Co-operation in calibration

A new Code of Practice has been introduced to provide the industry with clear guidance on the recalibration of car safety technology during the replacement of windscreens.

An industry-wide Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Repair Group, led by Thatcham Research with National Windscreens taking a pivotal role, believes this Code of Practice will help to ensure repairs and replacements are carried out correctly.

Six per cent of vehicles on the road today have ADAS technology already, but that figure is expected to rise to 40% by 2020.

Martyn Bennett, regional director at National Windscreens, said, ‘The issue of ADAS camera calibration is here and now. National Windscreens has undertaken approaching 1,000 calibrations and the numbers are growing rapidly.

‘Publication of this Code of Practice is a good start towards ensuring everyone works to the appropriate standard. At the moment it seems there is a lack of awareness in many areas, including aftermarket, fleet and insurers, about the fact that this growing calibration requirement is happening now. National Windscreens is keen to raise awareness of this issue and the need for quality calibration services to ensure ADAS systems work correctly.’

Tim Camm, technical manager at National Windscreens and member of the Thatcham ADAS Repair Group added, ‘The ADAS Glazing Code of Practice is an excellent method of ensuring camera calibration is undertaken according to manufacturer’s requirements after a windscreen has been replaced. National Windscreens has been undertaking calibration in line with this new Code of Practice for several months but this has only been possible through a £1m investment in equipment and training.

‘We hope this new Code of Practice will ensure that all windscreen replacement organisations operate to the required standard and hence avoid the major safety concerns associated with driving a vehicle with an ADAS camera that has not been calibrated correctly.

‘An ADAS camera is a critical part of the operation of a host of safety systems on a vehicle so if it is wrongly calibrated it can have potentially disastrous results. But our rigorous approach to safety does not stop there. Doing a calibration in line with the new Code of Practice means we also do a check on any reports or warnings from the vehicle safety system and inform the customer so they can be rectified.’