FORS & CLOCS Vehicle Safety Solutions
FORS
Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme
The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is a voluntary accreditation scheme designed to improve safety, efficiency and environmental performance across commercial vehicle operations.
FORS accreditation is available at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, with each level building upon the requirements of the previous level.
The current FORS Standard is Version 7.1.
Vtech Systems specialises in the vehicle safety equipment elements of the FORS Standard. We can assess equipment already fitted to your vehicles and supply and professionally install additional camera, detection and warning systems where required.
FORS Bronze: V6 Vehicle Safety Equipment
Bronze requirement V6 Vehicle Safety Equipment is designed to help protect vulnerable road users and reduce the risk and severity of close-proximity collisions involving larger vehicles.
For HGVs, the vehicle safety requirements include blind-spot warning signage and appropriate safety equipment such as side under-run protection and Class V and Class VI close-proximity mirrors. Where appropriate, the required mirror field of view may also be achieved using a suitable camera monitoring system.
Evidence of fitted vehicle safety equipment is required as part of FORS accreditation, including vehicle safety equipment records, photographs and supplier invoices.
Vtech Systems can assess your existing vehicle equipment and advise on camera, monitoring and warning systems that can help you meet the relevant FORS Bronze vehicle safety equipment requirements.
FORS Silver: S6 Vehicle Safety Equipment
FORS Silver builds upon the Bronze requirements and introduces enhanced vehicle safety requirements for HGVs.
Under S6 Vehicle Safety Equipment, HGVs must demonstrate suitable enhanced safety equipment designed to reduce the risk of close-proximity collisions involving vulnerable road users.
Under FORS Standard Version 7.1, this can be demonstrated through one of four routes:
- A Direct Vision Standard rating of 3 stars or above, together with an audible warning system for left-turn and reversing manoeuvres and a camera monitoring the rear vehicle blind spot.
- A Progressive Safe System (PSS) fitted as part of the Direct Vision Standard.
- GSR2 safety equipment, together with the additional audible manoeuvring warning and blind-spot warning signage required by FORS.
- A dedicated package of enhanced FORS safety equipment, including blind-spot vision aids, manoeuvring warnings and rear-camera equipment where applicable.
Already Equipped for DVS?
A vehicle fitted with the current Direct Vision Standard Progressive Safe System is one of the recognised routes for demonstrating the FORS Silver S6 enhanced vehicle safety equipment requirement. Operators must still provide the required FORS evidence and vehicle safety equipment records.
Likewise, an HGV rated 3 stars or above under the Direct Vision Standard may require only the additional FORS equipment applicable to that route rather than a complete replacement safety system.
Vtech Systems can assess your existing installation and advise whether additional equipment is required.
Learn more about the Direct Vision Standard and Progressive Safe System
Additional FORS Vehicle Safety Equipment
FORS also encourages enhanced vehicle safety equipment beyond the core S6 requirements, including front and offside camera coverage, digital video recording or streaming systems, Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS) and Blind Spot Information Systems (BSIS).
Vtech Systems can supply and install a wide range of integrated commercial vehicle safety equipment, including camera monitoring systems, DVR recording, AI and radar detection, audible warning systems and bespoke fleet safety solutions.
No Two Fleets Are the Same
There is no single FORS equipment package suitable for every vehicle.
Requirements can vary depending on the vehicle type, age, existing equipment, DVS star rating, operating environment and the route being used to demonstrate compliance with the FORS Standard.
Rather than replacing equipment unnecessarily, Vtech Systems can assess what is already installed and recommend a practical solution based on your individual vehicle or fleet requirements.
Current FORS Standard
The current standard is FORS Standard Version 7.1.
For complete accreditation requirements, operators should always refer to the latest official FORS Standard and supporting guidance published by FORS.
CLOCS
Construction Logistics and Community Safety
The Construction Logistics and Community Safety (CLOCS) Standard is a national industry standard designed to make construction vehicle journeys safer, leaner and greener.
It brings together clients, principal contractors, site operators and fleet operators to reduce road risk to vulnerable road users, improve construction logistics efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of construction vehicle movements.
The current standard is CLOCS Standard Version 5.
Who Does CLOCS Apply To?
CLOCS is primarily applicable to construction projects involving deliveries, collections or servicing by construction vehicles.
For fleet operators, the Standard principally applies to HGV operations and construction vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight, including vehicles such as lorries, low-loaders and engineering plant servicing construction projects.
Clients can also choose to extend CLOCS requirements to vehicles below 3.5 tonnes where appropriate.
CLOCS Requirements for Fleet Operators
Fleet operators working on CLOCS projects must demonstrate that appropriate systems are in place to manage:
- vehicle safety
- driver safety and training
- fleet management
- operational safety
Fleet operators must either participate in a recognised independent fleet accreditation scheme or operate a suitable management system that addresses these areas.
For construction logistics HGV operations, the required standard of performance must meet the requirements described as Silver within the FORS Standard.
Does CLOCS Require FORS Silver Accreditation?
This is an important distinction.
FORS Silver accreditation itself is not mandatory under CLOCS.
The CLOCS Standard requires construction logistics HGV operations to meet the standards and requirements described as Silver in FORS, but alternative recognised accreditation schemes or suitable management systems may also be used where they demonstrate equivalent compliance and are accepted by the procurer.
The current CLOCS V5 document explicitly says that attainment of FORS Silver accreditation is not itself a CLOCS requirement.
FORS and CLOCS Working Together
FORS and CLOCS are closely aligned.
The CLOCS Standard states that the requirements described as Silver in the FORS Standard demonstrate compliance with the fleet-operator requirements of CLOCS.
For operators already working towards FORS Silver, this can therefore provide a practical route towards demonstrating the fleet-management and vehicle-safety requirements expected by CLOCS.
Vehicle Safety Equipment for CLOCS Operations
Vehicle safety equipment is only one part of CLOCS compliance, but it plays an important role in reducing the risk posed by construction vehicles to pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
Depending on the vehicle, existing specification and accreditation route, suitable equipment may include:
- camera monitoring systems
- Blind Spot Information Systems (BSIS)
- Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS)
- audible manoeuvring warnings
- rear and side camera systems
- side under-run protection
- warning signage
- DVR and multi-camera recording systems
Vtech Systems can assess equipment already installed on individual vehicles or fleets and advise on additional vehicle safety systems that may be required to support the relevant FORS Silver and CLOCS fleet safety requirements.
Already Equipped for DVS or FORS?
Vehicles already fitted with a Direct Vision Standard Progressive Safe System or equipment meeting current FORS Silver safety requirements may already have much of the safety technology required for construction logistics operations.
Rather than replacing existing equipment unnecessarily, Vtech can review the current installation and identify any additional equipment that may be required.
Learn more about the direct Vision Standard and Progressive Safe System
Important: CLOCS Is More Than Vehicle Equipment
CLOCS compliance covers more than vehicle safety equipment. It also includes responsibilities relating to fleet management, drivers, site operations, procurement and construction logistics. Vtech Systems specialises in the vehicle safety equipment and installation elements and does not provide full CLOCS accreditation.
Current CLOCS Standard
The current standard is CLOCS Standard Version 5. Operators should always refer to the latest CLOCS Standard and project-specific contractual requirements when determining compliance.
For a comprehensive UK installation by one of our qualified technicians, on any number of vehicles, please Contact Us.