[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR232.217]

[Page 596]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 232_BRAKE SYSTEM SAFETY STANDARDS for FREIGHT and OTHER NON-PASSENGER 
 
              Subpart C_Inspection and Testing Requirements
 
Sec.  232.217  Train brake tests conducted using yard air.

    (a) When a train air brake system is tested from a yard air source, 
an engineer's brake valve or a suitable test device shall be used to 
provide any increase or reduction of brake pipe air pressure at the 
same, or slower, rate as an engineer's brake valve.
    (b) The yard air test device must be connected to the end of the 
train or block of cars that will be nearest to the controlling 
locomotive. However, if the railroad adopts and complies with written 
procedures to ensure that potential overcharge conditions to the train 
brake system are avoided, the yard air test device may be connected to 
other than the end nearest to the controlling locomotive.
    (c) Except as provided in this section, when yard air is used the 
train air brake system must be charged and tested as prescribed by Sec.  
232.205(c) and when practicable should be kept charged until road motive 
power is coupled to train, after which, a Class III brake test shall be 
performed as prescribed by Sec.  232.211.
    (1) If the cars are off air for more than four hours, the cars shall 
be retested in accordance with Sec.  232.205(c) through (f).
    (2) At a minimum, yard air pressure shall be 60 psi at the end of 
the consist or block of cars opposite from the yard test device and 
shall be within 15 psi of the regulator valve setting on yard test 
device.
    (3) If the air pressure of the yard test device is less than 80 psi, 
then a brake pipe leakage or air flow test shall be conducted at the 
operating pressure of the train when the locomotives are attached in 
accordance with Sec.  232.205(c)(1).
    (d) Mechanical yard air test devices and gauges shall be calibrated 
every 92 days. Electronic yard test devices and gauges shall be 
calibrated annually. Mechanical and electronic yard air test devices and 
gauges shall be calibrated so that they are accurate to within 3 psi.
    (e) If used to test a train, a yard air test device and any yard air 
test equipment shall be accurate and function as intended.

[66 FR 4193, Jan. 17, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 17583, Apr. 10, 2002]

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