AUTOGAS (INSTALLATION AND CERTIFICATION) REGULATIONS

AUTOGAS (INSTALLATION AND CERTIFICATION)

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 545.26

AUTOGAS (INSTALLATION AND CERTIFICATION)

REGULATIONS

13th August, 2010

LEGAL NOTICE 393 of 2010, as amended by Act XXV of 2015.

(1) The title of these regulations

is

the Autogas

(Installation and Certification) Regulations.

(2) The scope of these regulations is to regulate the installation

and certification of autogas equipment and autogas retrofit

systems.

(3) These regulations have been notified in terms of Directive

98/34/EC, as amended by Directive 98/48/EC, as transposed by the

Notification Procedure Regulations.

Amended by

XXV. 2015.41.

Regulation 6(5)

Technical Specifications

The manual shall contain at least the following information

(a) description of the system;

(b) a list of components and their alternatives of the LPG system containing

their identification number, their manufacturer code and a type approval

number, if applicable;

(c) detailed drawings or photographs indicating the exact position of each

component of the LPG system including the fuel tank;

(d) assembly instructions for the components;

(e) a wiring diagram of the electrical system indicating the connections to

components;

(f) limits imposed by ambient influences, e.g. fuel mix;

(g) instructions for the start-up operations which shall be performed by the

installer;

(h) a description of the diagnostic system, if fitted, including the corrective

actions to be taken in case of malfunctioning.

Safety Instructions

The manual should give

(a) instructions for safe use of the system;

(b) a warning of possible dangers due to misuse or when the manual or

procedures are not observed;

(c) actions to be taken when the user detects a gas smell or gas leakage;

(d) any adverse effects due to temperature or humidity e.g. if there is a risk

of starting problems due to vaporisation in liquid feed pipes when the

vehicle is parked during hot weather;

(e) any statutory restrictions on the use of the vehicle e.g. parking,

maintenance, re-qualification;

(f) detailed procedure and actions taken by the installer to check that the

system has been properly assembled and installed.

LPG System Description

A3.1 Filling of the LPG system

The manual should indicate the sequence of operations needed to fill the LPG

Particular attention should be paid to the maximum filling level of 80% of the

total volume of the tank installed in the vehicle.

The manual should indicate that in case of a malfunction of the automatic 80%

filling system the user should stop filling manually and manually fill the tank up to

the 80% value that can be indicated by the LPG system installer when the total tank

volume is known.

A.3.2 Switchover Procedure

AUTOGAS (INSTALLATION AND CERTIFICATION)

The manual should clearly describe the method of switching over from one fuel to

the other by giving the sequence of operations.

A.3.3 Opening/Closing of manual valves

The manual should indicate the proper procedure to operate any manual valves.

This is particularly important when maintenance of the LPG system has to take

place.

A.3.4 Level Indicator

The manual should state the location of the level indicator, for example at the

dashboard or at the tank. The read-out should be explained, giving particular

attention to the 80% filling level.

A.3.5 First Use and adjustment of LPG system

The manual is to include all necessary information about running in and

adjustments of the system along with any recommended inspection, requalification

or replacement dates for LPG tanks, hoses or components.

A.4

Maintenance

If maintenance, for example draining of vaporisers, is required, the manual should

state the frequency and type of maintenance to be carried out. The manual should

indicate who is recommended to carry out such work.

Guidance should be given that vehicles should not be put through a low bake

repainting oven or similar heating process unless the temperature is controlled to

less than 40°C.

A.5

Defects and Repair

The manual should indicate what to do in the case of a defect and of repair of

faulty components in the LPG system.

When the LPG system is equipped with a diagnosis system the manual should

describe this system and indicate what actions need to be taken.

A.6

Scrapping

The manual should indicate that

•

LPG fuel tanks should be removed from a vehicle before the vehicle is

sent to be scrapped;

•

Tanks should be handled with care and stored in accordance with codes

of practice approved by the Regulator;

•

Tanks which are to be scrapped should be destroyed in accordance with

the direction provided by the Regulator, or under the supervision of a

competent person and in a manner rendering them unserviceable for

holding gas.

