South East hire firms lukewarm on DPFs

Some plant hire firms in the South East would consider supplying machines fitted with diesel particulate filters (DPFs) to sites like the Olympics, but only if certain conditions were met, according to a Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) survey.

The association surveyed more than 500 members based in London and the Home Counties and the above-average replies showed 90% of respondents would like to provide machinery for such high-profile sites.

However, half of those replying were not prepared to fit DPFs to their machinery, while the others want various assurances, including that the outlay would be recouped (split equally between up-front charges and increased hire rates).

More than 90% of respondents required written confirmation of conformity to PUWER and almost the same proportion wouldn't install DPFs if they invalidated any warranties.

Over 70% would fit a DPF if there was a 'Letter of no Objection' from the engine/machine manufacturers, with around 60% happy to proceed if the filter manufacturer gave written assurance it wouldn't damage the engine.

Most respondents specified a minimum hire period of over six months for machines with DPFs and almost half felt they could find subsequent jobs for the machine with the filter in place.

CPA chief executive Colin Wood said: "We still believe the requirement to fit DPFs is disproportionate for the 0.25% of PM10 emissions that UK construction plant contributes to air pollution in the EU15."