General Knowledge · Fires
What fire extinguisher rating does federal regulation require for a power unit designed or used to transport hazardous materials that must be placarded?
1.A rating of at least UL 10 B:C, higher than the single 5 B:C extinguisher or the two 4 B:C extinguishers permitted for a non-hazmat power unitCorrect answer
2.The same single 5 B:C extinguisher, or two 4 B:C extinguishers, already allowed for a non-hazmat power unit, with no increase for hazmat
3.A larger water-based extinguisher is required instead, but with no specific UL rating required for it under this section
4.There is no federal difference at all; only the state driver manual suggests a higher rating for hazmat placarded units
Explanation
A power unit designed or used to transport placarded hazardous materials must carry a fire extinguisher rated at least UL 10 B:C under 49 CFR 393.95(a)(1)(i), a higher minimum than the single 5 B:C extinguisher or two 4 B:C extinguishers that 393.95(a)(1)(ii) permits for a power unit not hauling hazardous materials. The wrong options each understate the requirement: the rating is not the same across both vehicle types even counting the two-extinguisher alternative, the requirement specifies a UL rating rather than leaving the extinguisher type unspecified, and the higher rating is a federal requirement, not merely a state manual suggestion.
Source: 49 CFR 393.95(a)(1)(i) and (ii)
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