Mount a tablet in a truck

[dbdb]

Hi,
I’d like some advice or suggestions from those with automotive engineering expertise please.
I’m a member of our local fire brigade (South Australian CFS), about 5 or 6 years ago we mounted a tablet in each of our trucks for mapping / navigation, using RAM mounts screwed to the dash . We bought the tablets and mounts using funds raised by the brigade. The SA CFS doesn’t supply or support any kind of electronic mapping.

About 18 months ago we were told to remove the mounts as they weren’t approved, and we’d have to install the approved mount solution at our brigade expense (the CFS still doesn’t supply or support electronic mapping, they just objected to brigades mounting their own tablets). The only reason given is that the approved mount is ADR compliant. The new solution is from a NSW company, and is $900 per truck.

Our options are to pony up $2700, leave the tablets sitting on the dash, or do as some brigades have done and Velcro the tablet to the dash. The brigade is not at all happy to spend nearly $3000 of hard earned funds (we have 3 trucks) to achieve what we already have. We want to retain our ability to have real time navigation, its proved invaluable, and we’d rather have it properly mounted for the sake of use and the longevity of the tablet. We don’t really care about the safety aspect of the tablet being mounted or not, only because of all the things in the truck that are a potential missile in an accident, the tablet is one of the lightest .

Our thoughts are to see if we can prove a case to use off the shelf RAM mounts for a more reasonable cost solution. Can anyone here with experience advise what ADR compliance means when installing post registration equipment? Can anyone advise how we could seek engineering compliance to mount a tablet using RAM mounts?

[Dicko1]

Hi,
I’d like some advice or suggestions from those with automotive engineering expertise please.
I’m a member of our local fire brigade (South Australian CFS), about 5 or 6 years ago we mounted a tablet in each of our trucks for mapping / navigation, using RAM mounts screwed to the dash . We bought the tablets and mounts using funds raised by the brigade. The SA CFS doesn’t supply or support any kind of electronic mapping.

About 18 months ago we were told to remove the mounts as they weren’t approved, and we’d have to install the approved mount solution at our brigade expense (the CFS still doesn’t supply or support electronic mapping, they just objected to brigades mounting their own tablets). The only reason given is that the approved mount is ADR compliant. The new solution is from a NSW company, and is $900 per truck.

Our options are to pony up $2700, leave the tablets sitting on the dash, or do as some brigades have done and Velcro the tablet to the dash. The brigade is not at all happy to spend nearly $3000 of hard earned funds (we have 3 trucks) to achieve what we already have. We want to retain our ability to have real time navigation, its proved invaluable, and we’d rather have it properly mounted for the sake of use and the longevity of the tablet. We don’t really care about the safety aspect of the tablet being mounted or not, only because of all the things in the truck that are a potential missile in an accident, the tablet is one of the lightest .

Our thoughts are to see if we can prove a case to use off the shelf RAM mounts for a more reasonable cost solution. Can anyone here with experience advise what ADR compliance means when installing post registration equipment? Can anyone advise how we could seek engineering compliance to mount a tablet using RAM mounts?

Wonder how many cop cars and ambulances have "adr approved" mounts? Maybe check out a local cop car or ask at the cop shop if you could just look at how they mount their numerous boards/screens. I,d also be asking the fire brigade hierarchy for a copy of the necessary adr rules before anything else. Once again it sounds like bureaucratic bullshit before common sense. Its no wonder people get pissed off when an organisation, based on volunteers, is run by city slickers with no real idea of how to look after people who are volunteers.

[shawty950]

Quick check for adr's and Queensland transport or police have no mention of adr requirement, just that it cant obscure vision and must be held securely.
Oz distributor for ram has some info about contacting them for questions related to ram mounts and adr https://www.realmounts.com.au/australian-design-rules
They might be able to point you in the right direction or provide access to paperwork to tell the slickers to get stuffed.

[Alex86]

Does whoever made the rule to use these different mounts have any ownership of said mount-company????

Or am I being too cynical......?

[Dicko1]

Hundreds of thousands of suction cup mounted gps and cameras on windscreens...guarantee no adr,s in volved. Ask for a copy of the adr,s used to mount the 2 way radios....

