Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies
As used in following regulations Sections 14-80h-3 through 14-80h-8, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
(a) Air brakes. Brakes that utilize compressed air as the sole source of energy for application of brakes at the vehicle's wheels.
(b) Air chamber. A device or chamber which receives pressurized air and in turn exerts a force through the actuator to apply the foundation brakes.
(c) Air compressor. Device to build up and maintain required air pressure.
(d) Air check valve. An automatic control device designed to provide air flow in one direction only.
(e) Air hose. A flexible form of air line.
(f) Air lines. Conductor used to carry compressed air from one part of an air brake system to another and from tractor to the trailer. One line is called the emergency or supply line and is always charged with compressed air. The other is called the service or control line. When the air brake treadle valve is depressed, air flows from the supply reservoir through the service line and causes the brakes to apply.
(g) Air over hydraulic brake system. A brake system in which the operator's braking effort is reduced utilizing compressed air acting on the hydraulic system which actuates the wheel brakes.
(h) Air reservoir. Storage tank for compressed air.
(i) Brake, cam. A type of wheel brake in which the brake shoe and lining assemblies are spread apart against the drum by the rotation of a "S" shaped or other type cam.
(j) Brake, disc. Brakes that function by causing friction pads to press on either side of a disc rotating along with the wheel.
(k) Brake drum. Means the individual cupped metal drums to which motor vehicle wheels are each attached and against whose interior surface brake shoe pressure is applied to effect stopping, holding or control of forward or backward vehicle movement.
(l) Brake, foundation. The nonrotational components of a brake, including the actuating mechanism for development of retarding forces.
(m) Brake lining/pad. A material designed to create friction that is attached to the brake shoe and that contacts the rotating unit to supply braking force.
(n) Brake shoe. The nonrotating unit of the brake to which the brake lining/pad is attached.
(o) Brake, spider. That portion of the foundation brake which is anchored to either end of the axle bar, variously bolted or welded. Also known as support plate or backing plate.
(p) Brake system components. Any part required for the operation of vehicle brakes including those required under the provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 Sections 393.40 thru 393.52, inclusive, and 396.3, 571.105, 571.121 and DMV regulations, Sections 14-80-2a (b) and 14-80-3a.
(q) Brake, wedge. A type of wheel brake in which the brake shoe and lining assemblies are spread apart by forcing a wedge between opposing ends of the assemblies, pushing them outward against the brake drum.
(r) Dolly (or converter gear). The coupling device composed of one or two axles and a fifth wheel by which a semi-trailer can be coupled to the rear of a tractor-trailer combination, forming a double bottom rig, or as otherwise defined in CGS Section 14-260n (7).
(s) Electric brake system. A brake system that utilizes electro-magnetic forces as the sole source of energy for application of brakes at the vehicle's wheels.
(t) Federal motor carrier safety regulations (FMCSR). CFR Title 49, Parts 350 thru 399 inclusive.
(u) Flexural crack. Is any crack that shows movement upon loading, such as brake application.
(v) Governor (air). Device to automatically control the air pressure being maintained by the compressor in the air reservoirs, normally keeping air pressure between 90 and 120 psi, and which prevents excessive air pressure from building up.
(w) Gross vehicle weight. For the purpose of application of this regulation "gross vehicle weight" shall mean the GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR) as defined and specified by the vehicle manufacturer for a single vehicle.
(x) Hydraulic brake system. Brakes that depend on transmission of hydraulic pressure from a masterylinder to the wheel cylinders.
(y) Hydraulic boosted brake system. A brake system in which the operator's braking effort is reduced through the use of a hydraulic pump which separately acts on another hydraulic system which actuates the wheel brake. The hydraulic pump may be engine driven or driven by an electric motor.
(z) Imminent hazard. Means any condition of vehicle, employee, or commercial vehicle operations which is likely to result in serious injury or death if not discontinued immediately.
(aa) Low-air-warning device. Means of warning a truck driver that his vehicle is not maintaining the proper amount of air pressure needed to operate the brakes, etc. Can be a buzzer, a flashing red light on the instrument panel, or a small red metal flag that drops into the driver's line of vision.
(bb) Mechanical defect. Any faulty condition which in itself or upon its failure would prevent any mechanical component(s) in the brake system from operating within the manufacturer's specified tolerance.
(cc) Push-rod stroke. The distance traveled by the brake chamber push rod in moving from the fully released position to the fully applied position with minimum air pressure of 85 psi at the vehicle's air pressure gauge.
(dd) Slack adjuster. An adjustable mechanical lever fixed to the brake camshaft on one end, to the brake chamber push rod on the other, and determined to transmit brake chamber energy to the cam shaft.
(ee) Slack adjuster stroke. The distance traveled by the portion of the slack adjuster at its attachment to the push rod in moving from the fully released position to the fully applied position with minimum air pressure of 85 psi at the vehicle's air pressure gauge.
(ff) Vacuum brake system. A brake system in which the operator's braking effort is reduced through a vacuum booster acting on the hydraulic system which actuates the wheel brake.
(Effective February 24, 1989)