Hi there after failing my first IVA some time ago one of the minor fails was he tested the exclusion zone behind the steering wheel for radius's so my bike clocks and engine kill switch fail, he says because he can get his sphere in from above he's counting them as an exterior projection, at the time I thought simple ill have an areoscreen, fitted that and failed again, now with the areoscreen on its apparently to high when he gets his gadget out (piece of string and a level). So now my areoscreen is to high on my indy so now I have to make something that will cover the distance between my steering wheel and dash so that he can't get his sphere in from above but so I can still see my clocks, it only needs to be temporary, any ideas?

Some sort of instrument cowl, for example off an MX5;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131091471474

[Edited on 16/1/14 by Slimy38]

I'd be querying his interpretation of the rules with vosa tbh.

A piece of foam either sprayed black or covered in vinyl ( to make it look something like ) cut holes in it so you can see your clocks.
Stick it around your clocks with very strong double sided tape, if the foam is dense enough it should stop the sphere contacting the offending edges, unless he presses unreasonably hard.
It worked for my R1 clocks at SVA - got a pic somewhere if you want me to dig it out.

Rob

I thought this was in the first/early IVA manual but removed/clarified later to reinstate the exclusion zone where no screen was fitted.

I would definitely be checking up on the exclusion zone behind the wheel chap! Doesn't sound right to me, certainly from what I've read.

[Edited on 17/1/14 by Daddylonglegs]

Taken out of the Existing IVA Manual

1.
Interior design features and fittings in the “specified zone” which are contactable with a 165mm sphere in a forward direction must have a radius of curvature of 2.5mm or greater, except where a projection from a panel is less than 3.2mm where the edges must be at least blunted. (see note 3, 4and 9) see annex 1 and 2
2.
Interior design features and fittings below the “specified zone” that are not adaptations for a disabled person and which are contactable with a 100mm sphere in a forward direction must be at least blunted. (see note 3, 4 and 9) see annex 2
3.
Switches, controls and equipment associated with those switches and controls that are designed or modified for the use of a disabled person and are contactable with a 165mm sphere must be at least blunted
4.
The edges of all gaps (i.e. grills, holes, recesses etc.) of not more than 20mm (determined by the contact points of a 165mm sphere bridging the gap) must be blunted.
5.
Control features mounted on a heating or ventilation grill element area which can be contacted by a 165mm diameter sphere must be at least blunted.
6.
All switches, control knobs etc which are mounted on the instrument panel which are within the "specified zone", contactable by a 165mm diameter. Sphere and protrude from the instrument panel by more than 9.5mm must be likely to retract or detach with no sharp edges when subject to an impact of 40kgf (see Note 5)
7.
The instrument panel lower edge within the “specified zone” must have a radius of curvature not less than 19mm or 5mm and be covered with a non-rigid material, except where an adaptation for a disabled person makes it impossible to comply. (see notes 6 & 7)

ANNEX 1

Annex 1 Steering Excemption

ANNEX 2

Annex 2 Dash

[Edited on 17/1/14 by Ben_Copeland]

Your tester is frankly a jerk. My car wouldn't pass if he put a sphere between the wheel and dash. Thats why its an exclusion zone. My IVA guy was fine with it. Never checked the exclusion zone with the sphere, but he did test for sharp edges by hand. My switches etc where all fine.

Its easy for me to say, but i'd contact VOSA and say you are unhappy with the tester. He must have cost you a fortune in retests and transport.

Agree with all the comments re IVA inspector.

If you need a solution I would suggest getting some hardboard, shape it to make a 'canopy' over the area behind the wheel, just big enough to stop the sphere getting in. Then wrap it all in some vinyl material (not wrap I mean fabric from Dunelm or similar) which will form a nice radiused edge. I did this for a few covers on my car.