The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual Brake Safety Week will run from Sept. 6–12, with participation from law enforcement agencies across North America.

They will conduct brake system inspections on large trucks and buses to identify out-of-adjustment brakes and brake-system violations.

Additionally, outreach and educational efforts are scheduled to be given by CMV inspectors, participating carriers and other industry personnel as part of the campaign.

Brake inspections conducted during Brake Safety Week include inspection of brake-system components to identify loose or missing parts, air or hydraulic fluid leaks, worn linings, pads, drums or rotors, and other faulty brake-system components. Antilock braking system malfunction indicator lamps also are checked.

Brake-related violations made up 46.2% of all out-of-service violations during last year’s International Roadcheck campaign. Improperly installed or poorly maintained brake systems can reduce braking capacity and increase stopping distance for trucks and buses.

Inspectors will go over brake components and measure pushrod stroke where applicable. Defective or out-of-adjustment brakes will result in the vehicle being placed out of service.

Additional inspections may include some Level I Inspections and, in the 10 jurisdictions currently using performance-based brake testing equipment, overall vehicle braking efficiency will be measured.

These systems include a slow speed roller dynamometer that measures total vehicle weight and total brake force, from which braking efficiency is determined. The minimum braking efficiency for trucks is 43.5%, required by U.S. federal regulation and CVSA Out-of-Service Criteria.

Participating agencies inspected 13,305 vehicles during the 2014 Brake Safety Week and placed 2,162 vehicles out of service for brake violations.

Brake Safety Week is part of the Operation Airbrake program sponsored by CVSA in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.