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Hi All, I have a question about Commercial Transport fire extinguishers I am aware that Commercial vehicles must carry a fire extinguisher by law. This includes vans, lorries, tractors, and any other vehicle weighing 3.5 tonnes or over. We carry 2kg dry powder extinguishers. We carry out inspections every month and check that they are in the green, but should we be paying someone to service them? Like we do with the office fire extinguishers? TIA
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Rank: Super forum user
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The rhetorical question really is why would we provide extinguishers, go therefore of monthly inspections but decide they would deserve the same inspection as the same type of extinguishers in other locations?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Originally Posted by: dennispollard  I am aware that Commercial vehicles must carry a fire extinguisher by law.
Is that correct? I wasnt aware of that.
I know vehicles carry some goods do under ADR, but what legislation requires other LGVs to carry FFE?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Originally Posted by: Messey Is that correct? I wasnt aware of that.
Well that started twenty minutes of internet CPD from which I personally discovered that many organisations selling extinguishers claim it is law without being able to state which one. The early Road Traffic Act did specify extinguishers in public service vehicles but this requirement does not appear in the most recent incarnation. The Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 do specify an extinguisher for mini-buses. There is a requirement under Carriage of Dangerous Goods to have extingushers relative to the load (subject to some minimums). Most application appears to be companies extending their Fire Risk Assessment under the Fire Safety Order 2005 to include vehicles as work premises. If there is a real belief a 2Kg powder is of any benefit in the event of a modern vehicle fire I would love to see the course which teaches such. Perhaps the OP can enlighten us as to the current regulation which has prompted teh thread.
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 4 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Originally Posted by: Messey Is that correct? I wasnt aware of that.
Well that started twenty minutes of internet CPD from which I personally discovered that many organisations selling extinguishers claim it is law without being able to state which one. The early Road Traffic Act did specify extinguishers in public service vehicles but this requirement does not appear in the most recent incarnation. The Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 do specify an extinguisher for mini-buses. There is a requirement under Carriage of Dangerous Goods to have extingushers relative to the load (subject to some minimums). Most application appears to be companies extending their Fire Risk Assessment under the Fire Safety Order 2005 to include vehicles as work premises. If there is a real belief a 2Kg powder is of any benefit in the event of a modern vehicle fire I would love to see the course which teaches such. Perhaps the OP can enlighten us as to the current regulation which has prompted teh thread.
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4 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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just to be clear unless the transport unit falls under Dangerous Goods legislation (and some place fire extinguishers on board to provide that flexibility) there is no requirements to fit extingishers. The question however was about maintainance and yes they need to be manintained annually.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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ADR regs require extinguishers in vehicles carrying dangerous goods. Only small exys are required, 2 X 2K Dry powder is suggested. They are required to tackle only small fires.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Originally Posted by: Roundtuit Originally Posted by: Messey Is that correct? I wasnt aware of that.
Well that started twenty minutes of internet CPD from which I personally discovered that many organisations selling extinguishers claim it is law without being able to state which one. The early Road Traffic Act did specify extinguishers in public service vehicles but this requirement does not appear in the most recent incarnation. The Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 do specify an extinguisher for mini-buses. There is a requirement under Carriage of Dangerous Goods to have extingushers relative to the load (subject to some minimums). Most application appears to be companies extending their Fire Risk Assessment under the Fire Safety Order 2005 to include vehicles as work premises. If there is a real belief a 2Kg powder is of any benefit in the event of a modern vehicle fire I would love to see the course which teaches such. Perhaps the OP can enlighten us as to the current regulation which has prompted teh thread.
Thank you Roundtuit. I thought I had missed something - maybe some change to the legislation or something!
As far as I can see, Article 6(1) e of the FSO still applies which states vehicles are not included. Even if they did, a fire extinguisher would not be compulsory
The FSO is all about reducing the risk to keep relevant persons 'safe'.
Encouraging anyone - who was, or could be in a place of safety - to return to fight a vehicle fire with a 2kg DP extinguisher does the opposite.
Sometimes the walk away policy is the only way
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Rank: Super forum user
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Messey it all depends on what and how big is the fire. Many years ago I used DP on vehicle engine fires by firing the powder through the front grill. Admittedly only a small fire but it did the trick. Then opened the bonnet and emptied the powder on the engine. No way would I recommend fighting a well established fire using DP.
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