1970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 1
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►B COUNCILDIRECTIVE
of27July1970
ontheapproximationofthelawsoftheMemberStatesrelatingtothedoorsofmotorvehiclesand
theirtrailers
(70/387/EEC)
(OJ L 176, 10.8.1970, p. 5)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1Commission Directive 98/90/EC of 30 November 1998 L 337 29 12.12.1998
Amended by:
►A1Act of Accession of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern IrelandL 73 14 27.3.1972
Corrected by:
►C1RECTIF, p. 76 (70/387/EEC)
▼B
COUNCILDIRECTIVE
of27July1970
on the approximationof the lawsofthe Member States relating to
thedoorsofmotorvehiclesandtheirtrailers
(70/387/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic
Community, and in particular Article 100 thereof;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission;
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament;Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committe;Whereas the technical requirements which motor vehicles must satisfy
pursuant to national laws relate, inter alia , to their doors;
Whereas those requirements differ from one Member State to another;
whereas it is therefore necessary that all Member States adopt the samerequirements either in addition to or in place of their existing rules, in
order, in particular, to allow the EEC type approval procedure which
was the subject of the Council Directive(
1) of 6 February 1970 on the
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the typeapproval of motor vehicles and their trailers to be applied in respectof eachtype of veh icle;
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
For the purposes of this Directive ‘vehicle’ means any motor vehicle
intended for use on the road, having at least four wheels and amaximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h, and its trailers, with theexception of public transport vehicles, vehicles which run on rails,
►
M1agricultural and forestry tractors ◄and►M1all mobile
machinery ◄.
Article 2
No Member State may refuse to grant EEC type approval or national
type approval of a vehicle on grounds relating to its doors if these
satisfy the requirements set out in the Annexes.
Article 2a
No Member State may refuse or prohibit the sale or registration, entry
into service or use of a vehicle on grounds relating to its doors if these
satisfy the requirements set out in the Annexes.
Article 3
The amendments necessary for adjusting the requirements of the Annex
so as to take account of technical progress shall be adopted in accor-
dance with the procedure laid down in Article 13 of the CouncilDirective of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of theMember States relating to the type approval of motor vehicles and theirtrailers.1970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 2
(1) OJ No L 42, 23.2.1970, p. 1.▼C1
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Article 4
1. Member States shall put into force the provisions containing the
requirements needed in order to comply with this Directive within
eighteen months of its notification and shall inform the Commission
forthwith.
2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of
the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the fieldcovered by this Directive.
Article 5
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.1970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 3
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LIST OF ANNEXES
1.ANNEX I: Scope, definitions, general requirements, application
for EC type-approval, granting of EC type-approval,
modifications of the type and amendments to
approvals, conformity of production
Appendix 1: Information document
Appendix 2: Type-approval certificate
2.ANNEX II: Construction and fitting requirements and strength
tests
3.ANNEX III: Requirements concerning access to and exit from
doors of driver's compartment1970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 4
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ANNEX I
SCOPE, DEFINITIONS, GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, APPLICATION
FOR EC TYPE-APPROVAL, GRANTING OF EC TYPE-APPROVAL,
MODIFICATIONS OF THE TYPE AND AMENDMENTS TO
APPROVALS,CONFORMITYOFPRODUCTION
1. SCOPE
1.1. This Directive applies to the doors of motor vehicles of categories M1and N(1).
2. DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this Directive:
2.1. ‘approval of a vehicle’, means the approval of a vehicle type with
regard to its doors and to the characteristics applicable to such doors;
2.2. ‘vehicle type’, means vehicles which do not differ essentially with
respect to the following main characteristics:
— design and strength characteristics of the latches and hinges as
regards the vehicles mentioned in Annex II,
— construction and fitting requirements of the running boards and
steps as regards vehicles not covered by Annex III,
— position and geometrical characteristics of the access steps and the
handholds as regards vehicles mentioned in Annex III,
in so far as these characteristics have a bearing on the requirements of
this Directive.
3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
3.1. Design
3.1.1. The design characteristics of the vehicle must permit entry to and exit
from it in perfect safety.
3.1.2. Vehicles of category N2witha maximum mass exceeding 7,5 tonnes
and N3are deemed to satisfy the abovementioned requirements if they
comply withth e prescriptions of Annex III.
3.2. Doors, entries and exits
3.2.1. Doors, entries and exits must be such that they can be used easily and
without danger.
3.3. Doors and latches
3.3.1. Doors and latches must be designed in such a way that any irritating
noise on closing may be avoided.
