Which material grade is best for you? A Guide to Chapter 8 kits
4th June 2021
What are the things to consider when buying a ‘Chapter 8 kit’? Here’s an easy guide to help you navigate the available options on Vehicle Chevrons to choose the Chapter 8 kit suitable to your needs, whilst making you and your vehicle/s safe on the road.
What material?
The choice of the material for your Chapter 8 kit depends on the type of vehicle and on what roads it will be used on.
Vehicles under 7.5 tonnes that only operates on roads under 40mph can use Engineering grade.
Vehicles that will be used on roads over 40mph need to use Prismatic, and as the latest material standards update, have now been raised to meet class R3B performance (typically high grade micropsrismatic).
See the REMA guide to Chapter 8 markings.
Engineering grade
A cost effective solution for vehicles which do not need to meet Chapter 8 compliance. This is recommended only for stopping on roads under 40mph.
Prismatic grade
This combination meets Chapter 8 compliance (class R3B) and provides high retro-reflectivity. The prismatic red material is edge-sealed during production for maximum durability.
High performance prismatic grade
This is our premium offering, combining the best performing products for both retro-reflectivity (3M Diamond Grade) and daytime fluorescent life (Oracal 7710). The Diamond Grade material is edge-sealed during production for maximum durability
Material specification
Vehicle Chevrons Chapter 8 kits are manufactured with materials supplied from all major manufacturers, and all are approved for highways markings, meeting the requirements of ECE104 and Chapter 8.
What kit mount?
The mount of your Chapter 8 kit depends on specific needs and application skills.
We offer four types of mounts: segmented for self-assembly, segmented assembled, flooded, magnetic.
Segmented
Available assembled or for self-assembly.
- Assembled: panels are supplied as alternate panels of material with panels taped together in sections ready for application.
- Self-assembly/DIY: Panels are supplied as alternate panels of material. Please note this is a Self-Assembly kit and the panels will be in number order within the packet (red and yellow separately stacked) but will not come taped together. We recommend using a table or other flat surface to tape individual sections together prior to commencing the application of the kit.
Flooded (solid yellow backing)
Solid panels of fluorescent yellow are supplied, with red panels supplied to be fitted on top.
Please note that the red panels do not come pre-applied to the yellow.
Magnetic
Kit is supplied with panels fitted to magnetic backing.
Please note some pieces shown on magnetic kits may not be suitable for your vehicle. Some vehicles have plastic or composite panels and although our kit may include these areas, the magnetic sheet will not stick to these areas.
What coverage?
Chevrons should cover as much of the rear as possible without obscuring windows, lights or registration plates.
It is possible to choose between different levels of coverage depending on specific needs.
We offer three different types of coverage for every vehicle: half height, full height glazed and full height.
Half height
Half height is the standard coverage for cars, but it may be used also on vans.
This coverage only covers the lower part of the rear, leaving the windows and the edges of the windows uncovered, but still providing excellent reflective visibility.
Full height glazed
Find it on the shop as ‘excluding window panels’.
Full height glazed covers the entirely the rear of the vehicle, leaving the windows free.
This coverage gives extra visibility to make sure the vehicle is clearly identifiable by other road users.
Full height
Full height coverage provides maximum visibility at all times and is available for vans.
These kits cover the whole available area of the rear including the windows, and are especially useful for high roof vans to make sure the whole area of the rear is visible to other road users.
The most coverage the vehicle has, the more visible and safe on the road it is.
Our shop
With an established library of existing vehicle templates we can quickly supply Chapter 8 kits for most vehicles.
Can’t find the kit you need? Call us at 01444 258980 or email us at sales@pvluk.com to discuss your requirements.
Join our exclusive newsletter
Get exclusive deals and expert advice on vehicle safety. From step-by-step guides to legal insights, we’ve got you covered.