(1) Any reference in these regulations to the "Act" unless

the context otherwise requires, is a reference to the Regulator for

Energy and Water Services Act, and subject to the provisions of

subregulation (2), the definitions in article 2 of the said Act shall

apply to these regulations.

(2)

In these regulations unless the context otherwise requires

"the Act" means the Regulator for Energy and Water Services

Act;

"autogas" means LPG with specifications according to MSA EN

589 used for the propulsion of motor vehicles;

"autogas equipment" means equipment used for the retrofitting

of a motor vehicle for the use of LPG in its propulsion system

approved according to UN ECE 67;

"autogas retrofit systems" means a system used to retrofit a

motor vehicle for the use of LPG in its propulsion system approved

according to UN ECE 115;

"certificate of retrofitting" means the certificate issued by a

competent person after the carrying out of the retrofitting of a

motor vehicle for the use of LPG in its propulsion system;

"competent person" means a person approved by the Regulator

possessing adequate level 4 (or higher) qualification in a related

engineering subject according to the Malta Qualifications

Framework; and suitable training and sufficient knowledge,

experience and skill in gas technology, to carry out: work,

supervision and certification related to autogas including

retrofitting.

"motor vehicle" shall have the same meaning as it has under the

Motor Vehicles Regulations;

"the Regulator" means the Regulator for Energy and Water

Services

AUTOGAS (INSTALLATION AND CERTIFICATION)

"retrofitting" means the installation and, or fitting to a motor

vehicle of autogas equipment or of an autogas retrofit system;

"suitable training" means the standard of qualifications and

practical experience possessed by a competent person to carry out

work related to autogas as specified in the relevant certification;

"UN ECE 67" means the agreement concerning the adoption of

uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles, equipment

and parts which can be fitted, or used on wheeled vehicles and the

conditions for reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the

basis of these prescriptions;

"UN/ECE 115" means the Agreement concerning the adoption of

uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles, equipment

and parts which can be fitted or used on wheeled vehicles and the

conditions for reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the

basis of these prescriptions.

Regulation 4(7)(b)

Application fee payable in respect of an application for

The applicable fee for an applicant to become a competent person is €35

These regulations shall apply to motor vehicles using

autogas totally or partially as a means of propulsion and they shall

regulate the installation and certification of autogas equipment and

retrofit systems on motor vehicles.

(1) No person, other than a competent person, may carry

out supervision or certification in relation to autogas equipment or

an autogas retrofit system.

(2) No person may carry out any work in relation to an autogas

installation unless such person is a competent person, or he acts

under the continuous supervision of a competent person.

(3) No person shall pretend, purport or give the impression of

being in possession of any approval granted in terms of these

regulations without actually possessing such approval.

(4) Any person who wishes to be designated as a competent

person shall submit to the Regulator an application, together with

all documentation, as required by the Regulator.

(5) After reviewing the documents submitted and having

obtained the necessary approvals from the Malta Qualification

Recognition Information Council, the Regulator shall issue a

certification of competence to the person submitting the

application. The certificate shall be valid for a period not exceeding

five years.

(6) The Regulator shall assign to each competent person a

registration number.

(7)

The Regulator may decide to refuse an application if

(a) the application does not contain all such information

and documentation required by the Regulator in the

application form or any other additional information or

documentation that the Regulator may request from

the applicant for the purpose of determining the

application; or

(b) the application is not accompanied by such application

fee as specified in accordance with the Second

AUTOGAS (INSTALLATION AND CERTIFICATION)

Schedule.

(8) Any person designated by the Regulator as a competent

person shall

(a) comply with any direction given by the Regulator;

(b) execute the regulated operations, activities and

practices in accordance with any

(i) direction of the Regulator;

(ii) decision of the Regulator; or

(iii) code of practice or guideline recognized or

issued by the Regulator; and

(c) act in accordance and as required by any

(i) direction of the Regulator;

(ii) decision of the Regulator; or

(iii) code of practice or guideline recognized or

issued by the Regulator.