3.3.2. Door latches must be designed in such a way as to prevent the doors
from opening accidentally.
3.4. Latches and hinges (construction and fitting requirements)
3.4.1. The hinges of hinge-mounted doors (with the exception of folding
doors), when fitted to the sides of the vehicles, must be fixed at the
front edge of the doors in the direction of forward travel. In the case
of double doors, these requirements apply to the door wing which opens
first; it must be possible to bolt the other wing of the door.
3.4.2. The latches and hinges of the side doors of vehicles of category M1must satisfy the requirements set out in Annex II to this Directive.
3.5. Running boards and steps (construction and fitting requirements)
3.5.1. The wheel hub, rims and other parts of the wheel shall not be deemed
to be running boards or steps for the purpose of this Directive, except
where reasons relating to construction or use preclude the fitting of
running boards or steps elsewhere on the vehicle.1970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 5
(1) As defined in Annex IIA to Directive 70/156/EEC.
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3.5.2. In vehicles of categories M1,N1and N2witha maximum mass not
exceeding 7,5 tonnes if the floor entrance to the passenger compartment
of such vehicles is more than 600 mm above the ground, the vehicle
must have one or more running boards or steps.
3.5.2.1. However, for off-road vehicles, as defined in Annex IIA to Directive
70/156/EEC, sucha distance from th e ground may be increased up to
700 mm.
3.5.2.2. The running boards or steps must be constructed in such a way as to
preclude the risk of slipping.
4. APPLICATION FOR EC TYPE-APPROVAL
4.1. The application for EC type-approval of a vehicle type with respect to
the doors shall be submitted by the vehicle manufacturer.
4.2. A model for the information document is given in Appendix 1.
4.3. A vehicle representative of the type to be approved must be submitted
to the technical service responsible for type-approval tests.
5. GRANTING OF EC TYPE-APPROVAL
5.1. If the relevant requirements are satisfied, EC type-approval pursuant to
Article 4(3) of Directive 70/156/EEC shall be granted.
5.2. A model for the EC type-approval certificate is given in Appendix 2.5.3. An approval number in accordance withAnnex VII to Directive 70/156/
EEC shall be assigned to each type of vehicle approved. The same
Member State shall not assign the same number to another type of
vehicle.
6. MODIFICATIONS OF THE TYPE AND AMENDMENTS TO
APPROVALS
6.1. In the case of modifications of the type approved pursuant to this Direc-
tive, the provisions of Article 5 of Directive 70/156/EEC shall apply.
7. CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION
7.1. Measures to ensure the conformity of production shall be taken in
accordance withth e provisions laid down in Article 10 of Directive
70/156/EEC.1970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 6
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Appendix 1
1970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 7
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1970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 8
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Appendix 2
1970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 9
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1970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 10
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ANNEX II
CONSTRUCTION ANDFITTING REQUIREMENTS ANDSTRENGTH
TESTS FOR ►C1 LATCHES ◄AND HINGES ON SIDE DOORS FOR
ENTRYTOOREXITFROM ►M1 VEHICLESOFCATEGORYM1◄
1. GENERAL
1.1 Latches and hinges must be so designed, constructed and fitted that
in normal use, the vehicle satisfies the requirements of this
►M1Annex◄.
1.2 Each latch shall have both an intermediate latched position and a
fully latched position.
2. PARTICULARS AND BATCHES OF LATCHES AND HINGES
TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR HIS
AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVE.
The manufacturer or his authorised representative must submit the
following particulars and batches of latches and hinges:
2.1 Drawings of the doors and of their latches and hinges on an appro-
priate scale and in sufficient detail;
2.2 A technical description of the latches and hinges;
2.3 A batch of five sets of hinges per door. Where, however, the same
sets are used for several doors, it will be sufficient to submit one
batch of sets. Sets of hinges which are distinguishable only because
they are designed to be fitted on the left or on the right shall not be
regarded as different;
2.4 A batch of five complete latches, including actuating mechanism,
per door. Where, however, the same complete latches are used for
several doors, it will be sufficient to submit one batchof such
latches. Latches which are distinguishable only because they are
designed to be fitted on the left or on the right shall not be regarded
as different.
3. CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS3.1Latches
3.1.1 Longitudinal load
The latch and striker assembly shall be able to withstand a longitu-
dinal load of 453 kp (444 daN) in the intermediate latched position
and 1134 kp (1111 daN) in the fully latched position (Figure 2).
