South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 38 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Article 5 - STATE TRANSPORT POLICE REGULATIONS
Subarticle 1 - UNMANUFACTURED FOREST PRODUCTS TRUCKING REGULATIONS
Part 38-393 - PARTS AND ACCESSORIES NECESSARY FOR SAFE OPERATION
Subpart C - BRAKES
Section 38-393.51 - Warning devices and gauges

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 38-393.51

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

(a) General. In the manner and to the extent specified in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e), a truck, or truck tractor must be equipped with a signal that provides a warning to the driver when a failure occurs in the vehicle's service brake system.

(b) Hydraulic brakes. A vehicle manufactured on or after July 1, 1973, and having service brakes activated by hydraulic fluid must be equipped with a warning signal that performs as follows:

(1) If Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 105 (Section 571.105) was applicable to the vehicle at the time it was manufactured, the warning signal must conform to the requirements of that standard.

(2) If Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 105 (Section 571.105) was not applicable to the vehicle at the time it was manufactured, the warning signal must become operative, before or upon application of the brakes in the event of a hydraulic type complete failure of a partial system. The signal must be readily audible or visible to the driver.

(c) Air brakes. A vehicle (regardless of the date it was manufactured) having service brakes activated by compressed air (air mechanical brakes) or a vehicle towing a vehicle having service brakes activated by compressed air (air mechanical brakes) must be equipped, and perform, as follows:

(1) The vehicle must have a low air pressure warning device that conforms to the requirements of either paragraph (c)(1) (i) or (ii).
(i) If Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121 (Section 571.121) was applicable to the vehicle at the time it was manufactured, the warning device must conform to the requirements of that standard.

(ii) If Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121 (Section 571.121) was not applicable to the vehicle at the time it was manufactured, the vehicle must have a device that provides a readily audible or visible continuous warning to the driver whenever the pressure of the compressed air in the braking system is below a specified pressure, which must be at least one half of the compressor governor cutout pressure.

(2) The vehicle must have a pressure gauge which indicates to the driver the pressure in pounds per square inch available for braking.

(d) Vacuum brakes. A vehicle (regardless of the date it was manufactured) having service brakes activated by vacuum or a vehicle towing a vehicle having service brakes activated by vacuum must be equipped with

(1) A device that provides a readily audible or visible continuous warning to the driver whenever the vacuum in the vehicle's supply reservoir is less than 8 inches of mercury; and

(2) A vacuum gauge which indicates to the driver the vacuum in inches of mercury available for braking.

(e) Hydraulic brakes applied or assisted by air or vacuum. A vehicle having a braking system in which hydraulically activated service brakes are applied or assisted by compressed air or vacuum must be equipped with both a warning signal that conforms to the requirements of paragraph (b) and a warning device that conforms to the requirements of either paragraph (c) or paragraph (d).

(f) Maintenance. The warning signals, devices, and gauges required by 38-393 must be maintained in operative condition.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. South Carolina may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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