(1) No autogas equipment or autogas retrofit system shall

be installed on a motor vehicle, unless it

(a) complies with the requirements of UNECE 67 or

UNECE 115;

(b) has been type-approved by an authorised type approval

authority in accordance with Directive 2007/46/EC

and its amendments;

(c) is safe to be installed in such a motor vehicle; and

(d) is suitable for use for such a motor vehicle.

(2) Where the use of autogas equipment which is not supplied

with the autogas retrofit system is required, the instructions of the

manufacturer of the autogas equipment shall be observed.

(3) The competent person who installs the autogas equipment

or retrofit system on motor vehicles shall

(a) follow good engineering practice during the

installation of the autogas equipment, or the autogas

retrofit system in accordance with any applicable

codes of practice, standards or guidelines recognised

or issued by the Regulator;

(b) follow the instructions as supplied by the

manufacturer;

(c) use the components of any autogas retrofit system for

not more than one motor vehicle;

(d) ensure that records are kept which ensure traceability

of the autogas equipment, or the autogas retrofit

system and its installation. The records shall include

the information as determined by the Regulator as

being required to be kept and they shall be kept for a

period of at least ten years from the date of

installation; and

(e) carry out checks, after retrofitting, to ensure that,

AUTOGAS (INSTALLATION AND CERTIFICATION)

within the limits of the measuring method, emissions

on the original fuel have not deteriorated and that

emissions on LPG are less than those on the original

fuel.

(1) The competent person responsible for the carrying out

of the retrofitting of a motor vehicle for the use of LPG in its

propulsion system shall, upon the satisfactory completion of such

retrofitting, issue a signed certificate of retrofitting.

(2) The competent person shall ensure that a certificate of

retrofitting contains the following information

(a) the name, address and registration number of the

competent person;

(b) the name, address and licence number of the garage

where the conversion to autogas of the motor vehicle

was carried out;

(c) the engine number of the engine of the motor vehicle;

(d) the registration number of the motor vehicle;

(e) the type, model, serial number and manufacturer of the

autogas retrofit systems or the autogas equipment; and

(f) the date of installation.

(3) The certificate of retrofitting shall also include the

following statement

"This is to certify that the LPG system of the above

motor vehicle has been installed, examined and tested

in accordance with the MRA Codes of Practice and

found to be satisfactory.".

(4) Each specific certificate of retrofitting shall carry a specific

identification number as the competent person is directed by the

Regulator.

(5) The competent person is to provide the motor vehicle

owner with a Drivers Operation Manual, such manual shall include

the information prescribed in the First Schedule and it may also

include the certificate of retrofitting, together with a

recommendation that this is carried in the motor vehicle at all times

for examination by authorised enforcement agencies.

(6) The competent person shall issue identification marks as

specified in Annex 16 of UN ECE 67 together with the certificate

of retrofitting as directed by the Regulator.

(7) Notwithstanding, and without prejudice to any criminal or

other administrative action which may be initiated under any other

law, a competent person acting in breach of any of these regulations

may be disqualified by the Regulator from acting as a competent

person for a period of five years.

(1) The employer of any person carrying out any work in

relation to an autogas equipment or autogas retrofit system at any

place of work or premises under the control of the said employer,

or who is in charge of the work being carried out in any place of

AUTOGAS (INSTALLATION AND CERTIFICATION)

work or premises, shall ensure that

(a) the work does not endanger any persons working

therein or any third parties; and

(b) a competent person is carrying out or supervising work

related to autogas equipment or to an autogas retrofit

system.

(2) The employer of any person carrying out any work in

relation to autogas equipment or to an autogas retrofit system shall

e n s u r e t h a t d u r i n g t h e c o u r s e o f t h a t p e r s o n ’s w o r k , t h e

requirements imposed by these regulations or by the Regulator on

such a person are being complied with.

The owner of a motor vehicle which has been retrofitted

shall ensure that the certificate of retrofitting is present in the

motor vehicle at all times.

A person who acts in contravention of any of these

regulations shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine (multa) of not

less than two hundred fifty euro (€250) and not exceeding ten

thousand euro (€10,000).

AUTOGAS (INSTALLATION AND CERTIFICATION)