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ADR 2007 Vehicle Safety Legislation

ADR vehicles over 7.5 tonnes will be required to carry extra fire extinguisher capacity up to a total minimum of 12kg dry powder (or equivalent). This is up from the previous total of 8kg. These vehicles must have a minimum of a 2kg in cab extinguisher which counts toward the total load space extinguisher capacity of 12kg. One extinguisher must be at least 6kg.

ADR is the term used to describe the “European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR)”. The agreement is made under the auspices of the Inland Transport Committee of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

Parties to the Agreement undertake that, subject to certain reservations, the international transport by road of dangerous goods will be permitted through their territory. This is on the condition that the goods are packed and labelled in accordance with the Agreement, are carried in vehicles that comply with the provisions of the agreement, and are driven by suitably trained drivers.

Currently Northern Ireland vehicles involved in the International Transport Of Dangerous Goods are required to be tested under the ADR Agreement and these vehicles can currently apply to be tested by VOSA in GB. The following abstract from the agreement details the requirements for fire Protection and Safety equipment . To view the whole ADR legislation visit http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/adr/adr2007/07ContentsE.html

(a) Every transport unit shall be equipped with at least one portable fire extinguisher for the inflammability classes 1 A, B and C, with a minimum capacity of 2 kg dry powder (or an equivalent capacity for any other suitable extinguishant agent) suitable for fighting a fire in the engine or cab of the transport unit;

equivalent capacity for any other suitable extinguishing agent);

(c) The capacity of the fire extinguisher(s) required under (a) may be deducted from the minimum total capacity of the extinguishers required under (b).

8.1.4.2 Transport units carrying dangerous goods in accordance with 1.1.3.6 shall be equipped with one portable fire extinguisher for the inflammability classes 1 A, B and C, with a minimum capacity of 2 kg dry powder (or an equivalent capacity for any other suitable extinguishing agent).

relevant requirements of EN 3 Portable fire extinguishers, Parts 1 to 6 (EN 3-1:1996, EN 3-2:1996, EN 3-3:1994, EN 3-4:1996, EN 3-5:1996, EN 3-6:1995).

In addition, they shall bear a mark of compliance with a standard recognized by a competent authority and an inscription at least indicating the date (month, year) of the next recurrent inspection or of the maximum permissible period of use, as applicable.

8.1.4.5 The fire extinguishers shall be installed on the transport units in a way that they are easily accessible to the vehicle crew. The installation shall be carried out in such a way that the fire extinguishers shall be protected against effects of the weather so that their operational safety is not affected.