of Competence’ on completion of the session. This is accepted and recommended by the DVSA.”
Coach operators National Express, Go Ahead, Enterprise Flex-E-Rent, and construction companies Aggregate Industries and East Anglian Water, are among those who have subscribed to this facility, says Bowmonk.
“To complement the functionality of the BrakeCheck kit, there is also an option available to download the results to a PC. This is ideal if the data has to be internally transported.”