3.1.2 Transverse load
The latch and striker assembly must be capable of withstanding a
transverse load of 453 kp (444 daN) in the intermediate latched posi-
tion, and 907 kp (889 daN) in the fully latched position (Figure 3).
3.1.3 Resistance to inertia load
The latch shall not move from the fully latched position when a
longitudinal or transverse inertia load, in bothdirections, of 30 g is
applied to the lock assembly, including its actuating mechanism.
3.2Hinges
3.2.1 Each hinge system shall be capable of supporting the door and with-
standing a longitudinal load of 1134 kp (1111 daN) and a transverse
load of 907 kp (889 daN) in bothdirections.
4. REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTING THE STRENGTH OF DOOR
►
C1LATCHES ◄AND HINGES
Compliance withth e requirements contained in items 3.1 and 3.2
shall be checked in accordance with the following:
4.1Settingup,procedureandequipmentforstatic-loadtests1970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 11
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4.1.1 Setting up
4.1.1.1 Hinges
4.1.1.1.1 The tests shall be conducted with the use of rigid components repro-
ducing the geometric conditions of the mounting on the vehicle of a
fully latched door.
4.1.1.1.2 To this equipment there shall be applied, at the mid-point between
the hinges:
4.1.1.1.2.1 the prescribed longitudinal load, perpendicular to the axis of the
hinge pivots, situated in a plane passing through that axis;
4.1.1.1.2.2 the prescribed transverse load, perpendicular to the plane defined by
the longitudinal load and the axis of the pivots, and situated in a
plane passing through that axis.
4.1.1.1.3 A new set of hinges shall be used for each test.
4.1.1.1.4 Figure 1 gives an illustration of a test assembly.
4.1.1.2 Latches4.1.1.2.1 The tests shall be conducted with the use of rigid components repro-
ducing the mounting on the vehicle of the two latch components, the
latchbody and th e striker.
4.1.1.2.2 The prescribed load shall be applied to this equipment so as not to
cause any stress on the latch. In addition, a transverse static load of
90·7 kp (88·9 daN) shall be applied in such a way that it tends to
move the latch away from its striker in the direction in which the
door opens.
4.1.1.2.3 Figure 2 and 3 give illustrations of a test assembly.4.1.2 Test procedure and equipment
The equipment referred to in items 4.1.1.1 and 4.1.1.2 above shall be
mounted on a tensile testing machine with a minimum capacity of
1500 kp (1470 daN). Loads gradually increasing to the values
prescribed in items 3.1 and 3.2 shall be applied thereto in such a
way that the speed of separation of the retaining devices does not
exceed 5 mm/min.
4.2Procedure for determining the resistance of latches to accelera-
tion
4.2.1 Resistance to opening in bothdirections under a longitudinal and
transverse inertia load of 30 g, applied in bothcases to th e opening
knob in the direction in which it is actuated, shall be determined
dynamically or analytically (Figure 4), disregarding:
4.2.1.1 Frictional forces.4.2.1.2 The components of gravity acceleration which tend to keep the latch
closed.
4.2.2 Latchlocking devices, if any, must not be brough t into play.
4.3Equivalenttestmethods
4.3.1 Equivalent non-destructive test methods are permitted, provided that
the results referred to in items 4.1.2 and 4.2 above can be obtained
either entirely by means of the substitute test or by calculation from
the results of the substitute test. If a method other than thatdescribed in items 4.1.2 and 4.2 above is used, its equivalence must
be demonstrated.1970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 12
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Doorhingesystem—static-loadfixture(transverseload)
FIGURE 11970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 13
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Doorlatch—Testequipmentunderstaticload(longitudinalload
FIGURE 2
Doorlatch—Testequipmentunderstaticload(transverseload)
FIGURE 3 ►C1Door latchassembly ◄1970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 14
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Resistancetotheeffects ofinertia —Exampleofcalculation
FIGURE 4
Given:A door latchsystem subjected to a deceleration of 30 g
F= M
a=
a=
30 g = 30 W
F1=W1× 30 − Average load on knob spring = (0·016 kg × 30) −
0·454 kg = 0·036 kg
F2=W2× 30 = 0·023 kg × 30 = 0·68 kg
F3=W3
2×3 0=
 × 30 = 0·184 kg
ΣMo=F1×d1+F2×d2−F3×d3= 0·036 kg × 31·5 mm + 0·68 kg ×
10·67 mm − 0·184 kg × 4·83 mm = 7·51 mm/kg
F5=
=
= 0·238 kg
F6=W4× 30 = 0·042 × 30 = 1·265 kg
ΣMp= load on bolt spring (F5d5+F6d6) = 45·62 mm/kg − (0·238 ×
37·59 + 1·265 × 1·9) = 45·62 mm/kg − 11·36 mm/kg = 34·26
mm/kg1970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 15
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ANNEX III
REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING THE ACCESS TO ANDEXIT FROM
THE DOORS OF THE DRIVER'SCOMPARTMENT OF VEHICLESOF
CATEGORY N2HAVING A MAXIMUM MASS EXCEEDING 7,5
TONNESANDOFCATEGORYN3
1. Access steps to the driver's compartment (see figure)
1.1. The distance (A) from the ground to the upper surface of the lowest step,
measured with the vehicle in running order on a horizontal and flat
surface, shall not be more than 600 mm.
