The mandatory standard prescribes requirements for the design, construction, performance and provision of instructions for vehicle jacks.
About vehicle jacks
The mandatory standard for vehicle jacks applies to a device designed to raise a vehicle. Vehicle jacks covered by the mandatory standard include:
- hydraulic jacks
- lever jacks
- pantograph (scissor) jacks
- screw jacks
- caravan/trailer jacks
- high lift jacks.
The mandatory standard prescribes requirements for the design, construction, performance and provision of instructions for vehicle jacks.
There is a separate mandatory standard for trolley jacks.
Mandatory standard
Consumer Protection Notice No. 1 of 2010 sets out the mandatory requirements for vehicle jacks.
The mandatory standard is based on certain sections of the voluntary Australian/New Zealand Standard, AS/NZS 2693 Vehicle jacks. AS/NZS 2693 is available from SAI Global.
Key requirements
These requirements aim to provide an overview of the mandatory standard. Suppliers must not rely on this information as a complete guide to compliance.
Design and construction
Materials
Vehicle jacks must have enough strength to withstand the forces and pressures associated with their full range of uses.
Protective coatings
Except for connecting surfaces or sliding parts, the jack must have a suitable corrosion protective coating.
Baseplate dimensions
The area of contact surface of the base of a vehicle jack must meet dimensional requirements.
Head cap
The head cap or lifting surface of a vehicle jack must meet dimensional and stability requirements, and must be able to engage securely with the vehicle’s chassis.
Stability
The jack must remain stable and correctly located with respect to the vehicle at all times during its use.
Prevention of over travel
The jack must be provided with either:
- a positive stop to prevent the lifting arm of the jack being raised beyond the height it is designed to achieve
- the design of the jack must be such that 'over travel' is effectively prevented.
Minimum height
A vehicle jack supplied with a vehicle must be capable of lifting the model of vehicle it is designed to lift.
Where the weight of a caravan falls within the jack's specified capacity, a caravan/trailer jack must:
- be capable of lifting any vehicle, caravan or trailer that has appropriate engagement points fitted
- lift the vehicle from a position where any one wheel with a completely deflated tyre is resting on the ground, to a position where a replacement wheel with a new fully inflated tyre can be fitted.
Testing
The mandatory standard specifies testing to ensure vehicle jacks meet requirements such as construction, design, performance, markings and instructions for use. Suppliers need to organise this testing through specialist laboratories.
Performance
Durability
When subjected to a durability test, the jack must not fail or become unserviceable.
Lowering
The operator must be able to use the jack to control the descent of the load without hazard to the operator or damage to the jack.
Loss of height with time
When subjected to a load for a specified time, the loss of height of the head cap of the jack must not exceed 5 mm.
Overload capacity
The jack must hold an excess load for a specified time without collapsing or losing more than 5 per cent of the height of the load.
Minimum capacity
The following jacks must have a minimum nominated capacity, according to the mandatory standard:
- general purpose jacks—no less than 750 kg
- specific vehicle jacks
- high lift jacks
- caravan/trailer jacks.
Safety markings
Specific vehicle jacks
Specific vehicle jacks must be permanently and legibly marked with the following information:
- the name or trademark of the vehicle manufacturer
- the model or model designations of vehicles for the jacks intended use
- clear and adequate instructions for operating the jack. Please note that the instructions may be provided in pictogram form
- advice to consult the vehicle's owner's manual for further instructions. Please note that this advice may be provided in pictogram form
- for hydraulic jacks, a statement specifying:
- the correct hydraulic fluid for use with the jack
- a requirement to keep the jack at the recommended level
- warning advice against getting under a vehicle that is supported by a jack
- warning advice, in pictogram form, against getting under a vehicle that is supported by a jack, where the pictogram shows either:
- a figure under a jack crossed out —see Example 1
- a side view of a person lying on the ground and partially or wholly underneath a side view of a vehicle supported by a jack.—see Example 2.
Example 1
Example 2
Jacks other than specific vehicle jacks
Jacks other than specific vehicle jacks must be permanently and legibly marked with the following information:
- the name and address in Australia or New Zealand of the manufacturer, importer or other supplier of the jack
- the nominated capacity in kilograms stated as 'Working Load Limit…kg'
- clear and adequate instructions regarding the operation of the jack
- the manufacturing batch identification.
All other vehicle jacks
Additional marking requirements are required for the following jacks:
- high lift jacks
- jacks other than high lift jacks
- hydraulic jacks
- caravan jacks
- trailer jacks.
Packaging marking
For general purpose jacks, high lift jacks and caravan/trailer jacks, the following information must be clearly marked on the packaging of the jack, or if there is no packaging, on a leaflet attached to the jack:
- 'height lowered' which is the minimum height of the head cap in millimetres
- 'height raised' which is the maximum height of the head cap in millimetres
- nominated capacity in kilograms stated as 'Working Load Limit…kg'
- supply of maintenance instructions including:
- any necessary procedures for maintenance
- lubrication requirements
- details for servicing the hydraulic system, if any.
Instructions for safe use for general and specific purpose jacks
Instructions for safe use for general and specific purpose jacks must include the following:
- the jack should be used on level firm ground wherever possible
- the wheels of the vehicle to be chocked
- no person should place any portion of his or her body under a vehicle supported by a jack
- no person should remain in a vehicle that is being jacked.
Instructions for safe use for high lift jacks
Instructions for safe use for high lift jacks must include the following:
- no person should place any portion of his or her body under a vehicle that is supported by a jack
- the following warning, or words to the same effect, for high lift jacks only:
- 'This jack must have a minimum load of 'X' kg on it to lower step-by-step, otherwise the lifting mechanism will slide down to the base plate dropping the vehicle.' Please note that manufacturer should nominate the load stated.
Instructions for safe use for caravan/trailer jacks
Instructions for safe use of caravan/trailer jacks must include the following:
- the jack should be used on level firm ground wherever possible
- it is recommended that the wheels of the caravan/trailer be chocked
- no person should remain in a caravan/trailer supported by a jack
- no person should place any portion of his or her body under a caravan/trailer supported by a jack
- the caravan/trailer should be attached to the towing vehicle.
