If you drive commercial vehicles, you must follow the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) fire extinguisher requirements. These DOT guidelines were enacted to have an extinguishing agent available in the event of a commercial vehicle accident.
Compliance with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) is mandatory, though the type of fire extinguisher needed will depend on your state of operations as well as the type of commercial vehicle involved.
Simplex Group can help ensure that you comply with DOT requirements for fire extinguishers. We provide key services for DOT compliance, training, certification, and more. In this blog post, we explain the requirements for fire extinguishers and emergency equipment, plus how to inspect and maintain your fire extinguishers.
DOT Fire Extinguisher Requirements
Every fire extinguisher must meet DOT requirements set by the U.S. Department of Transportation. DOT regulations for fire extinguishers require that all trucks, truck tractors, and buses be equipped with a fire extinguisher that meets DOT requirements.
Here are the standards that these fire extinguishers must meet:
Fire Extinguisher Size
All fire extinguishers need to range from a minimum capacity of 2.5 pounds and not over 40 pounds. They are required to be less than 18 inches in height and can’t exceed 8.5 inches in diameter.
Fire Extinguisher Weight
All fire extinguishers serving as emergency equipment on commercial vehicles are limited to being no more than 50 pounds, including the extinguishing agents in this total weight.
Fire Extinguisher Lifespan
Pressurized fire extinguishers all have an average effective lifespan that generally provides 12 years from the actual date the fire extinguisher is manufactured. Once a fire extinguisher is installed, it must undergo inspection and maintenance to ensure it works.
Other Conditions a Fire Extinguisher Must Meet
Every fire extinguisher must be securely mounted and easily accessible in commercial vehicles at all times. Roadside inspections will often check to ensure that fire extinguishers adhere to the requirements and check for a gauge that shows they are fully charged. The fire extinguisher must also display a label with its Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) rating.
Special Considerations for Trucks That Transport Hazardous Materials
For any vehicles carrying hazardous materials, two fire extinguishers must have a UL rating of 4 B:C or more, and one fire extinguisher installed must have a UL rating of 10 B:C. Whether you need one extinguisher or two fire extinguishers, check to make sure you’re complying.
In an ideal world, you will never have to use any fire extinguisher or other corrosive extinguishing agent in your truck. However, if a fire or another emergency arises with your vehicle, you will be glad you have it equipped for your safety as well as the safety of others.
Inspecting and Maintaining Fire Extinguishers to Meet Federal DOT Standards
It’s the responsibility of every CDL driver to be prepared for fire or any other hazards while driving. An ABC-rated or multi-purpose dry chemical fire extinguisher is required for these drivers. This type of fire extinguisher can be safely used on combustible materials, flammable materials, and electrical fires.
Emergency warning devices may also be helpful, though some states require them while others do not. Check exceptions, rules, and regulations for your vehicle in your state. Additionally, you should make sure to inspect and maintain fire extinguishers at regular intervals.
Look for:
- Signs of corrosion or damage
- Check the pressure
- The inspection date clearly marked on the label (should state that it meets the requirements of DOT)
You should also check to make sure it hasn’t been more than a year since it was last inspected. In the event of a fire, you will want to be sure that it works.
What Is Considered a DOT Fire Extinguisher Violation?
The regulations set by the DOT to regulate fire extinguishers are incredibly strict. Fires and explosions can quickly turn deadly, and having a proper extinguisher in place can be critical in urgent moments. Fire extinguishers must always be functioning and in an easy-to-access location in the vehicle.
Additionally, all vehicles equipped with fire extinguishers must be maintained and inspected. This equipment must never be marked with expired tags. Outdated fire extinguishers must be replaced for your safety.
Commercial vehicles must also have posted signs on the proper use of fire extinguishers. Most people have never encountered a fire. These details must be clearly displayed in the event of an emergency.
What happens if you do not follow these guidelines set by the DOT? First and foremost, you’ll be compromising your safety as well as the safety of all others sharing the roads with you. Beyond that, you’ll be subjecting yourself to massive fines. There is also a possibility that you may face criminal penalties for failure to follow these requirements. All businesses and organizations that require this equipment should make sure they maintain their fire extinguishers.
Best Way to Stay Up-to-Date with DOT
Since the DOT mandates are complex and you may not be sure which extinguisher you need or how many to equip in each truck, it’s easy to fall out of compliance. Staying current with these regulations is a must, and there is no better way than to choose a partner that can ensure you are meeting all regulatory updates and following proper protocols for extinguishers.
Simplex Group provides the support you need to keep your business running nationwide. You’ll find everything you need to move forward in the trucking industry to ensure you are compliant with all regulatory requirements in your state and across the country. Contact us today for solutions to keep you aligned with the DOT.