When a fire occurs in a commercial motor vehicle the driver must know two things

1. Knowledge about fires.
2. How to operate a fire extinguisher.

Fire safety and fire extinguisher operation should be part of every new driver’s orientation program.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations require that all commercial motor vehicles have a fire extinguisher on board that is of the correct size, type and properly secured and labeled. Did you know that a CMV with hazardous materials is required to have a different size extinguisher than those not carrying hazardous material?

What are the emergency equipment requirements on all power units?

Code of Federal Regulations -https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-393/subpart-H/section-393.95

Each truck, truck tractor, and bus (except those towed in driveaway-towaway operations) must be equipped as follows:

(a) Fire Extinguishers.

(a)(1) Minimum ratings:

• A power unit that is used to transport hazardous materials in a quantity that requires placarding must be equipped with a fire extinguisher having an Underwriters’ Laboratories rating of 10 B:C or more.
• A power unit that is not used to transport hazardous materials must be equipped with either:
• A fire extinguisher having an Underwriters’ Laboratories rating of 5 B:C or more.

Labeling and marking. Each fire extinguisher required by this section must be labeled or marked by the manufacturer with its Underwriters’ Laboratories rating.

Visual Indicators. The fire extinguisher must be designed, constructed, and maintained to permit visual determination of whether it is fully charged.

Condition, location, and mounting. The fire extinguisher(s) must be filled and located so that it is readily accessible for use. The extinguisher(s) must be securely mounted to prevent sliding, rolling, or vertical movement relative to the motor vehicle.