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.
To meet the new requirements qualifying ADR vehicles can install a single 9Kg Dry Powder extinguisher in a front or top loading Vehicle cabinet and employ a 4Kg Dry powder or 2 x 2Kg equivalent Class A,B,C extinguishers mounted in the cab. For older vehicles which currently have 2Kg cab extinguishers the ADR requirements are likely to require installing a further vehicle cabinet and 4 or 6 Kg dry powder extinguisher to meet the 12Kg capacity. The fire extinguishers have to be installed on the transport units in such a way that (i) the crew can get to them easily: and (ii) their operational safety is not affected by the weather. In practice this means housing the extinguishers in purpose made cabinets. These are available in sizes to accommodate up to 9Kg/L fire extinguishers. The ADR extinguisher capacity for vehicles 3 tonnes to 7.5 tonnes is 8Kg and below 3 tonnes 4Kg. A full range of fire extinguishers, vehicle cabinets and safety equipment can be purchased at www.fireandsafetycentre.co.uk. There is also guidance on other safety measures including carrying effective reflective Road Warning Triangles, Cones or beacons, torches and high visibility vests.
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.
ANNEX B ADR2007 PROVISIONS CONCERNING TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT AND TRANSPORT OPERATIONS PART 8 Requirements for vehicle crews, equipment, operation and documentation
CHAPTER 8.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING TRANSPORT UNITS AND EQUIPMENT ON BOARD 8.1.4.1 The following provisions apply to transport units carrying dangerous goods other than those referred to in 8.1.4.2:
(a) Every transport unit shall be equipped with at least one portable fire extinguisher for the inflammability classes 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;
(b) Additional equipment is required as follows: (i) for transport units with a maximum permissible mass of more than 7.5 tonnes, one or more portable fire extinguishers for the inflammability classes 1 A, B and C, with a minimum total capacity of 12 kg dry powder (or an equivalent capacity for any other suitable extinguishing agent), of which at least one shall have a minimum capacity of 6 kg; (ii) for transport units with a maximum permissible mass of more than 3.5 tonnes up to and including 7.5 tonnes, one or more portable fire extinguishers for the inflammability classes A, B and C, with a minimum total capacity of 8 kg dry powder (or an equivalent capacity for any other suitable extinguishing agent), of which at least one shall have a minimum capacity of 6 kg; (iii) for transport units with a maximum permissible mass of up to and including 3.5 tonnes, one or more portable fire extinguishers for the inflammability classes 1 A, B and C with a minimum total capacity of 4 kg dry powder (or an 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).
8.1.4.3 The extinguishing agent shall be suitable for use on a vehicle and shall comply with the 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).
If the vehicle is equipped with a fixed fire extinguisher, automatic or easily brought into action for fighting a fire in the engine, the portable extinguisher need not be suitable for fighting a fire in the engine. The extinguishing agents shall be such that they are not liable to release toxic gases into the drivers cab or under the influence of the heat of the fire. 8.1.4.4 The portable fire extinguishers conforming to the provisions of 8.1.4.1 or 8.1.4.2 shall be fitted with a seal verifying that they have not been used.
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.
For the definition of the inflammability classes, see Standard EN 2:1992 Classification of fires. – 559 – The fire extinguishers shall be subjected to periodic inspections in accordance with authorized national standards in order to guarantee their functional safety.
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.
8.1.5 Miscellaneous equipment Every transport unit carrying dangerous goods shall be equipped with: (a) The following general purpose safety equipment: – For each vehicle, at least one chock of a size suited to the weight of the vehicle and to the diameter of the wheels; – Two self-standing warning signs (e.g. reflective cones or triangles or flashing amber lights which are independent from the electrical equipment of the vehicle); – A suitable warning vest or warning clothing (e.g. as described in European Standard EN 471) for each member of the vehicle crew; – A pocket lamp (see also 8.3.4) for each member of the vehicle crew; (b) A respiratory protective device in conformity with additional requirement S7(see Chapter 8.5) if this additional requirement applies according to the indication in Column (19) of Table A of Chapter 3.2; (c) The personal protection and the equipment necessary to take the additional and/or special actions referred to in the instructions in writing set out in 5.4.3.
