Fisher Capital News: European Union Combats Pollutant Emissions

from Non-Road Mobile Machinery

With such close scrutiny on pollutant emissions from road vehicles, what
measures are in place to regulate emissions from non-road mobile
machinery (NRMM)? Get educated, avoid scam and learn from latest news
update from Fisher Capital Equipment Management Leasing.

NRMM refers to any transportable industrial equipment or vehicle with or

without bodywork that is not intended to be used to carry goods or
passengers on the road, in which an internal combustion engine is installed.
This includes any vehicle fitted with a diesel engine and covers numerous
construction vehicles and equipment such as excavators, front loaders and
compressors.

Do NRMM contribute significantly to pollutant levels?

NRMM are not currently subject to as tight controls as road vehicles and
investigations undertaken by the European Commission estimate that off
road machinery accounts for approximately a quarter of the emissions of
oxides of nitrogen and a third of PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometers
in diameter) emissions of mobile sources in 2000.
Oxides of nitrogen and particulates are the most significant pollutants
emitted by diesel engines and are the two pollutants of most concern to the
United Kingdom in terms of air quality. Oxides of nitrogen can have adverse
effects on health, particularly among those with respiratory problems. In
addition, they contribute to acidification, and to ground level ozone
formation. Particulates are also damaging to health, particularly those
suffering from cardiovascular and respiratory complaints.

What has been done to control these emissions?

Directive 97/68/EC was passed by the European Parliament and the Council
of 16 December 1997 to approximate the laws of Member States relating to
measures against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from
internal combustion engines to be installed in non-road mobile machinery.
Several amendments have been made to this directive including,
2001/63/EC, 2002/88/EC, and 2004/26/EC to include technological
advancements and to extend the scope of the directive to cover agricultural
and forestry tractors, small spark ignition engines, locomotives and inland
waterway vessels. The directive identifies the necessity to control emissions
of air pollutants that have recognised health risks such as nitrogen dioxide,
particulates – black smoke and other pollutants such as carbon monoxide.

How does it work?

The directive approximates laws of the Member States with regard to
emission standards and has established a ''type approval' procedure for
engines intended to be fitted to NRMM. Type approval is a procedure
whereby a Member State certifies that an internal combustion engine 'type'
or 'family' meets the minimum technical requirements specified in the
directive with regards to its level of emission of gaseous and particulate
pollutants. Through certification, engine 'types' or 'families' can be approved
with the assumption that, as a result of similar design, the expected exhaust
emissions will comply with requirements of the directive.

What does this mean for the Construction Industry?

The Mayor of London’s 'Best Practice Guidance' already recommends

minimum standards for off-road vehicles associated with increasing numbers
of construction sites in London and large high profile demolition and
construction sites, more commonly being asked by local planning authorities
to specify exhaust emission controls for NRMM within their Construction
Environmental Management plans.

In instances where the existing poor air quality exists upgrading NRMM to
the latest engine 'type' or 'family', where budget allows, can not only reduce
the impact construction activities have on local air quality but also have
climate change benefits through efficient / clean engine technologies. As an
alternative a range of exhaust after-treatment technologies is also available
as a retrofit or as an original equipment option. Where upgrading to the
latest technology or retrofit is not possible, other simple changes to on-site
operations can be made to reduce the impact of NRMM. Such changes as
using ultra low sulphur equivalent diesel and routinely maintaining/servicing
an engine can hugely reduce levels of pollutants. Moreover, careful
consideration of where to locate stationary construction plant equipment
such as generators and cranes can also minimise the impact of exhaust
emissions i.e. away from pedestrian walkways or areas where members of
the public may be exposed for any length of time. A cost effective way that
companies with sizeable stocks of NRMM can minimise their impacts on air
quality at the most sensitive sites would be to distribute only there newest
NRMM to sites with existing air quality issues.

With ever increasing pressure on the construction industry to tighten up their

environmental practices, emissions from NRMM should not forgotten and
through planned equipment renewal and on-site management companies
can help protect the general public and employees against recognised health
risks from air pollution and improve their environmental credentials.