Deviations from Railway Group Standards

Introduction

A deviation is a permission to comply with a specified alternative to a requirement in a Railway Group Standard (RGS) in circumstances where it is not appropriate to change the RGS.

All deviations from RGSs are to be in accordance with the procedure defined in part 6 of the Railway Group Standards Code (the Code) and the supporting provisions defined in the Standards Manual (the Manual).

Types of deviation

Two types of deviation are permitted under the Code:

A derogation (DGN) is a deviation that is valid indefinitely. It is used where the duty holder proposes an alternative practice to that required by the RGS in a particular situation or for a particular piece of equipment. The duty holder does not intend to employ this alternative practice in all cases.
A temporary non-compliance (TNC) is a deviation that is valid for a finite time. It is used where the duty holder proposes an alternative practice to that required by the RGS, until compliance with the RGS can be achieved. The maximum period of a TNC is restricted by the Manual (section 10) to 12 months.

Applying for a deviation

An application for a deviation from a RGS may be made by:

Any member of RSSB, or
A third party acting on behalf of, and with the support of, a member of RSSB.

Applications should be made using the deviation application form provided on this page (under related documents). All applications should be submitted either in electronic format to proposalsanddeviations@rssb.co.uk. or as a signed copy to Head of Standards Management, RSSB, Block 2 Angel Square, 1 Torrens Street, London, EC1V 1NY.

To help you with completing the form, we have made available a few examples of applications that you can view by clicking on the relevant links below:

Temporary non-compliance:

GI/RT7012 – Level Crossings: positioning of protecting signal
GM/TT0088 – Permissible Track Forces: Exceedence of Q/D limit due to reduction of Operational Diameter for wheels
GI/RT7016 - Interface Between Station Platforms, Track and Trains: Temporary hoardings, clearance to platform edge
GE/RT8000/TW5 - Preparation and Movement of Trains: Defective or isolated vehicles or on-train equipment: Extension of existing trial of TCA Risk Model to include new operators, different stock classes and routes

Derogation:

GK/RT0045 - Lineside Signals, Indicators and Layout of Signals: Provision of flashing aspects for signals
GE/RT8000/OTM – Working of On-Track Machines: Control of Matisa D75 ballast removal unit

Derogation relating to a National Technical Rule:

GM/RT2043 - Braking system and performance for freight trains : Stopping Distance Braking Performance – Demonstration of compliance, avoiding the need for slip coupling brake tests

Applicants should submit the deviation application form in sufficient time so that they are in a position to respond to the decision of the Standards Committee. A decision could be that further information is required before the committee can take a final decision, or an application may be modified by the committee, or an application may be rejected by the committee.

Applications must be submitted to RSSB at least three weeks prior to the date of relevant Standards Committee meeting. Details of relevant dates are included in ‘Standards Committee meeting dates and associated cut-off dates’ under related documents on this page. If you are unsure which committee(s) may have an interest in the subject of your deviation application, please contact Anna Apicella on 020 3142 5567

It is important to select the type of deviation required (derogation or temporary non-compliance) when completing the application form. Both types of deviation use the same form.

RSSB will then submit the application form, with any supporting documents, to the relevant Standards Committee(s) for consideration.

The applicant should be prepared to present the case for the application to the relevant Standards Committee(s).

Consultation

The Code requires all applicants for deviations to consult with all those industry parties that could be materially affected by the proposed deviation and present the results of that consultation to the Standards Committee. RSSB have produced guidance to assist applicants undertaking consultations (see under related documents on this page).

A generic version of the template form that RSSB use to report to Standards Committees on consultations on changes to Railway Group Standards is provided under related documents on this page. Applicants may find this useful in reporting the results of consultations to Standards Committee.

Approval and authorisation

Following Standards Committee approval, RSSB will authorise the deviation by the issue of the appropriate deviation certificate. The limits to the application of the alternative practice will be clearly stated in the certificate. In the case of a temporary non-compliance, an expiry date will be shown on the certificate.

Authorised deviations are recorded in the deviations register (see under related documents on this page).

It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify those industry parties who could be affected by the deviation (and were therefore previously consulted) about the decision of the Standards Committee.

Publication of new RGSs – impact on deviations

A deviation is permission to comply with a specified alternative to a requirement in a RGS. Because it is permission to adopt an alternative rather than permission not to comply with the RGS concerned, the status of a deviation is unaffected by publication of a new RGS.

Validity of Certificates of Derogation

Certificates of Derogation do not contain an expiry date and are valid providing the original circumstances remain unchanged. It is the responsibility of the holder of the certificate to check that the original assumptions and conclusions remain valid whenever any material changes occur.

Certificates of Derogation may become redundant if the relevant RGS is revised or if the equipment or plant is no longer used or if geographic factors change. In these cases, the certificate holder should return the certificate to RSSB so that it can be cancelled.

Further information

If you have any queries regarding deviations please contact Anna Apicella on 020 3142 5567.

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