[Title 49 CFR 232.207]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - October 1, 2006 Edition]
[Title 49 - TRANSPORTATION]
[Subtitle B - Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued)]
[Chapter II - FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF]
[Part 232 - BRAKE SYSTEM SAFETY STANDARDS for FREIGHT and OTHER NON-]
[Subpart C - Inspection and Testing Requirements]
[Sec. 232.207 - Class IA brake tests--1,000-mile inspection.]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


49TRANSPORTATION42006-10-012006-10-01false232.207Sec. 232.207TRANSPORTATIONOther Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued)FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OFBRAKE SYSTEM SAFETY STANDARDS for FREIGHT and OTHER NON-Inspection and Testing Requirements
Sec. 232.207  Class IA brake tests--1,000-mile inspection.

    (a) Except as provided in Sec. 232.213, each train shall receive a 
Class IA brake test performed by a qualified person, as defined in Sec. 
232.5, at a location that is not more than 1,000 miles from the point 
where any car in the train last received a Class I or Class IA brake 
test. The most restrictive car or block of cars in the train shall 
determine the location of this test.
    (b) A Class IA brake test of a train shall consist of the following 
tasks and requirements:
    (1) Brake pipe leakage shall not exceed 5 psi per minute, or air 
flow shall not exceed 60 cubic feet per minute (CFM). The brake pipe 
leakage test or air flow method test shall be conducted pursuant to the 
requirements contained in Sec. 232.205(c)(1);
    (2) The inspector shall position himself/herself, taking positions 
on each side of each car sometime during the inspection process, so as 
to be able to examine and observe the functioning of all moving parts of 
the brake system on each car in order to make the determinations and 
inspections required by this section;
    (3) The air brake system shall be charged to the pressure at which 
the train will be operated, and the pressure at the rear of the train 
shall be within 15 psi of the pressure at which the train will be 
operated, but not less than 75 psi, as indicated by an accurate gauge or 
end-of-train device at rear end of train;
    (4) The brakes on each car shall apply in response to a 20-psi brake 
pipe service reduction and shall remain applied until the release is 
initiated by the controlling locomotive. A car found with brakes that 
fail to apply or remain applied may be retested and remain in the train 
if the retest is conducted as prescribed in Sec. 232.205(c)(4); 
otherwise, the defective equipment may only be moved pursuant to the 
provisions contained in Sec. 232.15, if applicable;

[[Page 557]]

    (5) Brake rigging shall be properly secured and shall not bind or 
foul or otherwise adversely affect the operation of the brake system; 
and
    (6) All parts of the brake equipment shall be properly secured.
    (c) A railroad shall designate the locations where Class IA brake 
tests will be performed, and the railroad shall furnish to the Federal 
Railroad Administration upon request a description of each location 
designated. A railroad shall notify FRA's Associate Administrator for 
Safety in writing 30 days prior to any change in the locations 
designated for such tests and inspections.
    (1) Failure to perform a Class IA brake test on a train at a 
location designated pursuant to this paragraph constitutes a failure to 
perform a proper Class IA brake test if the train is due for such a test 
at that location.
    (2) In the event of an emergency that alters normal train 
operations, such as a derailment or other unusual circumstance that 
adversely affects the safe operation of the train, the railroad is not 
required to provide prior written notification of a change in the 
location where a Class IA brake test is performed to a location not on 
the railroad's list of designated locations for performing Class IA 
brake tests, provided that the railroad notifies FRA's Associate 
Administrator for Safety and the pertinent FRA Regional Administrator 
within 24 hours after the designation has been changed and the reason 
for that change.

[66 FR 4193, Jan. 17, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 17582, Apr. 10, 2002]