§ 15-02 Side Guard Requirements.
RCNY § 15-02
(a)General Requirements. Unless prohibited by Federal, State, or City law, or an exemption has been issued pursuant to 55 RCNY § 15-04, all Large Vehicles in the City Fleet must be equipped with Side Guards by the Effective Date and all City Contracted Vehicles performing work under a Contract are required to be equipped with Side Guards by the Effective Date or in compliance with the Phase-In Period set forth in 55 RCNY § 15-03(b).
(b)Satisfaction of Side Guard Requirements. The requirements for Side Guards will be considered satisfied if one or more of the following three situations is present: (1) The Large Vehicle is equipped with Side Guards that allow for a maximum 13.8 inch ground clearance, a maximum 13.8 inch top clearance up to four feet in height, and a minimum 440 pound impact strength that achieves a smooth and continuous longitudinal (forward to backward) impact surface flush with the vehicle sidewall, known as the "NYC Volpe Side Guard Standard".
(i)Side Guards may include rail style guards, provided that such rails are no less than four inches tall and no more than 11.8 inches apart.
(ii)Side Guards may incorporate other vehicle features such as toolboxes and ladders, or the function of a Side Guard may be performed by those features, subject to the approval of DCAS.
(2)The Large Vehicle cannot maintain a Side Guard due to the design or operations of the vehicle, subject to the Contractor's application to DCAS for, and the grant of, an exemption from these rules.
(3)The Large Vehicle is designed or equipped on each side of the unit such that, by virtue of its shape and characteristics, its component parts can be regarded as replacing or functioning as Side Guards in accordance with the Volpe Side Guard Standard, or will perform the function of Side Guards with modifications separate from installation of Volpe Standard sideguards, subject to the approval of DCAS.
(c)In the case that mandated Federal standards are established for truck Side Guards, DCAS will assess any Federal specification guidelines and issue revised rules relating to the New York City specification(s), if required. (Added City Record 10/7/2022, eff. 11/6/2022)
