Explaining why some Czech hauliers have fallen foul of the rules, the haulage association wrote on its website:
“The size of a drain seal is not specified anywhere [in the regulations]. Many drivers carry drain seals of various materials and sizes in their vehicles and have had no problems with them during inspections so far – until this year that is. This year in Germany, we have already repeatedly encountered verdicts from some control authorities that drain seals smaller than 80 x 80 cm are insufficient, because sewage drains in Germany can be even larger than this. Therefore, a seal with dimensions smaller than 80 x 80 cm does not fulfill its function.”
Česmad Bohemia added that is debatable whether not having a larger drain seal legally merits a finable offence:
“We can look at the whole issue from two sides. One view is that the ADR Agreement does not specify any size of drain seal, and therefore any seal can be used that meets the requirements of the ADR Agreement for additional equipment. However, another view says that the purpose of the seal is to ensure that dangerous elements do not enter the sewage network. Despite sewer drains being of different dimensions, the ADR Agreement does not specify one universal dimension.”
Rather than argue with the authorities about the matter, the haulage association recommends that it is simpler to just invest in a larger drain seal:
“Taking all of this into consideration, it can therefore be concluded that if there are sewer drains in Germany with dimensions of, for example, 80 x 80 cm, and I have a 64 x 44 cm seal in my vehicle, I cannot ensure the complete sealing of this drain with this drain seal. Therefore, it may be worth considering whether, rather than arguing with the police, it would be better to equip the vehicle with a sufficiently large drain seal.”