1.1.1. However, for off-road vehicles, as defined in Annex IIA to Directive 70/
156/EEC, that distance (A) may be increased up to 700 mm.
1.2. The distance (B) between the upper surfaces of the steps shall be not
more than 400 mm. The vertical distance between two subsequent steps
shall not vary by more than 50 mm.
1.2.1. However, for off-road vehicles (see 1.1.1), this latter figure may be
increased up to 100 mm.
1.3. In addition, the following minimum geometrical specifications shall be
fulfilled:
— step depth(D): 80 mm
— step clearance (E) (include step depth): 150 mm— step width(F): 300 mm— widthof th e lowest step (G): 200 mm
— step height (S): 120 mm
— tranversal offset between steps (H): 0 mm— longitudinal overlap (J): 200 mm
1.3.1. However, for off-road vehicles (see 1.1.1), the value (F) may be reduced
to 200 mm.
1.4. The lowest step may be designed as a rung, if this is necessary for
reasons relating to construction or use, and in the case of off-road vehi-
cles (see 1.1.1). In such case the rung depth (R) shall be at least 20 mm.
1.4.1. Rungs of round cross section are not permitted.1.5. While getting down from the driver's compartment the position of the
uppermost step shall be easily found out.
1.6. The upper surface of the steps shall be non-slip. In addition, steps
exposed to the weather and the dirt during driving shall have adequate
run-off (draining surface).
2. Access to handholds to the driver's compartment (see figure)
2.1. One or more suitable handrails and handholds or other equivalent holding
devices shall be provided for the access to the driver's compartment.
2.1.1. The handrail(s) or handholds or equivalent holding devices must be posi-
tioned in such a way that they can be easily grasped and do not obstruct
access.
2.1.2. A maximum discontinuity of 100 mm in the holding area of the handrails
or handholds or equivalent holding devices may be allowed (for instance
intermediate fixation).
2.1.3. In the case of access with more than two steps the handrails, handholds
or equivalent holding devices shall be located so that a person may
support himself at the same time at three points (with two hands and
one foot or withtwo feet and one h and).
2.1.4. Except in the case of a stairway, the design and positioning of the hand-
rails, handholds and equivalent holding devices must be such that
operators are encouraged to descend facing the cab.
2.1.5. The steering wheel may be considered as a handhold.2.2. The height (N) of the lower edge of at least one handrail or handhold or
equivalent holding device, measured from the ground with the vehicle in1970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 16
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running order on a horizontal and flat surface, shall not be more than
1 850 mm.
2.2.1. However, for off-road vehicles (see 1.1.1), such distance (N) may be
increased up to 1 950 mm.
2.2.2. If the floor of the driver's compartment has a height from the ground
greater than ‘N’, this height shall be assumed as ‘N’.
2.2.3. In addition, the minimum distance ‘P’ of the upper edge of the hand-
rail(s) or handholds or equivalent holding devices from the uppermost
step (floor of the driver's compartment) shall be:
— handrail(s) or handholds or equivalent holding devices (U) 650 mm,
— handrail(s) or handholds or equivalent holding devices (V) 550 mm.
2.3. The following geometrical specifications shall be fulfilled:
— gripping dimension (K): 16 mm minimum
38 mm maximum,
— length(M): 150 mm minimum,— clearance to vehicle components (L):40
mm minimum withopen door.
3. In the case of a sloped floor of the driver's compartment the required
measurements shall be made from a horizontal plane passing through a
point which is given by the intersection of the front edge of the floor
with a vertical plane through the centre of the step immediately below
and which is perpendicular to the longitudinal medium plane of the
vehicle.1970L0387 — EN — 19.12.1998 — 002.001 — 17