Fleet ID have broken these changes down to make them easier for all of our clients and potential new clients to understand moving forward.
The new guidance relates to fleets operating and stopping on roads with speed limits over 40MPH, as outlined in Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual. The reflectivity of the red now needs to be a minimum of R3B compliant or higher to meet the new standard and to ensure a higher grade of safety is achieved.
If you have a fleet that requires rear chevron markings then this guidance applies to you.
R3B compliant rear conspicuity markings are strongly recommended in order to meet guidance.
R3B compliant rear conspicuity markings are now a legal requirement.
Even if your fleet legally does not require rear chevron Chapter 8 markings, your business may still want to ensure you meet code of practice. We highly recommend that you also move to the minimum of R3B compliant red reflective materials.
The rear chevron kits that you have had in the past may have been manufactured from RA1 and RA2 level reflective materials. These no longer meet the required level of reflectivity – and therefore road safety – for vehicle marking usage on high speed roads (speed limits over 40MPH).
The visible difference between the 3 standards of reflectiveness is quite significant, from the lowest level of RA1 to the new minimum requirement of R3B or higher. In efforts to keep as many people as safe as possible on the roads, the requirement for rear chevron markings has shifted to meet the minimum level of R3B or higher.
R3B standard materials or higher are proven to have the reflective properties to ensure the vehicle will be more visible in all weather conditions. This reduces accidents on the roads – protecting fleet staff and other road users.
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER
If you are considering purchasing kits from any source that do not state R3B compliant OR state the exact material they are being manufactured from, the likelihood is that they are not and in turn would not meet the new Chapter 8 requirement.
RA1 materials are promotional grade reflective vinyls which are used for items such as number plates. This is the lowest level of reflective material for these kinds of uses.
These retro-reflective vinyls are predominantly used in high risk areas, such as road works They are used for traffic signage.
R3B level materials are now specified for use in locations where high performance materials are required. This includes the rear areas of all vehicles working and stopping on highways.
Image courtesy of 3M
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER
It has been known that if you turn up on works sites with the incorrect markings that entry onto site may be refused. Ensure that you have the correct R3B compliant markings before arriving on site!
At Fleet ID we will now be stating on each product (compliant R3B) on every material that meets or exceeds the certification for that standard. We will also make clear which materials do not meet R3B standard for works vehicles. We feel that this is really important for our customers – there will be no confusion as to which materials meet the R3B requirement. This will replace our current distinction using the ‘above 40mph’ and ‘below 40mph’ labels.
We have made the decision to continue to manufacture Chapter 8 kits from non R3B compliant materials in order to fulfil the need of non highways fleets who still want to have some form of reflective safety markings on their vehicles. However, our first recommendation would always be to use R3B or higher compliant Chapter 8 materials. This ensures that your fleet would be covered under any possible scenario.
The new change to Chapter 8 requirements need not limit your choice when ordering from Fleet ID – there’s a solution for every usage and every budget. All of the products below are certified R3B compliant materials or self certified to standard…
Vehicle Rear Markings |
Vehicle Side Markings
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3M Diamond Grade Microprismatic Red (4092) R3B With 3M Saturn Fluorescent Yellow Non-Reflective |
3M Diamond Grade Microprismatic Yellow (4091) or 3M Diamond Grade Microprismatic Fluorescent Yellow Green (4083) |
| Vehicle Rear Markings | Vehicle Side Markings | |
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Nikkalite Crystal Grade Microprismatic CVF Red (92805) R3B with Hi-Scal Fluorescent Yellow Non-Reflective |
Nikkalite Crystal Grade Microprismatic CVF Yellow (92804) or Nikkalite Crystal Grade Microprismatic CVF Fluorescent Yellow Green (92844) |
| Vehicle Rear Markings | Vehicle Side Markings | |
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Oralite 6900 Brilliant Grade Microprismatic Red (030) R3B with 7510/7510 RA/7710RA Fluorescent Yellow Non Reflective Standard or Rapid Air |
Oralite 6900 Brilliant Grade Microprismatic Fluorescent Yellow Green (029) |
| Oralite VC612 Flexibright Metallised Red (012) R3B with 7510/7510 RA/7710RA Fluorescent Yellow Non Reflective Standard or Rapid Air |
Oralite VC612 Flexibright Metallised Lime (112) or Oralite VC612 Flexibright Metallised Yellow (018) | |
| Oralite VC170 Universal Metallised Red (012) R3B with 7510/7510 RA/7710RA Fluorescent Yellow Non Reflective Standard or Rapid Air |
Oralite VC170 Universal Metallised Yellow (065) | |
| Oralite VC412RA Ecoflex Metallised Red (012) R3B with 7510/7510 RA/7710RA Fluorescent Yellow Non Reflective Standard or Rapid Air |
Oralite VC412RA Ecoflex Metallised Lime (112) or Oralite VC412RA Ecoflex Metallised Yellow (018) |
| Vehicle Rear Markings | Vehicle Side Markings | |
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Avery V6700 Metallised Red (6722) R3B with any of the above stated Fluorescent Films | Avery V6700 Metallised Yellow (6701) |
| Vehicle Rear Markings | Vehicle Side Markings | |
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Aura 191 Metallised Red (0191T-02) R3B With Aura 139 Fluorescent Yellow Non Reflective |
Aura 191 Metallised Yellow (0191-01) |
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER
Ask your Chapter 8 kit supplier whether their kits are R3B compliant, if they do not state what materials the kits are manufactured from.
To meet the minimum required 50mm conspicuity vehicle side marking, roll format vehicle conspicuity tapes can be used. The following vehicle conspicuity tapes from 3M, Orafol and Avery can all be used as part of your Chapter 8 safety vehicle markings.
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| 3M 983-23 fluo yellow green (emergency fleet) |
3M 983-71 yellow |
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Avery V6700B yellow |
Orafol VC104 yellow |
Aura 144 yellow |
If your rear chevron kit needs to be R3B compliant (i.e. suitable for Highways use) please choose 3M Diamond Grade Microprismatic Red (4092), Nikkalite Crystal Grade Microprismatic CVF Red (92805) R3B, Aura 191 Metallised Red (0191T 02) or Orafol 6900 Brilliant Grade Microprismatic Red (030).
Either Nikkalite FEG or Oralite 5200 Rapid Air rear chevron kits are suitable for this usage, as they provide extra visibility, but do not comply with R3B guidance.
Although R3B compliancy is not a legal requirement at the moment in England, we would always recommend choosing R3B compliant materials for Chapter 8 kits intended for Highways use. This will safeguard your fleet to the higher standard and future proof your vehicles too.
If your fleet operates in Scotland and Wales, R3B compliant Chapter 8 kits and markings are legally required for Highways use.
Every online order placed with Fleet ID for Chapter 8 kits shows the make and model of vehicles as well as expressly stating whether the material ordered is R3B compliant or non-compliant. You could carry this paperwork or place it inside the vehicle as proof of compliancy if required.
When placing your order with us online, you’ll first be asked to select R3B compliant or R3B non-compliant from a drop-down list. Depending on your selection, only the materials that meet this criteria will be made available to you.
Your email order confirmation will also state R3B compliant or non-compliant.