[disco stu]

Not that I've looked deep into this sort of question, but my understanding was for mounting this sort of thing there wasn't an ADR for it

[Dicko1]

Not that I've looked deep into this sort of question, but my understanding was for mounting this sort of thing there wasn't an ADR for it

Exactly my thoughts as well.....otherwise our insurance companies would be telling us that they they wont pay out if we are using a non ADR compliant suction cup....hahaha

[KymJ]

Not that I have a solution for the mounting of the iPad but we went through a similar exercise at our brigade recently and decided not to mount it at all. Someone is always asking to 'have a look' so it was easier to just have it floating around the truck.

[pharb]

Not that I have a solution for the mounting of the iPad but we went through a similar exercise at our brigade recently and decided not to mount it at all. Someone is always asking to 'have a look' so it was easier to just have it floating around the truck.

We are in same boat with our 2 trucks - keep it portable to allow use in and outside truck.

I came from a Heavy Vehicle enforcement role and we had heaps of contraptions mounted around dash - dash cam, electotector, mobile radar display screen, mobile radar transceiver, multiple radio hand pieces, computer screen lights and siren controls......

The only relavant ADRs I can find is

ADR 42 Safety Requirements.
13. TELEVISION AND VISUAL DISPLAY UNITS

13.1.Any television receiver(s), visual display unit(s) and associated equipment thereof, must be securely mounted in a position which:

(a)does not obscure the driver’s vision;

(b)does not impede driver or passenger movement in the vehicle; and

(c)is unlikely to increase the risk of occupant injury.

13.2 Unless a driver’s aid, any television receiver(s) or visual display unit(s) must be installed such that no part of the image on the screen is visible to the driver from the normal driving position.


The only real hard and fast, non subjective area is can't be seen by driver unless is a driver's aid, which when used for mapping it is.
13.1 is very subjective. How "solid" is solidly mounted?

Also keep in mind that ADRs are for vehicle manufacturers, not in service rules for vehicle users.
As the fire truck is a heavy vehicle in SA it comes under the regulations set by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator which spells out vehicle standards here - https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/v...t/sl-2013-0076

On page 36 and 37 it has a little bit more info, but basically just reinforces the ADRs.

A question for your superiors is what ADR does the mount have to comply with? Put them on the spot.

Of course the final answer is it is their name on the rego papers so they can set what ever standard they want, so long as it meets or exceeds the NHVR Vehicle standards.

[nj swb]

A question for your superiors is what ADR does the mount have to comply with? Put them on the spot.

Therein lies the problem. Nobody wants to be "on the spot" for approving / authorising anything.

"ADR approved" is an easy out to blame whoever approved the the solution is "compliant" - hence the NSW company charging eyewatering amounts, as they've put their private parts on the line, and it's their eyes that will be watering if the lawyers ever get involved.

[dbdb]

Thanks for all the feedback and comments. The requirement to meet ADR's is the line taken by the hierarchy, and it doesn't make a lot of sense. We are still trying to get the relevant person to point us to the regulations.

There are some useful suggestions and links been given, thank you. We may end up just having it not mounted, there is only so much time to spend battling .

[Seigried]

This company claims to have installed engineered adr compliant mounts in over 600 fire trucks and crash tested to 25G's

https://www.strike.com.au/Blog/Leading-Hands-Free-Tech-Company-Strike-Group-Designs-A-Robust-Solution

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Dicko1]

This company claims to have installed engineered adr compliant mounts in over 600 fire trucks and crash tested to 25G's

https://www.strike.com.au/Blog/Leading-Hands-Free-Tech-Company-Strike-Group-Designs-A-Robust-Solution

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I would like to see a copy of the relevant ADR rules covering phone/gps/tablet mounts....I cant find anything on the internet and nothing in the Qld mod booklet. RAM mounts are used universal by large corporations, governments, private sector and many defence/emergency agencies...yet no mention of ADR (FOR aUS) ON ANY OF THEIR WEBSITES.

[disco stu]

And meanwhile, the only alternative is to have it handheld where it will go flying around the cab in a crash situation anyway.....

[2bad4u]

The link below provides a good summary. Basically, the mounts aren't ADR approved however, it's location must mean the vehicle still meets ADR requirements. So you won't find an ADR approved mount.

https://www.realmounts.com.au/australian-design-rules