Emergency Equipment on all Power Units – 49 CFR 393.95

FMCSA Regulations for CMV

Emergency Equipment on all Power Units – 49 CFR 393.95

Daniel Stoehr
December 24, 2013

Pursuant to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) at 49 CFR 393.95, each truck, truck tractor, and bus (except those towed in driveaway-towaway operations) must be equipped with the following:

  • Fire extinguishers.
  • Spare fuses.
  • Warning devices for stopped vehicles.

The purpose of this article is to further explain the requirements and restrictions of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations for Emergency Equipment on all Power Units at 49 CFR 393.95.

 Fire Extinguishers:
  • If the power unit is used to transport a placardable amount of hazardous material, then it must be equipped with a fire extinguisher with an Underwriters’ Laboratories rating of 10 B:C or more.
  • If the power unit is not used to transport hazardous material, then it must be equipped with either:
    • A fire extinguisher with an Underwriters’ Laboratories rating of 5 B”C or more; or,
    • Two fire extinguishers, each of which has an Underwriters’ Laboratories rating of 4 B:C or more.
  • Each fire extinguisher must:
    • Be labeled or marked by the manufacturer with its Underwriters’ Laboratories rating.
    • Be designed, constructed, and maintained to permit visual determination of whether it is fully charged.
    • Be filled and located to be readily accessible for use.
    • Be securely mounted.
    • Use an extinguishing agent that does not need protection from freezing.
    • Use an extinguishing agent that complies with the toxicity provisions of the USEPA Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) regulations pursuant to 40 CFR 82, Subpart G.
  • The requirement for a fire extinguisher does not apply to the driven unit in a driveaway-towaway operation.
Spare Fuses:
  • If fuses are needed to operate any required parts or accessories of the power unit, at least one spare fuse is required for each type/size of fuse needed.
Warning Devices for Stopped Vehicles:
  • Options include:
    • Three bidirectional emergency reflective triangles that conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 125, § 571.125; or
    • At least 6 fusees or 3 liquid-burning flares.  Vehicle must have as many additional fusees or liquid-burning flares as are necessary to satisfy the requirement of §392.22 – Emergency Signals; Stopped Commercial Motor Vehicles.
    • Other warning devices may be used in addition to, but not in lieu of the required warning devices.  Other warning devices must not decrease the effectiveness of the required warning devices.  Red flags, if used, shall not be less than 12 inches square and able to maintain an upright position.
  • Liquid-burning flares, fusees, oil lanterns, or any signal produced by a flame shall not be carried on:
    • Any commercial motor vehicle transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, & 1.3 (Explosives).
    • Any cargo tank motor vehicle (loaded or empty) used for the transportation of Division 2.1 (Flammable Gas) or Class 3 (Flammable Liquid).
    • Any commercial motor vehicle using compressed gas as a motor fuel.
  • Requirements for fusees and liquid-burning flares:
    • Each fusee shall be capable of burning for 30 minutes.
    • Each liquid-burning flare shall contain enough fuel to burn continuously for at least 60 minutes.
    • Fusees and liquid-burning flares shall conform to the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
    • Each fusee and liquid-burning flare shall be marked with the UL symbol per UL 912.

These are just one of the regulations that apply to the operations of a Carrier of hazardous materials.  Another requirement, and one I can help you with, is the requirement to triennially train your drivers as HazMat Employees.  Contact me with questions about the regulations of the FMCSA or the PHMSA regarding the transportation of hazardous materials.